description Bobby Keys Overview
Bobby Keys was an American saxophonist who gained prominence as a touring and recording musician with the Rolling Stones, beginning his association with them in the early 1970s. He played notable tenor saxophone solos on classic tracks such as "Brown Sugar" and "Can't You Hear Me Knocking" from the 1971 album Sticky Fingers. Throughout his career, Keys also recorded and performed with other notable rock artists, including John Lennon, George Harrison, and Eric Clapton, making him a sought-after session musician in the rock genre.
help Bobby Keys FAQ
What Rolling Stones songs did Bobby Keys play saxophone on?
He played the famous tenor sax solos on 'Brown Sugar' and 'Can't You Hear Me Knocking,' both from the 1971 album Sticky Fingers. His association with the Stones began around the Let It Bleed sessions in 1969, including 'Live with Me.'
When did Bobby Keys die?
He died on 2 December 2014 at age 70. At the time he was still a touring member of the Rolling Stones' live band, a role he had held on and off for decades.
Did Bobby Keys play with artists besides the Rolling Stones?
Yes, he toured with Joe Cocker's Mad Dogs and Englishmen in 1970 and recorded with John Lennon, including on 'Whatever Gets You thru the Night.' His session résumé also stretched to Delaney & Bonnie and Eric Clapton's circle of players.
How did Bobby Keys meet Keith Richards?
Keys reportedly met Keith Richards in the mid-1960s while touring as a teenager with pop bands, and the two — born the same year — bonded immediately. By the Stones' 1969–1971 classic-album run he was their go-to saxophonist.
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