American Singer Dr John is dead, aged 77

American singer and songwriter Dr John is dead, he died after suffering a heart attack at the age of 77.

The Grammys awards singer Dr John was confirmed dead on Thursday, according to a message posted on his official Twitter account. The New Orleans-born musician combined the genres of blues, pop, jazz, boogie-woogie and rock and roll.

A statement regarding The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame singer’s death reads;

“towards the break of day June 6, iconic music legend Malcolm John Rebennack, Jr, known as Dr John, passed away of a heart attack. The family thanks all whom shared his unique musical journey & requests privacy at this time. Memorial arrangements will be announced in due course.”

Dr John started his career in the late 1950s, when he became prominent as a pianist and singer on the New Orleans music scene, before gaining recognition as a solo performer with the release of his album Gris-Gris in 1968. Dr John, who successfully battled heroin addiction, is perhaps best known for his 1973 hit, Right Place, Wrong Time.

Born Malcolm John Rebennack in New Orleans, his love of music was fostered by his father, who ran an appliance store that also sold records. His mother, meanwhile, had worked as a model, and thanks to her connections, Malcolm’s face appeared on boxes of Ivory Soap.

He was married twice and told the New York Times he had “a lot” of children.