CHENNAI: Legendary playback singer S P Balasubrahmanyam passed away Friday afternoon. He was 74. He also shone as an actor, music director, producer and a dubbing artiste. His health condition worsened after contracting COVID-19 and was undergoing treatment at the MGM Hospital in Chennai.

He was popularly known as Balu and had sung more than 40,000 songs in a career spanning nearly 55 years.

SPB was admitted in the hospital on August 5 after he tested positive for COVID-19. His condition turned worse on August 14. He was cured of COVID on September 7. His condition deteriorated later.

The doctors said the singer who was on road to recovery suffered a brain haemorrhage. He was put on maximum life support, but that could not save his life.

SPB is survived by his wife Savithri, daughter Pallavi and son Charan.