Rolling Stones Saxophonist Bobby Keys Dies at 70
Source: The Guardian
Bobby Keys, who played saxophone with the Rolling Stones among others, has died aged 70.
The musician had been a fixture on the rocknroll scene since the age of 15, playing with the likes of Buddy Holly, John Lennon and Eric Clapton over the course of his career. His most famous work was for the Stones with whom his distinctive sax playing helped propel classic tracks such as Brown Sugar, along with much of their most acclaimed album Exile On Main Street.
He was born on the same day as Keith Richards, and the pair struck up a lifelong friendship, with Richards giving over pages of his autobiography Life for Keys to tell the bands story from his perspective. In that book, Richards describes the saxophonist as my closest pal. A soul of rock and roll, a solid man, also a depraved maniac.
Keys played during the bands Glastonbury headline slot in 2013, although in October he was forced to pull out of dates in New Zealand and Australia citing poor health.
Read more: http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/dec/02/rolling-stones-saxophonist-bobby-keys-dies-aged-70
shenmue
(38,506 posts)Still haven't seen the Stones live. Always wanted to.
Bobby Keys was brilliant. I'm sorry if this remark seems out of place, but for my money, the Rolling Stones died when Keys left.
Capt.Rocky300
(1,005 posts)If you think they're good on tv or in a video, a live performance will blow you away. Amazing entertainers. Get the best tickets you can afford. We saw them in Sacramento and much of the concert Mick was about 6-10 feet away from us. We could see the veins in his neck sticking out when he was really cranking it out. He even blew my wife a kiss. One of the very best memories we have. Not trying to hijack the thread, just had to share our experience and encourage you to make it happen.
shenmue
(38,506 posts)Sweet Freedom
(3,995 posts)(except the last one because they played nowhere near my city) and Bobby's solos were always some of my favorite moments.
BeyondGeography
(39,375 posts)RIP
jalan48
(13,871 posts)Martin Eden
(12,871 posts)RIP Bobby Keys, you made some kick-ass classic rock tracks that will outlive all of us.
olddots
(10,237 posts)A great player who could play any kind of music and a really nice human he will be missed .
amandabeech
(9,893 posts)RIP Bobby Keys.
rizlaplus
(159 posts)May he rest in peace.
Condolences to family & friends.
AlbertCat
(17,505 posts)They mean their most recently acclaimed album.
I thought "Sticky Fingers" was their most acclaimed album.
Anyway, Mr. Keys makes them all much better than if he were absent.
Derek V
(532 posts)You know, like Keith Richards.
waddirum
(979 posts)His sax playing was like "shittin' in tall cotton".