My favorite Saxophone player, Bobby Keys, died today at the age of 70.  Keys was legendary among rock musicians for his bluesy, hard-edged saxophone style.  Keys was born in Slaton, Texas and got his start at age 15 playing with Buddy Holly and the Crickets and also touring with Bobby Vee.  He is best known as the sax player for the Rolling Stones with his signature solo from Brown Sugar.  He was close friends with Keith Richards sharing the same birthdate.  He first met the Stones at a Teen Fair in San Antonio in 1964 and was with them except for a hiatus in the late 70’s allegedly caused when he missed a show after downing a bathtub full of Dom Perignon.  His other notable solos include the incredible romp on John Lennon’s Whatever Gets You Through the Night.  It is impossible to imagine that song as a Number 1 hit without that solo.

My first awareness of Keys came from watching the Joe Cocker’s classic rock concert film Mad Dogs and Englishmen.  After one viewing I was a fan.  Condolences to all who knew and loved him.