Dr. John, legend of music in New Orleans, dies of a heart attack at age 77

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Dr. John, whose real name is Malcolm John Rebennack Jr, was 77 years old.

Beninato's message on Dr. John's Facebook page indicated that memorial arrangements would be announced.

Dr. John "has created a unique blend of music that has brought his hometown, New Orleans, into his heart, as well as into his heart," she wrote.

According to the Grammy website, Dr. John began his musical career as a songwriter and guitarist in the 1950s. He later played keyboards for Aretha Franklin, the Rolling Stones and Van Morrison.

In 2009, he told Smithsonian.com that in about 1960, he was hit on a finger while he went to defend a member of his group who was being whipped by the gun.

"Ronnie was only a kid and his mother had told me to pay attention to my son," he told the website. "Oh my god, that was all I was thinking of … I tried to stop the guy, I had my hand on the barrel and he shot."

He went to the piano after that.

In the late 1960s, he became "Dr. John, the Nite Tripper" when he went solo.

His song "Right Place Wrong Time" climbed to ninth place in the Billboard charts in 1973.

The blues, rock and jazz musician won his most recent Grammy in 2012 for the best blues album, "Locked Down".

The former Beatles drummer, Ringo Starr, tweeted, "God bless you, Dr. John, peace and love to all his family, I love the doctor, peace and love."

Guitarist Kenny Wayne Shepherd wrote on Instagram: A legend from Louisiana has just been released. Dr. John was a friend and an inspiration to me. I have never met another man like him. When such a unique person leaves us, it creates a void that will never be filled. "

Guitarist Joe Bonamassa tweeted: "It really hurts … It's one of the greatest of all time and a true genius and gentleman."

Dave Alsup of CNN contributed to this report.

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