Soft Machine founder Kevin Ayers dies at 68

TOULOUSE: Kevin Ayers, who founded the British band Soft Machine and was a leading figure in the psychedelic music scene, has died at the age of 68 in southwestern France, officials said Wednesday.

Ayers died at his home in the village of Montolieu, the local mayor's office said.

He played early gigs with Pink Floyd and toured the United States with Jimi Hendrix. The songwriter, singer and guitarist later went solo.

"He was a very nice guy and very simple," said the mayor's office, adding that Ayers had left one of his guitars at a local cafe with the inscription "'For anyone who wants to play.'"

Montolieu is home to about 800 residents and near the medieval city of Carcasonne.