Phil May, the Dartford frontman of cult rock band Pretty Things, had died aged 75 after suffering complications from emergency hip surgery.

A representative of the British R&B group said he died at 7.05am on Friday May 15 at the Queen Elizabeth hospital after falling from his bike earlier in the week.

The singer and lyricist had been in poor health for some time when Pretty Things played a farewell concert in December 2018.

May, originally from Dartford in Kent, was born on November 9, 1944.

He leaves behind his son, Paris May, his daughter, Sorrel May, and his partner, Colin Graham.

In 1963 May formed Pretty Things with guitarist Dick Taylor, a former bass player for the Rolling Stones.

He remained at the helm throughout the group's changing line-up.

May was also the primary lyricist for the group's acclaimed 1968 album, SF Sorrow, often described as one of the first rock concept albums.

Acts including David Bowie, Aerosmith, Ramones, Bob Dylan, Sex Pistols, White Stripes, Kasabian, and The Lightning Seeds have cited the group's influence.

Pretty Things have a new album due for release this year.