Singer, actress and 1960s icon Marianne Faithfull has died at the age of 78. As a singer, Faithfull was best known for her 1964 debut single “As Tears Go By,” and her acclaimed 1979 album, “Broken English.

A fresh-faced singer in the 1960s, she went on to experience more than her share of hard times before emerging triumphant in the ’70s.

Marianne Faithfull’s death is loss of the knowledge of a generation – Nick Cave - The actress and singer, who shot to fame in the 1960s, died on Thursday.

Faithfull, who famously dated Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger in the 1960s, was nominated for a Grammy for her celebrated seventh album, "Broken English."

Rolling Stones frontman Sir Mick Jagger was joined by bandmates Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood who also shared their thoughts.

First off: she had the face of an angel, a cherub. Wide eyes, silken blonde hair, perfect skin, the whole business.

The late singer, known for a string of solo pop hits, was also the inspiration of several Rolling Stones classics

In the description of her superb 1994 memoir Faithfull, she was bedevilled by “grotesque contracts, lying, cheating crafty legalisms, mad and bungling managers and barbaric schedules”. Relief of a sort came with entry into the Stones’ inner sanctum.

Marianne Faithfull with then boyfriend Mick Jagger in 1969. (Image: PA) Eager to enjoy the first stirrings of the 60s, she started travelling to London aged 16 to visit Beatnik clubs like The Marquee and Flamingo, before meeting boyfriend John Dunbar at a Cambridge party.

Rolling Stones frontman Sir Mick Jagger has led tributes to “wonderful friend and beautiful singer” Marianne Faithfull following her death

Sir Mick Jagger has paid an emotional tribute to his former girlfriend and 1960s music icon Marianne Faithfull, who has died at the age of 78. The Rolling Stones frontman shared his grief on social media following the announcement of Faithfull's death in London on Thursday.