"Stand by Me" singer dead at age 76

Singer Ben E. King, best known for the classic song Stand by Me, has died at the age of 76, his booking agent confirmed.

Randy Irwin said King had “coronary problems” and died Thursday in New Jersey, but wouldn’t elaborate.

According to King’s website, he was born Benjamin Earl Nelson on Sept. 28, 1938 in Henderson, N.C., and moved to Harlem when he was nine.

He started his career in 1958 as a member of The Drifters, singing the lead on a number of hits like There Goes My Baby, Save the Last Dance for Me and This Magic Moment.

Due to a dispute over his contract, he left the group and launched his solo career as Ben. E. King. His first recording, Spanish Harlem, was a hit, and he followed it with Stand by Me.

He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a Drifter in 1988 and has also been nominated as a solo artist.

With files from CNN