Darling, darling stand by me: Soul singer Ben E King dies at 76

Soul singer Ben E King, famous for the hit song Stand by Me died on Thursday at the age of 76. "He passed away on Thursday," said publicist Phil Brown on Friday, adding that he was still getting details.

Soul singer Ben E King, famous for the hit song Stand by Me died on Thursday at the age of 76.

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"He passed away on Thursday," said publicist Phil Brown on Friday, adding that he was still getting details.

King, who was born in North Carolina, and known for his deep baritone voice, began his career in the doo-wop group The Five Crowns, which later became The Drifters. The group had a string of hits with Atlantic Records and were inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. King co-wrote and sang the lead on the group's first hit, There Goes My Baby, in 1959, according to his website.

King, along with Jerry Lieber and Mike Stoller, wrote the 1961 hit. R&B singer Gary U.S. Bonds, described King was "one of the sweetest, gentlest and gifted souls" he had the privilege of knowing.