Holy fuck...very bummed right now.

http://www.nashvillescene.com/nashvillecream/archives/2014/12/02/rolling-stones-...

RIP Bobby .


" Bobby Keys, longtime saxophonist for The Rolling Stones, has died. Michael Webb, keyboardist for Bobby Keys and the Suffering Bastards, confirmed Keys' death with the Scene, saying the legendary musician had been battling cirrhosis and passed away at his home in Franklin early this morning. He was 70 years old.

A Texas native who’d lived in Middle Tennessee since the early ’90s, in addition to his 40-plus-year tenure with The Rolling Stones, Keys appeared on legendary recordings by John Lennon, Joe Cocker, Barbra Streisand, B.B. King, Carly Simon, Lynyrd Skynyrd and others. More details to come.  "

RIP Bobby....

Very , Very Sad news.

RIP Bobby.



sc uk

RIP Bobby. The sax solo in Brown Sugar will forever be YOURS.

Tearfully,
LJ.

As far as Rn'B/Rock n' Roll tenor players go, Bobby's tone was as instantly recognizable as King Curtis' and later Clarence Clemons'. Pure bump n' grind strip-club shit, as sexy a sound as you can legally make.

Wow...

This is awful news

Very very sad.  I will remember Bobby in my mind from the scene in Hail Hail R&R where he is on the bandstand, not even playing but swaying back and forth to the beat.  Pure joy that only good music can bring.

LadyJane wrote on Dec 2^nd, 2014 at 12:07pm:


Amen sister!

Oh shit, this is a Sad day

RIP Bobby

When Keith passes I will have to go to the hospital for an overdose.

From Keith:

https://www.facebook.com/officialkeef/photos/pb.126524600725739.-2207520000.1417...

This is a tough one; condolences to Bobby's family and to the Stones, especially his twin brother Keith; and thanks for the amazing body of work.

Damn, so sad.

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/rolling-stones-saxophonist-bobby-keys-dea...

I worked with a guy 20 some years ago as a stagehand; he told me he'd been on a catering crew working for the Stones in '89 on the 'Steel Wheels' tour here in Minneapolis.
Said they delivered some stuff to Keith's suite at the hotel and Bobby was there; the other caterer was a girl, and, unlike Keith - who my man said was very proper and polite - Bobby was hitting on her like mad and being very libidinous.
Apparently she thought Bobby more interesting than Keith: "A proper southern gentleman", as my buddy relayed the story!

R.I.P. to a Legend

Very sad news RIP Bobby

Late '90s, my mate/bandmate (tenor sax, guitar) Glenn went to see Levon Helm at the Cabooze here in Minneapolis, Bobby was playing in the band.
After the opening band finished, they announced that Bobby couldn't make it that night; my man Glenn marched up to the ticket desk and asked for his money back ($15 I think). Glenn's a damn serious musician - pro jazz player, but also loves R n' R and such. He told the ticket dude he was there to see Bobby Keys (even though he loved Levon and The Band), therefore he should get a refund.
The ticket guy understood and said about 30 people had asked for refunds for exactly the same reason, and he gave Glenn his money back.
(kinda dumb, as I told him, to miss Levon Fucking Helm just 'cause his tenor player can't make it that night, but just goes to show how much Bobby was revered by even serious musos, not just Stones fans).

ahh n-na na-na na-na na na

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIGJ19McRIs

Sad. I had read he'd been ill, but I sorta expected him to pull through. Put Sticky Fingers on in disbelief.

Thanks Bobby!

THANK YOU !
For sharing your talent with us for all those years.
Your contributions were immeasurable!
Rest in Peace, your legacy will live forever!

Worth remembering that Bobby's playing wasnt just confined to the Stones...

A few gems that he graced down the years...

Worst Stones news since the death of Stu in 1985 or Nicky in 1994, really sad

Really sad news, we lost a great musician, a great person, one who was always nice with the fans

RIP Bobby, thanks for all you did for us

First of a series of headers for Bobby


Bobby with the Suffering Bastards - Keswick Theatre in Glenside, PA and Highline Ballroom NYC (March 10 and August 23, 2012) © Brian Hineline

Thanks Bobby for this gem, I am listening it now in your honor, also drinking THAT tequila in the cover!



