Bon Jovi have paid tribute to their former bass player and founding member Alec John Such, following news of his death, aged 70, over the weekend.

Although he left the band before 1995's These Days, he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with Bon Jovi in 2018 – having played on their first five studio albums, including Bon Jovi, 7800° Fahrenheit, Slippery When Wet, New Jersey and Keep The Faith.

"We are heartbroken to hear the news of the passing of our dear friend Alec John Such," Bon Jovi stated on social media. "He was an original. As a founding member of Bon Jovi, Alex was integral to the formation of the band. To be honest, we found our way to each other thru him.

"He was a childhood friend of Tico and brought Richie to see us perform," the statement continues. "Alec was always wild and full of life. Today those special memories bring a smile to my face and a tear to my eye. We'll miss him dearly."

❤️ pic.twitter.com/W5guCSgmq9

— Bon Jovi (@BonJovi) June 5, 2022

See more tributes to Alec John Such below:

Mr. Alec John Such, original bassist for Bon Jovi has died at the age of 71. When a highly talented artist passes away it makes the world a worse place. Today, the world is a worse place without John. Our deepest condolences for the death of the great Mr. Alec John Such. #RIP🙏🏻💔 pic.twitter.com/I8lrsRPozb

— 🎸 𝕊𝕦𝕜𝕦𝕣𝕤𝕒𝕝 ℝ𝕠𝕔𝕜 🎸🐺 🐾 (@SukursalRock) June 5, 2022

I'm so sorry to hear Alec John Such, og member of @BonJovi has passed away. I can picture his long black trench coat and red t-shirt in Runaway. He rocked a million faces ->'94. To the Such family, please know he will be missed by the entire MTV generation https://t.co/V0dXqVlUwQ

— Martha Quinn Ⓥ (@MarthaQuinn) June 6, 2022