<P> Benjamin Earl King ( born Benjamin Earl Nelson , September 28 , 1938 -- April 30 , 2015 ) , known as Ben E. King , was an American soul and R&B singer and record producer . He was perhaps best known as the singer and co-composer of `` Stand by Me '' -- a US Top 10 hit , both in 1961 and later in 1986 ( when it was used as the theme to the film of the same name ) , a number one hit in the UK in 1987 , and no . 25 on the RIAA 's list of Songs of the Century -- and as one of the principal lead singers of the R&B vocal group the Drifters notably singing the lead vocals of one of their biggest global hit singles ( and only U.S. # 1 hit ) `` Save the Last Dance for Me '' . </P>
<P> Benjamin Earl King ( born Benjamin Earl Nelson , September 28 , 1938 -- April 30 , 2015 ) , known as Ben E. King , was an American soul and R&B singer and record producer . He was perhaps best known as the singer and co-composer of `` Stand by Me '' -- a US Top 10 hit , both in 1961 and later in 1986 ( when it was used as the theme to the film of the same name ) , a number one hit in the UK in 1987 , and no . 25 on the RIAA 's list of Songs of the Century -- and as one of the principal lead singers of the R&B vocal group the Drifters notably singing the lead vocals of one of their biggest global hit singles ( and only U.S. # 1 hit ) `` Save the Last Dance for Me '' . </P>
who was the original artist that sang stand by me
who was the original artist that sang stand by me
Benjamin Earl King ( born Benjamin Earl Nelson , September 28 , 1938 -- April 30 , 2015 ) , known as Ben E. King
Benjamin Earl King ( born Benjamin Earl Nelson , September 28 , 1938 -- April 30 , 2015 ) , known as Ben E. King