Florida-born singer-songwriter had major hits with Swingin’, Seminole Wind and Straight Tequila Night

John Anderson, the traditionalist US country singer whose extensive body of work included five No 1 hits on the country charts, has died aged 71.

The news was announced on social media by his family, who said: “To the world, he was a gifted country music singer whose voice and songs touched countless lives. To us, he was so much more. He was the heart of our family, the one who made us laugh, loved us fiercely and made every ordinary moment feel special.”