Keith Richards introduces his pal’s book:
Bobby Keys is a master of blowing hot air thru a brass tube by manipulating a series of valves. This must be true because I have played along side him for over 40 years. He has also told me that a Rico reed has something to do with it. In other words he is the hottest sax (not to be confused with sex) player on the planet. My most treasured friend , this beloved maestro is going to take you on a rock ‘n’ roll journey that will leave the reader gasping. We have been thru thick & thin together, and I’ve always found his love of music and people to be an antidote for the blues. Bobs: I love you
Bobby Keys’ passion for his horn started early. In his teens, he hung out in Buddy Holly’s garage. He chose sax as his high school band instrument. He dropped out of high school to go on the road to rock n’ roll. In 1964, he hit the road with Dick Clark Caravan of Stars. By 1969, he was playing out west with Delaney and Bonnie and Eric Clapton. Joe Cocker got wind of Bobby and in 1970 he became a mad dog and Englishman. In England, he befriended Lennon and George Harrison.
In 1970, he found his soul touring with The Rolling Stones for the first time. Since then he has been a Stones “The World’s Greatest Rock Band” fixture. With the Stones Bobby found his musical soul mate in Keith Richards, either on stage dueting or off stage partying like hell-raising demigods.
Bobby’s Every Night relates his ride all over the world with the great musicians of the Rock era. It’s amazing how many records he was on and how many friends he blew for. This is not just his story but the story of an era’s moods and how partying defined the culture.
Out of all of Bobby’s great stories I want to share two of my favorites:
Bobby’s mom’s first trip to see Paris and hear her Bobby play with the Stones. The other standout was about when Keith and Bobby were hanging with Hugh Heffner at the Chicago Playboy Mansion. What a blast that must have been!
The strength of every night for me was the way Bobby related the chemistry of the bands and the quirks of the musicians. The problems of the music business crosses with the excessive partying distraction. Grovelling work loads and routines seem to over shadow the fun of just playing the music. Rock became a huge business as Bobby migrated from Buddy’s garage to its top as the industry exploded. His story is a unique part of this history.
Those who know my interest in music know I’m not a big rock guy. So with that said, Please listen! I enjoyed Bobby’s ride from Lubbock to London immensely. If you like Rock and/or follow the Stones, the book is a must read. The words flow out just like the music from Bobby’s horn.
Please join us to welcome and celebrate Bobby at 3:00 Saturday March 24th.
Bring any of your old vinyl with Bobby playing. He has agreed to sign album covers. Adding to the fun of sharing old vinyl art, anyone who brings an old record gets a free beer or beverage.
Charlie Winton, my publishing/music pal will be hanging around and said Bobby will bring his horn. As we all know, anything can happen when we rock ‘n’ roll on a Saturday.
JX//RX
Click here for more info on the event.
Every Night’s a Saturday Night: The Rock ‘N’ Roll Life of Legendary Sax Man Bobby Keys
by Bobby Keys and Bill Ditenhafer
(Counterpoint, 2011)
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