Dragon rocker Alan Mansfield dead at 72 after three-year battle with cancer

Beloved New Zealand keyboardist Alan Mansfield died in Sydney on Wednesday aged 72, after a long battle with cancer .

The beloved performer was a member of the legendary pop rock band Dragon from 1983 to 1997, and played on some of their biggest hits.

Alan's long-term partner Sharon confirmed the news of his passing in a heartbreaking Facebook post: 'Yesterday morning I lost the love of my life.

'His daughter and I were with him and he passed comfortably and peacefully. Alan battled for three years and although he passed away cancer free, the ravages of his radiation treatment took a toll on his poor body.'

She added that Alan had put up a courageous fight against the cruel disease and she was proud of how long he fought.

'He was brave and fearless and his doctors and nurses were amazed at how long he waged the war. They loved him dearly.

'Alan didn't want any kind of funeral fanfare and we will say goodbye privately and low key as a family. You may like to do the same by playing his music.'

The talented musician also worked as a studio engineer, and produced Dragon's 1983 hit single called Rain, which reached number two on the Australian charts.

Throughout his celebrated career, he worked with many A-List singers, including Robert Palmer, Bette Midler and Tommy Emmanuel.

Along with his Dragon bandmates, Alan was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2008.

He had been living in Sydney since 1982, where he passed on Wednesday.

Alan is survived by his partner Sharon and daughter Lauren.

His passing follows reports that Dragon will kick off their Australasian tour with a show at Melbourne's Flemington Racecourse on Friday, December 6, before heading to other major cities for the iconic 50-year anniversary concert .

The band formed in Auckland in 1972 and was fronted by Marc Hunter.

They had huge hits with songs such as Rain and Are You Old Enough?