Grammy award winning musician Dr John dies at 77 after suffering a heart attack

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Grammy award winning musician Dr John dies at 77 after suffering a heart attack

 

Grammy-winning American singer Dr John has died at the age of 77 after suffering a heart attack.

The New Orleans-born musician died on Thursday, according to a message posted on his official Twitter account. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame singer combined the genres of blues, pop, jazz, boogie woogie and rock and roll.  

A statement said: "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."

His career started 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.

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

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