MIAMI BEACH, FL – APRIL 18: Alto Reed performs at The Blacks Annual Gala to benefit The Consequences Program and Bay Point Schools at Eden Roc Hotel on April 18, 2009 in Miami Beach, Florida. (Photo by John Parra/WireImage).
Rock saxophonist Alto Reed, a founding member of Bob Seger’s Silver Bullet Band, has died after a battle with stage four colon cancer, Seger announced Wednesday. He was 72 years old. “I loved him like a brother,” Seger says. “I may have been the leader, but he was our rock star. He was the audience favorite, hands down. He was bold and worldly. I learned so much from the guy. And he was a great ambassador to the fans. He took time for everybody, any picture, anywhere. I can’t say enough good things about him.”
View this post on Instagram
Reed, who started working with Seger in 1971, performed with him on 14 albums. He’s also appeared on albums buy such acts as the Blues Brothers, Foghat, Ted Nugent, Grand Funk Railroad, and George Thorogood, to name a few.
Who’s the most recognizable saxophonist in rock?