British singer/guitarist Tony Sheridan, an early collaborator of The Beatles, has died. He was 72.

The rocker passed away on Saturday in Hamburg, Germany. Further details of his death were unavailable this morning.

Sheridan is best known for singing on some of the Fab Four's earliest recordings after meeting a young John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and original drummer Pete Best in the early 1960s in Germany.

The Beatles served as his back-up band in the Hamburg club scene, and they joined forces to record tracks including My Bonnie, The Saints and Ain't She Sweet.

A statement from his family posted on Facebook.com on Saturday reads, "Our beloved father and friend! Thank you for your love and inspiration. You left us today at 12.00 pm."