US singer-songwriter JJ Cale died on Friday aged 74.

The Grammy Award winner passed away at a hospital in California after suffering a heart attack.

Born in 1938 in Oklahoma as John Weldon Cale he later adopted the name JJ Cale in order to avoid confusion with the Velvet Underground’s John Cale.

JJ Cale defined himself most predominantly as a songwriter rather than a singer and many of his compositions have been recorded by the likes of Santana, Tom Petty, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Waylon Jennings.

Some of his songs, including ‘After Midnight’ and ‘Cocaine’, were made famous via cover versions by Eric Clapton.

Cale was a pioneer of the Tulsa Sound – a genre that drew from blues, rockabilly, country and jazz influences.

JJ Cale’s official website states that there are no immediate plans for memorial services. 

Watch JJ Cale perform 'After Midnight' below: