American musician Kenny Rankin, known for an impressive output of jazzy folk and connections to big names in music history, died on 7 June, 2009, aged 69.

The guitarist, singer and songwriter released more than a dozen solo albums during his career and was also noted for playing on Bob Dylan’s Bringing It All Back Home (1965).

In the 1970s he was also known for distinctive covers, such as those of Fred Neil’s The Dolphins and The Beatles’ Blackbird and Penny Lane. So impressed was Paul McCartney with his work that he asked Rankin to perform on his behalf when he and John Lennon were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1987.

His other successes included writing the songs Peaceful, a hit for both Georgie Fame (1969) and Helen Reddy (1973), and On and On, taken to number 11 by Stephen Bishop (1977).

He also spent several years touring as the opening act for comedian George Carlin .

New York-born Rankin had a reputation for eclectic tastes which brought jazz grooves and South American flavours into his acoustic guitar-driven output. He released his first album, Mind-Dusters, in 1967, and was working on a new record with the great producer Phil Ramone at the time of his death.

Denny Stilwell, president of his label, Mack Avenue Records, said: “That he was still at the top of his game is one of the saddest parts of his passing for me. He performed the new material in our office over the last few months and his voice was still in its finest form – he sounded absolutely amazing. Our hearts and prayers are with his family.”