Scottish musician Bert Jansch, co-founder of the band Pentangle and the leading figure of British folk revival of the late 1960s and early 1970s, died on Oct.5 at the age of 69, after suffering from and fighting against lung cancer for a long time.

The musician took his last breath last Wednesday morning in Marie Curie Hospice in Hampstead, London, spokesman Mick Houghton confirmed.

More than two years ago, Jansch was diagnosed with cancer. On Aug. 1, he performed the last time at a reunion of Pentangle at London's Royal Festival Hall, according to Houghton.

In 1987, the guitarist had to quit drinking because of health problem. Since then, the musician had been dogged by health problem. Earlier this year, Jansch joined Neil Young, a prestigious singer-songwriter, on the road. When the tour ended, his doctors ordered him to be hospitalized immediately.

I don't know anyone who had less of a sense of celebrity. He was always very self-effacing and critical adulation was completely irrelevant to him. Houghton said on the day Jansch died.

With deep regret Pegi (Young) and I acknowledge the passing of Bert Jansch. Pegi and I were lucky to play with him on all of our shows for the last couple of years, Young said.

He is a hero of mine, one of my greatest influences. Bert was one of the all-time great acoustic guitarists and singer songwriters. Our sincerest sympathies to his soul mate Loren. We love you Bert, the singer added.

Jansch was award twice Lifetime Achievement Awards at the BBC Folk Awards. The first one, in 2001, for his solo achievements; in 2007, as a member of Pentangle.

Jansch had great impact on many famous musicians. As much of a great guitar player as Jimi (Hendrix) was, Bert Jansch is the same thing for acoustic guitar. Young said.

“In the ‘60s, there was a great-sounding band called Pentangle with those two good English fingerpickers, Bert Jansch and John Renbourn,” American musician Jerry Garcia said in an 1985 interview.

I've been his agent for just over 10 years and when I met him he was at a low ebb and not really getting the recognition he deserved, John Barrow, who worked as Jansch’s U.K. concert booking agent said.

But it is a measure of the man that he had at that point continued playing in a pub in Carnaby Street in London. Even at that time Liam and Noel Gallagher from Oasis were turning up at that pub to listen to him, Barrow added.

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