A renowned songsmith from Louisiana, Jesse Winchester sadly passed away on Sunday. He had been fighting cancer of the oesophagus for three years.

His family posted this message to Facebook:

RIP Jesse Winchester. As underrated a singer as Chet Baker. As underrated a guitarist as Willie Nelson. A man who held the audience in the palm of his hand without moving an inch. One of the best songwriters on earth. Damn damn damn.

With a career that was kick-started when Robbie Robertson helped him release his eponymous debut LP in 1970, Winchester's songs were recorded by the likes of The Everly Brothers, Jimmy Buffett, Patti Page and Elvis Costello. A huge force in Americana, his talent will be sorely missed.