Former Santana singer Alex Ligertwood is dead at 79

Singer Alex Ligertwood, a one-time lead vocalist for the iconic group Santana, has died at the age of 79 at his Santa Monica, California home, according to his spouse.

The Glasgow, Scotland-born singer's wife Shawn Brogan took to Facebook on Sunday with the somber announcement.

'It’s with great sadness and heartache to announce the passing of my sweet dear Alex Ligertwood, my husband of 25 years,' Brogan said in a statement. 'Alex passed peacefully in his sleep with his doggy Bobo by his side yesterday.

According to a report from Scotland's The Herald newspaper, Ligertwood died in his sleep Thursday after dealing with poor health for a number of years. 

Ligertwood had been the lead singer of the Carlos Santana-fronted musical ensemble on five different occasions spanning the years 1979 and 1994, according to the paper.

Among the tracks he was featured on included the 1979 songs You Know That I Love You; and All I Ever Wanted; 1981's Winning and 1982's Hold On.

Ligertwood initially began playing guitar in the 1950s amid a boom in the skiffle genre, according to the paper, and performed in his school's choir and Boys' Brigade pipe band.

Brogan said on Sunday that 'Alex was loved by so many' and 'if you knew him, you loved him. 

She said the crooner 'touched so many with his extraordinary voice,' and 'was all heart and soul.'

The singer's 'favorite thing in life was to make music, sing and to share his gift with us,' his widow said. 

Brogan said Ligertwood 'performed his last show just two weeks ago. I’m grateful for that. 

'He did it his way, on his terms, till the end. I will always love you, my sweet Alex.'

She ended the somber statement in saying, 'Rest in peace. Soar and sing with the angels, my love.

'Please keep me & his family, Lynn & Stewart Locke, Alex, Jenny, Kali, Merci & Marilo in your prayers.'