Folk music star John Stewart has died, aged 68.

The US singer-songwriter, who wrote the Monkees' hit 'Daydream Believer', suffered a stroke or brain aneurysm in his hotel room in San Diego on Friday.

Stewart was a member of the popular and influential folk group The Kingston Trio between 1961 and 1967.

After leaving the band, he recorded 45 solo LPs and had a US top five single with 'Gold' in 1979.

Former bandmate Tom DeLisle paid tribute to Stewart on The Kingston Trio's website, claiming the singer's musical catalogue was "unparalleled".

He said: "John Stewart leaves a compilation of musical excellence unparalleled in his time.

"He leaves behind a wide-ranging group of fans who have felt a passion for him and his music that bordered on fanaticism."