Influential blues-rock singer, songwriter for Janis Joplin dies

SANTA ROSA, Calif. - Nick Gravenites, the blues singer and guitarist for The Electric Flag and songwriter for Janis Joplin, has died, his family announced. He was 85.

"I regret to inform all of you that Nick passed away last night," the Gravenites family wrote in a post to Nick's Facebook page . "Details to follow as they arrive. The Gravenites family appreciates all of the fans and loved ones who have been there for us during this time."

Gravenites died Sept. 18 in Santa Rosa, California, The New York Times reports. He was living in an assisted-living facility, where he was being treated for diabetes and dementia, according to his son, Nick.

Born Oct. 2, 1938, in Chicago, Gravenites began playing the blues while he was a student at the University of Chicago, according to Legacy.com .

In 1967, he co-founded short-lived blues-rock band The Electric Flag with guitarist Mike Bloomfield. That same year, the band contributed to the original motion picture soundtrack for "The Trip." The following year in 1968, The Electric Flag released its debut album, "A Long Time Comin'" and second album, "An American Music Band." Months later, The Electric Flag disbanded when Bloomfield left the band.

Gravenites also achieved success as a songwriter, having authored "Born in Chiago" and "East West" for The Paul Butterfield Blues Band, according to his website . He also wrote hit songs for Joplin and a list of musicians including Pure Prairie League, Tracy Nelson, Roy Buchanan, Big Brother and the Holding Company, and more.

"Everybody loves the blues, but you can go broke trying to play it," Gravenites said during a 2005 interview with Sound Waves . "Blues is your passion, your inspiration, I've heard that from many people, but jeez, it's hard to make money off of it."