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British Singer-Songwriter John Martyn Dies at 60

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John Martyn, a mainstay of the British folk boom of the late '60s and early '70s, has died in Ireland at age 60. The cause of his death is undisclosed. Martyn recently had health problems most likely related to his history of alcoholism and drug abuse, and was wheelchair-bound after a recent leg amputation.

Throughout his four-decade career, the English-born and Scottish-raised singer, songwriter and guitarist melded American jazz and blues with rock and traditional British folk to fashion a new musical tradition. His songcraft and musicianship, as found on albums such as his 1973 classic 'Solid Air,' won him comparisons to contemporaries such as Nick Drake, and the admiration of rock luminaries including Eric Clapton, David Gilmour and Phil Collins, all of whom he has collaborated with. Among his other achievements and awards, Martyn just this year was named an Officer of the British Empire.

Dearly Departed Musicians

    John Martyn, Jan. 29: The acclaimed British singer-songwriter, who worked alongside the likes of Eric Clapton and Phil Collins and released 20 albums throughout a 40-year career, died at a hospital in Ireland. He was 60.

    Samir Hussein, Getty Images

    Billy Powell, Jan. 27: The longtime Lynyrd Skynyrd keyboardist, who survived the beloved band's deadly plane crash in 1977, died at his home in Florida of undisclosed causes. He was 56.

    Michael Bush, WireImage

    Charlie Cooper, Jan. 22: The Telefon Tel Aviv star, left, was 31. The cause of death is currently unknown.

    Bpitch Control

    David 'Fathead' Newman, Jan. 20: The tenor sax player not only played with Ray Charles and other legends, but also had a successful solo career. He died of pancreatic cancer at 75.

    Getty Images

    Pedro Aguilar, Jan. 13: The mambo dancing legend known to most as 'Cuban Pete' was one of the genre's leading men in the 1950s. He died at the age of 81.

    AP Photo/The Miami Herald, Raul Rubiera

    Ron Asheton, Jan. 6: Along with Iggy Pop, left, the guitarist helped define the Detroit garage rock sound with the beloved Stooges. Although it hasn't been made official, it's believed that Asheton suffered a heart attack at his Ann Arbor, Mich. home. He was 60.

    Harold Cunningham, WireImage

    Freddie Hubbard, Dec. 29: The 'hard bop' jazz trumpet legend who worked with greats like John Coltrane, Ornette Coleman and Art Blakey during his prime died more than a month after suffering a heart attack on Nov. 20. He was 70 years old.

    Tom Copi, Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images

    Delaney Bramlett, Dec. 27: The accomplished singer, songwriter and producer to such stars as George Harrison and Eric Clapton died at the age of 69 after complications from gallbladder surgery. He's seen here (right) in 1970 with Grateful Dead frontman Jerry Garcia (left).

    AP

    Eartha Kitt, Dec. 25: The sultry 'Santa Baby' songstress who went on to have a long career in music, movies and on stage died on Christmas day after a long battle with colon cancer.

    Jamie McCarthy, WireImage.com

    Davy Graham, Dec. 15: The folk singer known and respected across the music world for his nimble fingers and innovative use of tuning, died from a seizure in his London home. He was 68, and also had a long battle lung cancer.

    Chris Mills, Redferns / Retna

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