Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant has described the death of rock’n’roll pioneer Bo Diddley as “a great loss”.

Diddley passed away yesterday (June 2nd) at his home in Florida. The 79-year-old was surrounded by family and loved ones, his spokeswoman said.

Speaking about the musician, Plant said: "His voice and relentless, glorious anthems echo down through my years.

“This royal shapeshifter continues to influence four generations of musicians on a daily basis."

Diddley is often cited as one of the key pioneers behind blues music's transition into rock’n’roll. He was noted for adding reverb and tremelo effects to traditional electric guitar.

The musician, who was famously recognisable for his square guitar, dark glasses and black hat, was an inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Earlier, Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger described the musician as an “enormous force in music”.

(by Jason Gregory)