Folk Singer Martyn Dead at Age 60

Scottish singer John Martyn, known as much for his folk sound as his hard-drinking image, has died at the age of 60, singer Phil Collins said.

Collins, who had worked alongside Martyn during his musical career and had known him since the 1970s, remembered him as a great friend, The Scotsman said Friday. His albums were representative of what was taking place in his life at the time.

After first appearing in the music scene in the 1960s, Martyn created such albums as 1973's Solid Air and 1977's One World.

The Times of London said Martyn's substance abuse caused the singer numerous health problems and even resulted in him losing a leg to septicaemia.