Renowned singer-songwriter John Martyn has died aged 60.
The musician, who had lived in Kilkenny for a number of years, died today, a message on his website said.
"With heavy heart and an unbearable sense of loss we must announce that John died this morning," the message said.
Over a forty-year career he released over 20 studio albums and collaborated with many leading musicians including Lee 'Scratch' Perry, David Gilmour, Danny Thompson and Phil Collins.
Martyn was born Iain David McGeachy on 11th September 1948 in New Malden, Surrey, the only son of two light opera singers. His early childhood was spent in Glasgow.
He signed to Chris Blackwell's Island Records in 1967 and his debut album,
London Conversationwas released that same year.
Martyn's 1973 album
Solid Air,which included the song
May You Never, became one of the best known albums of the 1970s. In 1999 the album was voted as one of the best chill-out albums of all time in
Q Magazine
His 1980 album Grace and Danger, which dealt with the end of his marriage, was initially refused a release by label boss Blackwell who found it too openly disturbing to release. He only relented following sustained pressure from Martyn.
Martyn's drinking and drug use exacted a heavy cost on his health, which culminated in the loss of a leg to septicaemia in 2003.
To mark Martyn's 60th birthday Island released career-spanning 4CD boxed set,
Ain't No Saintlast year. At the beginning of 2009 he was appointed an OBE in the New Year Honours.
