Founding Flying Burrito Brother Chris Ethridge loses cancer battle

Country rock star Chris Ethridge, who co-founded The Flying Burrito Brothers and worked with some of country music's biggest names, died Monday in his home town of Meridien, Miss. He was 65.

The bass guitarist, who earlier performed with the International Submarine Band, died from complications relating to pancreatic cancer, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Ethridge worked closely early in his career with fellow Burrito Brother Gram Parsons, who died in 1973 and was credited for being among the first to successfully fuse country music with rock and roll.

Ethridge went on to work with Parsons' next band The Byrds and the likes of Judy Collins, Jackson Browne and Willie Nelson.

Nelson wrote in a tweet Monday, "[Willie Nelson and Friends] are sad to hear of the passing of Family member & friend Chris Ethridge he was a talented musician & we were honored to call him Family."