Legendary American rock guitarist dies age 70

Legendary American rocker Freddie Salem has died at the age of 70. 

The Outlaws guitarist passed away from 'complications due to cancer', his former band confirmed.

'This morning, the heavens parted for the arrival of a legend. Rock on high, Freddie Salem. Until we meet again,' a statement on his Facebook page on Monday read.

His former band members also paid tribute on their social media. 

'It's with a heavy heart that we have to tell Outlaws fans about the passing of our former guitarist Freddie Salem,' the Outlaws said.

'Freddie passed from complications due to cancer and will be remembered for his outgoing personality and passion for music. 

'He was an electric performer and beloved musician and he will be missed.'

Salem first appeared with the Outlaws on the album Playin' to Win in 1978, a year after he replaced original guitarist Henry Paul.

He then stayed for the band's following four albums and wrote several of their hits, including 'White Horses,' 'Long Gone,' 'Devil's Road' and 'Don't Stop'.

Salem left the band in 1983 after it was dropped by Arista Records.

Originally a drummer, Salem switched to the guitar at the age of 15.

The Akron, Ohio born performer was the only musician in his family but credited his love of music to hanging out around the jukebox in his father's bar.

Salem toured with the Rolling Stones at one point with the band, calling the experience 'incomparable'.

'No other band in the world tours like the Stones,' he told blog Road to Jacksonville.

'Its similar to a traveling Circus. Always something going on. The Stones treated the Outlaws very well. The experience was incomparable to anything I had ever experienced, till this day.

'Even though we had performed with the Grateful Dead and other stadium shows but nothing even came close to the Stones. Brilliant experience indeed.'

As well as his stint with the  Outlaws, Salem recorded a solo album called Cat Dance and was a successful session musician, recording with The Godz in the 1980s.

British bassist Tony Franklin was among those to lead tributes to the late musician.

'Saddened to hear of the passing of Freddie Salem. A dear friend and musical compadre. I’ll miss our spirited chats. God speed brother,' he wrote on X.