The musician passed away on Friday (23Oct15) in Bearsville, New York, according to the New York Times.

Keith recorded his first album, Livin' on the Mountain, with his college roommate, Jim Rooney, in 1962. He then joined Bill Monroe's Bluegrass Boys in 1963 and was best known for developing the 'Keith style' technique of playing the banjo during his short tenure with the group.

He worked as a session musician before joining the Jim Kweskin Jug Band and went on to work with the Bee Gees, singer Richie Havens and Judy Collins.

In addition to his work with other musicians, Keith also recorded several of his own albums and was the co-inventor of the Keith Tuner, a device which enables banjo players to achieve more accurate pitch changes. He was also the co-founder of the Beacon Banjo Company.

Earlier this month (Oct15), he was inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Association's Hall of Fame