Born in Slaton, Texas on December 18, 1943, Robert Henry (Bobby) Keys, passed away at his home in Franklin, Tennessee on Tuesday, December 2, 2014. No cause of death was announced, but according to the family, he had been battling cirrhosis.
Keys was best known as the primary saxophone player for the legendary rock band The Rolling Stones. He joined the group in the mid-60s after establishing a close relationship with Keith Richards and maintained his affiliation with the group for over 50 years. He was also a well-known and accomplished session musician who appeared on tracks with The Who, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Buddy Holly, and Elvis Presley, as well as John Lennon, George Harrison, and other well-known acts.
“The Rolling Stones are devastated by the loss of their very dear friend and legendary saxophone player, Bobby Keys,” the band said in a statement. “Bobby made a unique musical contribution to the band since the 1960s. He will be greatly missed.”
“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,” Stones guitarist Keith Richards said in a statement. “My condolences to all that knew him and his love of music.”
Read the full story: Rolling Stones Saxophonist Bobby Keys Dead at 70
