The Rolling Stones sent out a mournful message about the death of saxophone legend Bobby Keys, who played since age 15 with some of the greatest in the music industry, calling him the “largest pal in the world” and saying he’ll be sorely 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,” guitarist Keith Richards said, BBC reported.
Keys plays with Buddy Holly, John Lennon and Eric Clapton, but was most famous for his work with the Stones on the track “Brown Sugar” and the widely acclaimed “Exile on main Street” album.
He also made Stones history by criticizing the group’s riff off Buddy Holly’s “Not Fade Away,” BBC reported.
Keys said of the steal, in an interview when he was asked for his reaction: “I said, ’Hey, that was Buddy’s song. Who are these pasty-faced, funny-talking, skinny-legged guys to come over here and cash in on Buddy’s song?”
Keys, born in Lubbock, Texas, died at the age of 70.
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“Bobby made a unique musical contribution to the band since the 1960s. He will be greatly missed,” the Stones said in a statement reported by BBC. “[We mourn] the loss of [our] very dear friend and legendary saxophone player.”
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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