R.I.P. British Psychedelic Pioneer Kevin Ayers

Former member of Soft Machine passes away at age 68

British psychedelic pioneer Kevin Ayers, a founding member of Soft Machine, has died, as MOJO reports. Ayers passed "seemingly in his sleep," according to MOJO, on February 18 at home in France. He was 68.

During the 1960s and 1970s, Ayers was a central player in the psychedelic movement in Britain, affiliated with the Canterbury scene. In the late 60s he founded Soft Machine with Robert Wyatt, leaving the band after they toured with Jimi Hendrix and recorded their 1968 self-titled record.

He went on to release over a dozen solo albums, beginning with the 1969 psychedelic pop record Joy of a Toy until his final album, 2007's Unfairground. Ayers collaborated with Brian Eno, John Cale, Nico, Syd Barrett, and many more throughout his distinct body of work. His final album featured collaborations with younger artists whom he'd influenced, including members of Neutral Milk Hotel, Teenage Fanclub, and Ladybug Transistor.

Watch a two-part 1970 French television segment with Ayers and other clips from his career:

"May I?":

Soft Machine live, 1967: