Jimmy Buffett: Margaritaville singer dies aged 76

US singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett, best known for his 1970's hit Margaritaville, has died aged 76.

"Jimmy passed away peacefully on the night of September 1 surrounded by his family, friends, music and dogs," said a statement on his website.

"He lived his life like a song till the very last breath and will be missed beyond measure by so many."

The cause of Buffett's death was not given but he had spent time in hospital in recent months.

Buffett was born in the US state of Mississippi but was raised in neighbouring Alabama before moving to Nashville, Tennessee. He worked for the music and entertainment magazine Billboard, with the dream of making it as a country singer.

He later moved to Florida, where he helped to create the tropical rock genre, which would later become more mainstream thanks to artists such as Jack Johnson.

Buffett made his musical breakthrough with his 1977 album Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes, which included the song Margaritaville, which enjoyed 22 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

His other hits include Fins, Come Monday and Son of a Son of a Sailor.