The percussionist, who took over leadership of the band when it reformed after the death of front man Marc Bolan in 1977, died on Saturday in a south London hospital, Barry Newby said. No cause of death was given, but news reports said Finn had suffered from kidney and liver problems.

“With regret, the band are sad to announce the passing of their dear friend and leader Mickey Finn,” Newby said in a statement on the band’s Web site. “His memory will always be in our hearts.”

After stints with the bands Hapshash and Coloured Coat, Finn teamed up with charismatic singer-songwriter Bolan in 1969 when T Rex’s original bongo player Steve Took left the band.

He was Bolan’s sidekick as he progressed from hippy sage to glam rock guru, performed on hits such as “Ride A White Swan” and “Children Of The Revolution” and is credited with giving the band its distinctive “bebop” sound.

Finn quit the group 1975 when their star began to wane and went on to form his own band.

But in 1997, after band members received a rapturous reception at a public performance to commemorate Bolan’s death, the group reformed with Finn, Paul Fenton – another original band member – and several new musicians. They performed all over Europe and were particularly popular in Germany. The group recorded an album, Renaissance, in 2000.

Funeral details were not immediately available. There was no immediate word on survivors.