Mick Abrahams, a founding member of rock band Jethro Tull, has died at the age of 82.

Posting on the band’s official websitelead singer Ian Anderson said he was sorry to hear of the death of the “strong vocalist and experienced, powerful and lyrical guitarist”.

He said Luton-born Abrahams had “endured worsening ill health for the last 15 years, leaving him finally unable to perform”.

Anderson said Abrahams was “vitally important” to the band’s early line-up and developed his musical ideas into a “tour de force display of his instrumental talents for the rest of his performing days”.

Jethro Tull were formed “out of the ashes” of The John Evan Band and McGregor’s Engine, the blues band Abrahams formed with Clive Bunker in the Luton/Dunstable area, said Anderson.

Abrahams played on Tull’s first album, This Was, but left shortly after it was finished, and went on to found another successful band, Blodwyn Pig.

After pursuing a solo career between 1971 and 2017, he retired from performing following a stroke.

Anderson described him as a “homebody” who “liked to gig around the home counties”.

He said: “We all offer our condolences to Mick’s family and close friends, who can feel justifiably proud of his achievements and musical legacy.”