COUNTRY legend Ian Tyson has died at the age of 89, his family has said.
The Canadian music icon passed away at his ranch in Alberta on December 29.
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Tyson, who was inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame in 1989, was behind the hit tracks "Four Strong Winds" and "Someday Soon".
His manager told the Canadian Press that the singer-songwriter died from a series of health complications.
And, the star’s ex-wife Sylvia told CBC News that he “never really recovered” from surgery.
Tyson had open heart surgery in 2015 but still continued to perform live concerts as well as play his guitar at home.
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In 2019, he said: “I think that's the key to my hanging in there because you've gotta use it or lose it.”
Dozens of tributes have been paid to Tyson as news of his death emerged.
Sylvia said: "He put a lot of time and energy into his songwriting and felt his material very strongly, especially the whole cowboy lifestyle."
Canadian star Corb Lund said he will miss the musician’s friendship in a heartbreaking post shared on Instagram.
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He added: “Canada and the world has lost a legendary songwriter, performer, and lifelong advocate for the romance and reality of the West.
“His music and presence will be missed by myself and by many others. But I’ll miss his friendship the most."
He accompanied his post with a picture of the two stars wearing Stetsons.
Lund previously said Tyson was "kind of our Willie Nelson or Johnny Cash or Leonard Cohen" as he paid a glowing tribute to the star.
And, the singer Colter Wall branded Tyson "one of his heroes".
Tyson, who was born in 1933, was a keen rodeo rider during his teenage years.
But, he shattered his ankle when he was in his 20s and taught himself how to play the guitar while recovering in the hospital.
Tyson met Sylvia and the duo started releasing records during the 1960s.
They formed the country rock band the Great Speckled Bird in 1969.
Tyson and Sylvia had one child Clay who was born in 1968 before they divorced in 1975.
