Joe Cocker dies

Joe Cocker has passed away.

The legendary singer died on Monday after losing his battle with lung cancer, his agent confirmed. The 70-year-old was best known for songs including You are So Beautiful and his cover of the Beatles track With a Little Help from my Friends.

The British singer also won a Grammy in 1983 for his duet with Jennifer Warnes; Up Where We Belong and received an OBE from the Queen in 2007 for his contribution to music.

In a statement, his agent Barrie Marshall said he was "simply unique" and "it will be impossible to fill the space he leaves in our hearts."

Tributes for the rock and blues singer began flooding in on social media sites soon after the news broke.

Former Beatles drummer Ringo Starr was one of the first to share his sadness at his passing.

"Goodbye and God bless to Joe Cocker from one of his friends peace and love," he wrote on Twitter. Meanwhile actor Val Kilmer also paid his respects on the site.

"Ah. What a mighty mighty original voice is gone. Joe Cocker one of the all time soul of Rock and Roller Kings will be missed forever," he said in a post.

Sony Music also released a statement confirming the news and praised the star for his "hard fought battle" with small cell lung cancer.

"His international success as a blues/rock singer began in 1964 and continues till this day. Joe created nearly 40 albums and toured extensively around the globe," they added.

Joe is survived by wife Pam, his brother Victor, his step-daughter, Zoey Schroeder and two grandchildren, Eva and Simon Schroeder.