Singer-songwriter Chris Whitley dies at 45
 

Chameleon singer-songwriter recorded 11 albums

NEW YORK - Chris Whitley, a chameleon singer-songwriter who oscillated between roots rock 'n' roll, blues and alt-rock, has died. He was 45.

Whitley passed away Sunday evening, according to a message posted on his Web site by his daughter, Trixie Whitley.

Specifics were not available Tuesday. "No one saw this coming," his publicist of several years, Ben Sterling, told The Associated Press.

The Texas-based singer was surrounded by his family and girlfriend before passing away, according to his Web site.

"I hope you all will mourn my brother's death, but more important, celebrate his life as Chris was all about life and living," read a message from his brother, Daniel. "I started the celebration by cranking up 'Dirt Floor' in his honor."

"Dirt Floor" was Whitley 1998 album. He recorded eleven albums since his 1991 debut, "Living with the Law," including this year's "Soft Dangerous Shores."

It was inoperable lung cancer. I just saw him live about a year ago at the Old Town School of Folk- I wasn't a fan before, but he blew me away. It's really sad.

Was he a smoker?