Stones sax man Bobby Keys dies
American Saxophonist Bobby Keys has died age 70. He was the long time saxophonist in the Rolling Stones since the 1960s and a member of several other bands.
American Saxophonist Bobby Keys has died age 70. He was the long time saxophonist in the Rolling Stones since the 1960s. He also played for Joe Cocker's Mad Dogs and Englishmen and was heard on recordings for Dr John, Eric Clapton, BB King and more. He released a solo, self titled album in 1972. He was also famously the sax soloist on the Stones hit ‘Brown Sugar.’
Keys died just short of his 71st birthday on December 18th which he shares with Stones guitarist Keith Richards. In a statement posted to Facebook Keith Richards said, 'Another good bye to another good friend. I will miss you, Bobby'. He also said, “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."
Bobby Keys and Keith Richards were lifelong friends. In his autobiography Richards described him as, “my closest pal. A soul of rock and roll, a solid man, also a depraved maniac.”
Keys played on the Rolling Stones’ Glastonbury headliner last year, but was forced to pull out of a tour in New Zealand and Australia due to poor health.