JJ Cale, a Grammy-winning musician who worked with Eric Clapton and Lynyrd Skynyrd among others, passed away Friday from a heart attack. He was 74 years old.
Cale's manager confirmed his client's death to The Associated Press, saying the performer died at Scripps Hospital in La Jolla, California.
The artist was a member of the Grand Ole Opry touring company and won a Grammy for Best Contemporary Blues Album in 2007 for Eric Clapton's "The Road to Escondido."
He once said he owes his entire music career to Clapton, with whom he also collaborated on "Cocaine," ''Travelin' Light" and "I'll Make Love To You Anytime."
Stars such as Santana, The Allman Brothers and Johnny Cash have all covered Cale's tracks.
"JJ Cale was loved by fans worldwide for his completely unpretentious and beautiful music," said Mike Kappus, president of the Rosebud Agency. "He was loved even more dearly by all those he came in contact with as the most real and down-to-earth person we all knew."