Ian Tyson, half of the folk duo Ian & Sylvia, has died at age 89

Legendary Canadian singer-songwriter Ian Tyson performs at the Western Folklife Center during the 28th annual National Cowboy Poetry Gathering, on Feb. 2, 2012, in Elko, Nevada. (Ted S. Warren/AP)

TORONTO — Ian Tyson, the Canadian folk singer who wrote the modern standard "Four Strong Winds" as one half of Ian & Sylvia and helped influence such future superstars as Joni Mitchell and Neil Young, died Thursday at age 89.

The native of Victoria, British Columbia, died at his ranch in southern Alberta following a series of health complications, his manager, Paul Mascioli, said.