R.I.P. Nick Reynolds (member of Kingston Trio)

Kingston Trio member dies aged 75

Nick Reynolds, a founding member of the Kingston Trio - who spearheaded the US folk music revival of the late 1950s, has died in San Diego at the age of 75.

The musician had been in hospital with acute respiratory disease. He died on Wednesday after his family took him off life support, son Joshua Reynolds said.

The Kingston Trio's cover of the folk song Tom Dooley was a chart hit in 1958, and launched the band's career.

The Trio paved the way for artists such as Bob Dylan and Joan Baez.

"Dad was so happy he turned people onto music in a way that people could really approach it, in a simple and honest way," Josh Reynolds told The Associated Press