Transition: Ben E King
 

Another great voice silenced with the passing of Ben E King. Solo big hit was Stand By Me and sang lead with the Drifters. R.I.P. soul man

Ben E King, the soul singer whose classic song Stand By Me became a worldwide hit in 1961, has died aged 76.

King, who lived in New Jersey, died of natural causes on Thursday, his publicist Phil Brown said.

King began his music career as a lead vocalist for The Drifters, in the 1950s, singing on such hits as There Goes My Baby and Save The Last Dance For Me.

His hit Stand By Me was intended for the Drifters, but ended up being recorded as a solo effort, charting in the US top five in 1961.

The song has since charted in the US nine times, King's version twice, as well as seven covers from artists including John Lennon and Maurice White.

Hate to see the good ones go ... but, hopefully one day we'll get to hear them again. RIP Ben.