Original Tulsa Sound Artist J.J. Cale Dies From Heart Attack

Oklahoma lost a musical icon Friday night. J.J. Cale died at Scripps Hospital in La Jolla, California, following a heart attack.

Cale, 74, was best known for his songs "After Midnight" and "Cocaine," and as a leader of the original Tulsa Sound.

Born in Oklahoma City in 1938, Cale won a Grammy for his 2006 collaboration with Eric Clapton, "The Road to Escondido." His musical legacy comes as performer and musician, sound engineer and producer. He pioneered the mix of blues, country, rockabilly and jazz that came to be known as the Tulsa Sound.

"Basically, I'm just a guitar player that figured out I wasn't ever gonna be able to buy dinner with my guitar playing so I got into songwriting, which is a little more profitable business," Cale said in an interview quoted in his bio page on jjcale.com.

His life changed when Eric Clapton released a version of Cale's "After Midnight" in 1970 and then went on to record "Cocaine." Other artists that have release Cale's songs include Lynyrd Skynyrd with "Call Me The Breeze," Santana, The Allman Brothers, Johnny Cash, The Band and Chet Atkins. Artists including Neil Young, Mark Knopfler and Bryan Ferry call Cale a major influence on their music.

His song "After Midnight" was nominated to be the official state rock song in Oklahoma.

Watch the documentary: "To Tulsa And Back."

According to his website, there are no immediate plans for services, but fans are encouraged to remember Cale by making a donation to their local animal shelter.

Keep checking back to this story for interviews with some local artists who worked with J.J. Cale.