Bobby Keys the robust tenor saxophonist whose playing helped enliven the music of the Rolling Stones on and off for the past 45 years died early Tuesday at his home in Franklin TN.
Keys 70 had been battling cirrhosis. His death was reported by Michael Webb the keyboardist in Keys' band the Suffering Bastards. Keys' failing health led to his missing the Stones' October and November tour dates in Australia and New Zealand. He was replaced at those concerts by veteran San Diego saxophonist Karl Denson.
Keys was only 16 when he joined Buddy Holly's backing band. The saxophonist counted artists as varied as John Lennon B.B. King Maroon 5 George Harrison AC/DC Barbra Streisand and Lynyrd Skynyrd among his recording partners. But his name was synonymous with that of the Rolling Stones and his playing on the English band's 1971 classic Brown Sugar remains one of the most instantly recognizable sax solo in modern rock 'n' roll history.
Keys also made key contributions to such Stones favorites as Happy Live With Me Emotional Rescue Sweet Virginia and Can't You Hear Me Knocking as well as being featured on Lennon's chart topping Whatever Gets You Thru the Night and Joe Cocker's version of The Letter. The saxophonist last performed in San Diego with the Stones at Petco Park in 2005.
In a statement released Tuesday the band said The Rolling Stones are devastated by the loss of their very dear friend and legendary saxophone player Bobby Keys. Bobby made a unique musical contribution to the band since the 1960s. He will be greatly missed.
Rolling Stones' guitarist Keith Richards posted his own tribute on Facebook writing I have lost the largest pal in the world and I can t express the sense of sadness I feel although Bobby would tell me to cheer up. My condolences to all that knew him and his love of music.
Key was born in Slaton Texas on Dec. 18 1943 the same day as Stones' guitarist Keith Richards. Inspired by RB sax great King Curtis Keys was touring with Bobby Vee when he first encountered the Stones in 1964 at a San Antonio concert. He made his recording debut with the Rolling Stones on the band's 1969 album Let It Bleed and was featured on every subsequent album by the band through 1974's It's Only Rock and Roll. His self titled 1972 solo debut album featured among others Harrison Ringo Starr and former Cream bassist Jack Bruce.
Amazingly considering the Stones' well documented penchant for embodying the ethos of sex drugs and rock 'n' roll to an extreme Keys took things to such an extreme that he was dropped from the band's touring and recording lineup in 1973. He remained in exile from the group for nearly a decade before rejoining for a few shows. It was not until 1989's Steel Wheels tour that he was welcomed back into the fold. He was featured on virtually every Stones tour since then.
Yet while Keys appeared to kick his most debilitating habits he remained an avowed pothead.
No comments:
Post a Comment