Alec John Such: Bon Jovi bassist dies at the age of 70

The rockers of the US band Bon Jovi mourn the loss of their former bassist Alec John Such.

They are "heartbroken" at the death of their dear friend, the band said on their website and social media on Sunday.

As a founding member, he contributed significantly to the formation of the band.

"Alec was always wild and full of life," it said.

Nothing was initially known about the cause of death.

The musician was 70 years old.

Keyboarder David Bryan, who founded the band in 1983 with singer Jon Bon Jovi, drummer Tico Torres and guitarists Dave Sabo, Richie Sambora and Such, paid tribute to the deceased on Twitter: "It was an honor and a pleasure, the stage and life to share with you," the musician wrote.

The band rose to fame in the 1980s with hits like "Runaway", "Livin' on a Prayer", "You Give Love a Bad Name" and "Wanted Dead or Alive".

Such split from the group in 1994 but was with the band in 2018 when the band Bon Jovi was inducted into the US Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.