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Singer-turned-actor Jerry Reed, known as "The Guitar Man" of country music, has died aged 71. Born in Atlanta, Georgia, Reed released more than 40 albums over a long career that started when he was just 18. After scoring US hits like Amos Moses and When You're Hot, he broke into cinema in the 1970s, appearing in all three Smokey and the Bandit movies. The star, who had quadruple bypass surgery in 1999, died on Monday of complications arising from emphysema. He had recently been cared for in a hospice, Country Music Television in Nashville reported. Sony BMG Nashville Chairman Joe Galante called Reed a larger-than-life personality. "Everything about Jerry was distinctive - his guitar playing, writing, voice and especially his sense of humour," Galante said. "I was honoured to have worked with him." |