John Martyn Dies

Folk legend and world music icon John Martyn has passed away.

Rumours had surrounded the legendary singer for sometime, with the news being made public on his official website. A short statement reads "With heavy heart and an unbearable sense of loss we must announce that John died this morning."

Born in Surrey, Martyn grew up in Scotland before travelling to join the energetic London folk scene. What Martyn discovered was a bohemian explosion of folk, jazz, rock, art and politics, churning out fantastic work on a daily basis.

His uniquely laidback drawl was twinned with a laconic picking style. Early album 'London Conversation' marked his influences as being West Coast songwriters such as Jackson Browne, as well as Dylan's early folk albums.

But his divorce from wife Beverly, coupled with discovering long term musical partner Danny Thompson seemed to suddenly free his music. Martyn's 70s output consists of several classic albums as the singer moved away from the folk scene and into strange new areas.

His distinctive echo laden guitar work proved to be highly influential, while a collaboration with legendary Jamaican producer Lee 'Scratch' Perry finished with some stunning results.

In later years Martyn fell into alcoholism, and eventually had a leg amputated due to ongoing health problems.

John Martyn has died, aged 60.