Ben E. King has died at the age of 76. Dozens of celebrities have paid tribute to the late soul singer on social media and have mourned the loss of "one of the greats".

Ben E. King, the soul singer best known for the 1960 hit single 'Stand By Me', has died at the age of 76. King died on Thursday (30th April), his publicist confirmed to NBC. Details regarding his cause of death are yet to be released.

Ben E King Ben E. King has died at the age of 76.

The singer was born Benjamin Earl Nelson in Henderson, North Carolina. Born in 1938, King moved to Harlem, New York at the age of nine. At the age of 20, King joined a doo-wop group which became known as the Drifters. King fronted the band and they had a number of R&B hits including 'There Goes My Baby' in 1959.

Continue reading: Ben E. King, 'Stand By Me' Singer, Dies Aged 76

Luke Friend - The X Factor Tour 2014 held at The SSE Hydro - Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom - Friday 28th February 2014