Benjamin Earl King (September 28, 1938 – April 30, 2015), professionally known by his pseudonym Ben E. King, was an American soul and R&B singer. He was perhaps best known as the singer and co-composer of “Stand by Me”-a US Top 10 hit, both in 1961 and later in 1986 (when it was used as the theme to the film of the same name), a number one hit in the UK in 1987, and #25 on the RIAA’s list of Songs of the Century-and as one of the principal lead singers of the R&B vocal group the Drifters.
Ben E. King cause of death
It was announced on May 1, 2015, that King had died at the Hackensack University Medical Center on April 30, 2015, at the age of 76. His agent said he suffered from “coronary problems” at the time of his death. King was survived by his wife of 51 years, Betty.
Stand By Me, Ben E King, 1961
Ben E. King and The Drifters – There Goes My Baby