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| Songwriter Martyn dies, aged 60 | Songwriter Martyn dies, aged 60 |
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| Singer-songwriter John Martyn has died at the age of 60. | Singer-songwriter John Martyn has died at the age of 60. |
| The folk, blues and funk artist was widely regarded as one of the most soulful and innovative singer-songwriters of his generation. | The folk, blues and funk artist was widely regarded as one of the most soulful and innovative singer-songwriters of his generation. |
| He was born in Surrey but grew up in Glasgow. He was appointed an OBE in the New Year Honours. | He was born in Surrey but grew up in Glasgow. He was appointed an OBE in the New Year Honours. |
| A statement on his website on Thursday said: "With heavy heart and an unbearable sense of loss we must announce that John died this morning." | A statement on his website on Thursday said: "With heavy heart and an unbearable sense of loss we must announce that John died this morning." |
| The musican, who passed away in hospital in Ireland, has been cited as an influence by artists as varied as U2, Portishead and Eric Clapton. | |
| He was regarded as a maverick within the music industry and battled with drugs and alcohol throughout his life. | |
| Born Ian David McGreachy in Surrey in 1948, he spent his much of his formative years at his father's home in Glasgow following the divorce of his parents. | |
| Folk scene | |
| He moved to London in his late teens and became a fixture at Les Cousins - the Soho club at the centre of the city's folk scene, which also spawned the likes of Ralph McTell, Bert Jansch and Al Stewart. | |
| He was the first white act to be signed to Chris Blackwell's Island Records, and recorded his debut album, London Conversation, for £158 in 1968. | |
| He collaborated with many musicians throughout his life, including Phil Collins, and his song May You Never was covered by many artists - including Clapton. | |
| Many of his albums - especially Solid Air, released in 1973 - are regarded as classics. | |
| In 2003, he had to have his right leg amputated below the knee after a cyst burst, and in his latter years he performed from a wheelchair. |