Ben E. King was the lead singer of The Drifters, and later went solo with such hits as "Stand By Me" and "Spanish Harlem." He died 2015. Originally broadcast in 1988.

Ben E. King, the singer behind the hit song "Stand By Me," died on Thursday, his booking agent, Randy Irwin, confirmed to ABC News.

1. Stand By Me There’s no way to talk about Ben E. King without starting with “Stand By Me.” Released in 1961, this song isn’t just a career-defining hit — it’s an American classic ...

“Stand By Me,” which was first performed on April 12, 1961, was written by the triumvirate of Ben E. King, Jerry Leiber, and Mike Stoller. The latter two wrote under the moniker Elmo Glick ...

Sean Kingston's "Beautiful Girls" samples Ben E. King's "Stand By Me" even though people advised Kingston against using the sample.

Written by King and the legendary songwriting duo of Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, “Stand By Me” was released in 1961 after King parted ways with his group the Drifters to pursue a solo ...

Ben E. King's "Stand by Me" is famous, but was it eclipsed by John Lennon's cover on the pop charts?

The Kyoto-born Cali native Yoodoo Park, also known as GRMLN, has taken Ben E. King’s classic record and given it an airy lift with his minimalist approach.