Revered Scottish singer/songwriter Jackie Leven has lost his battle with cancer at the age of 61.
The former Doll By Doll star's illness was announced in a recent post on his website, which read, "Jackie Leven is gravely ill, suffering from cancer, and, in all candour, has only a few days to live."
Reports suggest he died on Monday (14Nov11).
Prior to his time with punk act Doll By Doll in the 1970s, Leven, who was born to gypsies, was a busker who battled heroin addiction. He later created the Core Trust charity with his wife to help those fighting drug issues.
After the influential band split in the early 1980s, Leven went solo but his career was initially cut short following a brutal street attack, which temporarily robbed him of voice.
He became a prolific songwriter and released 14 albums in the last 17 years of his life, including a well-received collaborative project with author Ian Rankin, called Jackie Leven Said.
Paying tribute to his friend on Tuesday (15Nov11), Rankin 'Tweeted', "Rip Jackie Leven. Gentle man, poetic songwriter, skilled guitarist, storyteller. It was an honour to call you friend."
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