Bobby Keys, whose inimitable saxophone was the sound of The Rolling Stones during their late sixties/early seventies creative zenith, has died at the age of 70.
Nashville Scene reports that Keys died in the early hours of December 2nd after a battle with cancer and liver failure.
A longtime close confidant of Keith Richards, Bobby Keys began to exert an influence over the Stones from 1969’s ‘Let It Bleed‘, and is a prominent part of the classic single ‘Brown Sugar‘. His association continued with the band into their 50th anniversary live celebrations, and he was at Glastonbury when they headlined the festival in June 2013.
“The Rolling Stones are devastated by the loss of their very dear friend and legendary saxophone player, Bobby Keys,” a statement reads. “Bobby made a unique musical contribution to the band since the 1960s. He will be greatly missed.”
As a much coveted session musician he also lent his talents to the likes of Eric Clapton, The Who, The Faces, George Harrison and Chuck Berry, and released a small collection of his own solo albums in the mid-seventies.