BY MEG WAGNER —- NOAM GALAI/WIREIM— Soul singer Ben E. King, best known for his 1961 hit ‘Stand By Me,’ has died. He was 76 years old.The North Carolina-born R&B legend died Thursday of natural causes, his agent told the Telegraph.King rose to fame in the 1950s as a member of the Drifters. The soul group produced hits such as “There Goes My Baby” and “Save The Last Dance For Me.”He later broke away and started his solo act. His 1961 hit “Stand By Me” quickly topped the U.S. charts. It became a top-10 hit again in 1986, when it was used in the film of the same name starring River Phoenix. MICHAEL OCHS ARCHIVESEnlarge GILLES PETARD/REDFERNS– King was best known for his 1961 hit, ‘Stand by Me’ Fellow singer Gary U.S. Bonds paid tribute to the singer on Facebook early … Read entire article »