Legendary R&B singer Ben E. King has died at age 76, with BBC News confirming the sad news.

Best known for the iconic “Stand By Me,”; the song he first recorded in 1961 hit the top five and then went on to become a venerable pop classic that returned to the charts in the 1980s after being used as the theme song for the film of the same name, including a three-week stint at #1 in the U.K.

“Stand By Me”; ultimately charted nine separate times on the U.S. Billboard charts, and was covered by such artists as John Lennon. In 1999, BMI declared the track to be the fourth most-played song of the 20th century on American radio and television.

King started his music career in the late 1950s as part of The Drifters, having such hits as “There Goes My Baby”; and “Save the Last Dance For Me.”; King and the rest of The Drifters were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988.

As a solo artist, other hits included “Spanish Harlem,”; “Amor,”; “Don’t Play That Song (You Lied)”; and “Supernatural Thing – Part I.”;

King’s friend and fellow singer Gary U.S. Bonds paid tribute to the singer on Facebook: “With an extremely heavy heart, I must say goodbye to one of the sweetest, gentlest and gifted souls that I have had the privilege of knowing and calling my friend for more than 50 years – Mr. Ben E. King,”; he wrote.

“Speaking for myself, my family & my Roadhouse Rockers family, I can tell you that Ben E. will be missed more than words can say. Our sincere condolences go out to Betty and the entire family,”; he added. “Thank you Ben E. for your friendship and the wonderful legacy you leave behind.”;

Global News reports that King’s manager says the singer died of natural causes at his home in New Jersey.

Actor Wil Wheaton, who was one of the child stars in Stand By Me, tweeted his recollections of the singer:

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Smokey Robinson has also released a statement, telling ET Canada, “I’m deeply touched by the passing of my good friend and brother Ben E. King and there is another soldier gone.”;