Prominent American blues singer and musician Floyd Miles has died at the age of 74.

A message from the late Gregg Allman's official Twitter account announced the sad news.

"Team GA was saddened to hear of the passing of Floyd Miles. A great friend and inspiration to the Allman family. Much love to the Miles family in this time of sadness and grief. Rest In Peace Brother," it tweeted.

Floyd was born and bred in Daytona Beach, Florida, growing up as the youngest of 11 children.

He became the singer-drummer for local soul band the Universals in the early 1960s and befriended Gregg and his brother Duane Allman.

Floyd went on to found his own successful band and his debut solo album followed in 1992, titled Crazy Man.

He found nationwide fame in the 1990s by joining Gregg Allman & Friends on tour, and subsequently put out three more albums - Goin' Back To Daytona in 1996, Mountain To Climb in 1999 and 2002's Another Man Will.

Tributes have been paid to Floyd, with Mark Harmsma tweeting: "RIP Floyd Miles, the man who took the risk, in the sixties in the deep South, to be friends with a white boy. Not just white, as blond as blond gets with hair over his shoulders.

"They listened to the radio and Floyd taught Gregg Allman all about black music, Southern soul and blues; Ray, Aretha, Otis, BB, Albert - the real thing till this very day. Had the privilege to meet Floyd Miles in a bluesclub in Macon,GA in 99 where he played solo."

Another fan tweeted: "Very saddened to hear of the passing of Floyd Miles, mentor and friend to Duane & Gregg Allman."