Voodoo doll Emilia in the picture

LadyJane wrote on Dec 2^nd, 2014 at 12:07pm:

As close to losing a band member as it comes. This one hurts. Love ya Bobbie.

Still can't believe it.  Definitely gonna miss the guy.  RIP Bobby Keys.

Trying to remember. But on what song is it on the Winos live album where Keith says Bobby, bobby, bobby.....then he does a solo?

sweetcharmedlife wrote on Dec 2^nd, 2014 at 10:43pm:

"Whip It Up" maybe?

EDIT: No, probably "I Could Have Stood You Up".

How very sad, and what a great loss to the world of music. I send my prayers to Bobby, his family, friends and fans. Bobby’s contribution to the Stones’ sound was immense and immeasurable. Of course, he added his magic touch so many songs by other artists as well. For decades, I would crank up the sax solo on Dion’s “The Wanderer” whenever it came on the oldies station, reveling in the melody and groove. It would send chills down my spine every time. It never occurred to me that Bobby was the player, probably because I assumed he would have been far too young. Only when his book came out did I learn that the solo was played by a 17 year old Bobby (then I thought to myself, “AHA! No wonder I love it!). I’m not a musician and can’t articulate my thoughts in technical terms, but he just had THAT FEEL. The melodies and rhythm that his brain & gut told his fingers and breath to play were just natural, grooving, rocking PERFECTION. I feel so fortunate to have seen him onstage so many times. In addition to his spectacular playing, his relaxed, charismatic, “good ole boy” presence onstage was always a treat. I would just grin from ear to ear when he was playing his heart out, and he will be dearly missed at future Stones shows. I was fortunate to have had a lovely conversation with him after a Winos show in ’93, and I echo what scores of other fans have reported over the years - he was kind, funny, down-to-earth and definitely had that endearing, mischievous “twinkle” so many have mentioned.

Many thanks to you, Bobby. Your musical legacy on earth is rich. You can play your horn for the angels now (and maybe even teach Gabriel how to groove).

Bobby’s solo (played at age 17)  on Dion’s “The Wanderer” @ 1:39
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KdbQ5vxuw7g

The song SweetCharmedLife was referring to was indeed 'I Could've Stood You Up', Mr. Yeats...listening to it right now.

The Stones' live sound just ain't gonna be the same anymore.

RIP, Bobby

Welcome, Plink.

Nice first post.

I dont think thats Bobby on 'The Wanderer' though (never saw it mentioned anywhere before and the wiki entry for the song credits two other sax players) - if it was, that would have been his 'signature' song as much as 'Brown Sugar' is, as its every bit as famous a record.

Your comments about what he was like as a person mirror my own. Really nice, down to earth and approachable guy.

Was just thinking last night that the last time I got to meet him would have been in Madrid with Mary (Gottorollme) in June 2007. Both of them now no longer with us, due to liver disease. Sad.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/03/arts/music/bobby-keys-saxophonist-for-rolling-...

An article and a video here

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/12/02/bobby-keys-dead-dies_n_6256622.html

http://popcultureblog.dallasnews.com/2014/12/bobby-keys-the-texan-who-gave-the-r...

Great stuff Tom. Thanks!

"Yet, while Keys appeared to kick his most debilitating habits, he remained an avowed pothead."

"I’ve been smoking pot for over 50 years, and I never let a day go by unless I’m in jail," he told Rolling Stone in 2012. "I am a devout pothead. I have been, will be, don’t see a damn thing wrong with it except the cost. Legalize it."

   
God Bless ya Bobby!

http://www.cleveland.com/music/index.ssf/2014/12/bobby_keys_sax_player_for_the.h...

Thank you, Tom

By my reckoning, Bobby performed with the Stones over 930 times starting in 1970.

That's slightly more than Ronnie Wood, who's on around 929

Only Mick, Keith, Charlie & Bill have definitely played more Stones gigs.  Stu may have done, but its hard to verify how many early shows he played on, as he tended to do so from offstage in the early/mid 60s. 

