Legendary R&B singer Fred Simon has died at the age of 74. The star was a co-founder of the iconic vocal group The Lost Generation and had been the final surviving member. The news was confirmed by his wife, fellow singer Diana Simon, in a heartbreaking post on the group's Facebook page. While she didn't reveal a cause of death, she penned: "It’s taken me a minute to be able to write this post. So with a very heavy heart, my husband Fred Simon, the last original member and one of the founding members of The Lost Generation and New Lost Generation, has died."

The Chicago-based group, comprised of Fred, his brother Lowrell Simon, Jesse Dean, Leslie Dean and Larry Brownlee, began singing together in 1969. Their debut single, 1970s The Sly, Slick and the Wicked, taken from the album of the same name, became a US hit and put them on the map. It became a staple of Chicago soul and later a favourite for hip-hop sampling.

They followed up with hits like "Someday" and "Talking the Teenage Language," but would disband in 1974.

Following the breakup, Fred continued the group's legacy, forming The New Lost Generation, which allowed audiences to celebrate the group's sound over the subsequent five decades.

From 2010 until earlier this year, he also toured with The Chi-Lites, who, ironically, had been The Lost Generation's chart competitors in their heyday, when they garnered eleven top-ten R&B chart hits from 1969 until 1974.

Tributes flooded in for the star after his death, with many taking to social media to share their condolences.

Writing on Facebook, one fan responded to Diana's post: "You have my condolences. Their record was so influential that groups calling themselves Sly, Slick & Wicked, after the song, were going around saying they were the Lost Generation."

Another added: "….THANK YOU FOR YOUR MUSIC," accompanied by praying emojis. A third chimed in: "A legend and a great man. He will truly be missed. Stay strong."

A fourth shared: "My deepest condolences to the family and friends." A fifth commented: "RIP Fred Simon, R&B Singer The Lost Generation, The Chi-Lites, Mystique, New Lost Generation."

Meanwhile, a sixth penned: "Sad to report that the last surviving member of this group, Fred Simon, has passed away. Rest in musical power, brother."