Iggy and The Stooges saxophonist Steve Mackay has died aged 66.

The Michigan-born musician was admitted into hospital in Daly City, California, last month with sepsis, an infection that can lead to organ failure, but it is not yet clear if this was the cause of his passing.

Stooges singer Iggy Pop has paid tribute to his friend on the band's Facebook page and hailed him as ''credit'' to his peers who ''brightened the whole world'' with his playing.

The Stooges frontman wrote: ''Steve was a classic 60s American guy, full of generosity and love for anyone he met. Every time he put his sax to his lips and honked, he lightened my road and brightened the whole world. He was a credit to his group and his generation. To know him was to love him.''

MacKay featured on the punk group's iconic 1970 album 'Fun House' but left the group soon after.

He returned to The Stooges and performed with them at the Coachella Music Festival for their first live show in 29 years in 2003 and went on to play on their comeback albums, 2007's 'The Weirdness' and 'Ready To Die' in 2010.

He was a constant touring member of the group following their reformation in 2003.

The 'Down On The Street' rockers originally comprised of singer Iggy Pop, Scott Thurston, Steve Mackay, Mike Watt, James Williamson and brothers Ron Asheton and Scott Asheton and were inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame in 2010.

Mackay's death follows that of guitarist Ron Asheton, who died in 2009 and drummer Scott Asheton, who passed away in 2014.