A founding member of the legendary US rock band Bon Jovi, former bassist Alec John Such, has died at the age of 70, the group announced.

Such played with them from 1983 to 1994, when they had such hits as You Give Love a Bad Name, Livin’ on a Prayer and Bad Medicine.

He was credited with bringing the band together and was remembered as a dear friend who was “wild and full of life”.

No details were given of how or where he had died.

“Alec was integral to the formation of the band,” singer-songwriter Jon Bon Jovi tweeted. “To be honest we found our way to each other thru him…”

A childhood friend of drummer Tico Torres, he brought guitarist and songwriter Richie Sambora to see the band perform, Bon Jovi said.

“Today those special memories bring a smile to my face and a tear to my eye,” he added. “We’ll miss him dearly.”

Born in New York on 14 November 1951, Such became a familiar figure on the New Jersey music scene where the band emerged, the Associated Press reports. He originally played in a band called The Message.

source bbc.com