Gazza wrote on Dec 3^rd, 2014 at 6:44am:


Thank you for the words of welcome, Mr. Yeats, Nankerphledge and Gazza.

Gazza, regarding The Wanderer solo, if you Google “Bobby Keys” and “The Wanderer”, loads of results will pop up mentioning Bobby as the sax player. I also recall him mentioning it in an interview around the time of his book release. The excerpt below is from Billboard Magazine:

“With a uniquely powerful sound that was more rock 'n' roll than R&B, Keys made a name for himself first with his solo on Dion's “The Wanderer” in 1961 which led to more studio work, most of it uncredited.”
Link: http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6334799/bobby-keys-dead-rolling-stones-sa...

P.S. You mentioned missing your friend, Mary, and I know she was well-loved here. A while back I read all 40+ pages of her thread in one sitting, unaware of how it would end. The twists and turns of her story were riveting. I was so hoping it would end well for her. It was very sad, but the remarkable responses to her plight bolstered my faith in human kindness.

Who knows if it's Bobby or not on the track. Dion's never made a comment about it.

Here's a thread some sax players started. They quote Dion in one of the posts. It's not Bobby on The Wanderer.

http://cafesaxophone.com/threads/who-plays-on-return-to-sender.11900/

Whoblewit.

That's funny.

Great information, regardless of who actually did.

Still think the Stones should cover The Wanderer.

RIP Bobby Keys

It was sad to edit this header, and sadder to replace it in less than 24 hours for the one of Mac...

Worst week ever for the Stones and fans


WIth a bottle of Tequila Sauza, from the cover of his solo album

Sincere condolences to family and friends. He's left a big footprint on my music collection!

munichhilton wrote on Dec 3^rd, 2014 at 10:50am:


Pretty sure that's a myth too (even though Bobby claimed he played on it). Elvis' sessionographies are pretty well documented, personnel-wise.  It's the great Boots Randolph.

I seriously doubt an 18-year old Bobby Keys would be playing at an Elvis session in Hollywood instead of his regular and legendary sax player.

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/keith-richards-rolling-stones-bobby-k...

Keith wrote this for Rolling Stone. Just published.

Very sad. Because he was so close to Keith, many don't know that it was Mick who really discovered him for the Stones at least.

Plink wrote on Dec 5^th, 2014 at 11:53am:


I want to believe it's him on both recordings, but the lack of concrete proof leads me to believe it's not him.

Steel Wheels wrote on Dec 5^th, 2014 at 1:02pm:


There is an alternate take of The Wanderer ("Take 1", by Dion and the Del Satins according to the youtube cover shot) and the sax solo is similar but not the same as on the famous recording. How would the existence of an alternate recording alter (if at all) your stance?

sax solo @ 1:48
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrMLRAMANiM

Also, that was a pretty specific story Bobby told about Boots' absence @ the Elvis recording session. Like I said, I believe the guy and I'll leave it at that. You choose not to, and that's OK too. Peace

The more I read about the Bobby/Elvis recording, the more I'm finding that most feel Bobby lied. Those sessions were heavily documented, and there's not one Elvis "expert" who claims it was Bobby. Also, Bobby's claims about that session are relatively new - timed right around his book.

I found this on the same webpage as the info below about Dion. It's taken from a book called "The History of Top 40 Saxophone Solos 1955-2011:

According to Ernst Jorgnsen, Bobby Keys DID NOT play the sax on the “Return to Sender” track. Boots Randolph was flown to Los Angeles with Scotty Moore and D. J. Fontana a few days before recording began and rehearsed the songs that had been chosen for the movie. Elvis arrived a few days later and would record them with Boots, Scotty, D. J., and some session musicians from Radio Recorders.

Who is Ernst Jorgnsen? I found this about him. If anyone knows Elvis sessions, it's him.

http://articles.latimes.com/2010/dec/24/entertainment/la-et-elvis-presley-box-20...

As for Dion, he's very active on Facebook and he has yet to mention that the supposed sax player on one of his all-time hits passed. I also found this bit on info, from that previously mentioned book.

