Ed Wiley Jr, a jazz and blues saxophonist who recorded the 1950 hit Cry, Cry Baby and was considered an early influence in rock ‘n’ roll, has died.

His son, also called Ed, said his 80-year-old father was leaving church in Garner, North Carolina, on Sunday, when he fell and hit his head. He slipped into a coma and died the next day at a Raleigh hospital.

In 1950, the Houston, Texas native produced Cry, Cry Baby, which reached No 3 on the Billboard charts.

In later years, Mr Wiley performed with artists ranging from jazz-blues guitarist Clarence Gatemouth Brown to the late R&B singer Teddy Pendergrass.