Kingston Trio's Nick Reynolds dies at age 75

Nick Reynolds, a founding member of the Kingston Trio, has died at age 75.

The group was responsible for leading the U.S. folk music revival of the late 1950s, paving the way for Bob Dylan and Joan Baez.

Reynolds died in San Diego of acute respiratory disease after his family took him off life support.

The Kingston Trio's cover of the folk song “Tom Dooley” was a chart hit in 1958 and launched the band's career.

The song earned them the best country and western performance at the first Grammy Awards in 1959. The Trio also won a Grammy in 1960 for best folk performance, with their album "The Kingston Trio At Large."

Reynolds is survived by his wife, two sons and two daughters.

"Dad was so happy he turned people onto music in a way that people could really approach it, in a simple and honest way," his son Josh Reynolds told The Associated Press. "He was a very gracious and loving performer."

Photo: Jesse Bravo