Former FREE DESIGN frontman CHRIS DEDRICK has died at the age of 62.
Dedrick, the lead songwriter of 1960s and '70s jazzy pop band, passed away on 6 August (10), according to his website. No cause of death was given.
He started his music career at 19, founding Free Design with his siblings Sandy, Bruce, Ellen and Stephanie.
The band, often credited with influencing music artists including Beck, Stereolab and Caribou, produced seven albums between 1967 and 1972, the year the group split.
Dedrick went on to record his solo album, Be Free.
He later played, wrote and produced with artists including Barry Mann, Peter, Paul and Mary and Simon and Garfunkel, and also composed and arranged music for five albums released by the Canadian Brass in the 1990s.
Dedrick is survived by his wife, their daughter and two grandchildren.