From Dion himself:

“We had Bobby Gregg and Bucky Pizzarelli on guitar, Panama Francis and “Sticks” Evans on drums, Jerome Richardson—a monster player—played alto sax. Buddy Lucas played tenor sax and harmonica. Johnny Falbo played electric guitar on some of the blues things, and we had bunch of great musicians from the Apollo in Harlem”. Dion.

I hate to say it, but it appears Bobby wasn't being truthful about either recording session. To make it even worse, all of the sax players mentioned passed away BEFORE Bobby made the claims about playing on those tracks.

I feel Bobby lied about both sessions, as hard as that is for me to say.

I am all for people speaking their mind, but maybe this discussion is best for another thread and another time. Someone who gave all of us great joy died and the discussion is about if he lied about something. I'm not saying he didn't but this doesn't seem like the time.

Steel Wheels wrote on Dec 6^th, 2014 at 8:00am:



Ernst Jorgensen is probably the foremost authority on Elvis on the planet and has published several excellent books on his sessionographies. He's basically to Elvis what Mark Lewisohn is to The Beatles.

Bobby was a lovely guy, but he was telling a bit of a tall tale on this one. He never played on an Elvis session.

He claimed that Glenn D Hardin (Elvis pianist) got him the session gig - Hardin never met or worked with Elvis until about 1970, and these sessions took place in 1962. They only lasted a couple of days for the whole album, so its not comparable to, say, a Stones session, where you could conceivably have had different people playing over sessions lasting for weeks and months.

Its only a fib, he's hardly the first or last musician to do it (hello, Keith!) and it ain't no hangin' matter. I actually find it quite funny.

Agree its best to just concentrate on paying tribute to the man.

Sharing details about my brief meeting w/ the fabulous Bobby Keys:

I met Bobby backstage after a Winos show in ’93 (a connected friend had arranged for the passes). We were in an area with a lot of people milling about, but no Keef. I was hoping to personally hand Keith some photos I’d taken of him, but things weren’t looking too promising, so I was disappointed. Then I spotted Bobby standing in a circle with approx. 4 other guys (one of whom looked exactly like an older, short-haired version of Waddy Wachtel and was wearing some sort of makeshift yacht captain/naval outfit complete w/ cap - odd!). I approached the circle, made eye contact w/ Bobby, and he said “Hey there young lady! Your hand is empty – I think you need a drink in it!”. He was drinking wine & offered to get me a glass but I declined because I had to drive. I did ask him for a sip of his, though. Then I said, “I just realized I’m drinking an Expensive Wino’s wine!”. Yes, it was a dumb line… We spoke for a few minutes and he was super friendly and fun. I just wish I recalled more specifics about the chit-chat. After a while, I remembered the issue of my photos and asked Bobby if he would be so kind as to pass them along to KR. He said, “I’d take you to meet him right now so you could give ‘em to him yourself if he wasn’t sleeping”. He went on to say that Keith often falls asleep for a couple of hours after a gig (and there’s HELL to pay if anyone disturbs him) but if I hung around, he would introduce me to him when he woke up. Bobby & others were sticking around for Keith to awaken because they were then planning to head out to a French restaurant that was going to stay open late for them (still remember the name of it – “La Poubelle”). I declined to wait that long for the introduction (SAY WHAAAT??? - IDIOT!!!). Why? Because I was beyond exhausted from my school schedule and squeezing in travel to the show, and also because the friend who accompanied me was not a fan and was getting bored & increasingly cranky. Stupid reasons! I truly believe the fatigue had grossly impaired my decision-making. I left the pics w/ Bobby to give to Keith. I’m so glad I had the chance to meet him briefly – he couldn’t have been nicer or more charming, and it’s a fond memory I’ll keep with me. It still absolutely boggles my mind that I chose not to wait a couple of hours to be introduced to Keith Richards by his #1 Soul Brother, Bobby Keys!!!
‘Scuse me while I kick myself…

The New Barbarians goin' nutz, 1979 (Mojo Magazine) Bobby with a Mexican Poncho... "not a Sears Poncho"

^^^^ great shot by May Pang - nice find!

There certainly are some great pics & vids here - thank you to everyone who posted them.

Here's an interview w/ Bobby done backstage in Chicago, 2013
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRyEY28z9Jg