Bobby Keys

In this March 25, 2012 file photo, saxophonist Bobby Keys signs a copy of his autobiography, ‘Every Night’s a Saturday Night: The Rock ‘n’ Roll Life of Legendary Sax Man Bobby Keys, for Jo Claire Swayze, right, in Greenwood, Miss. Keys, who performed with the Rolling Stones and on recordings with John Lennon, George Harrison, Carly Simon and Eric Clapton, died at his home in Franklin, Tenn. He was 70. Andy Lo AP

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bobby_Keys  Bobby Keys just died. I am still thinking about how to process this fact. I started thinking about all of the Rolling Stones shows I went to. I started thinking about how the Stones became a part of my life back in the 1970’s…not the 1960’s so much although my aunt Terri had this “Sticky Fingers” album when it was new and I used to groove on that in the late 1960’s. I took her to the “Voodoo Lounge Tour” many years later on the 30 yard line at Carter Findley Stadium as payback for that moment and it was awesome. I still remember the moments. “Steel Wheels Tour”…very late 1980’s…it was great…I remember how I took my daughter Alexandra to the football stadium at Duke University called “Wallace Wade Stadium” to see the Stones outdoor show during 2005..it took the crew a week to assemble the stage with a crane and took us two hours to even get out of the parking lot…a “Bigger Bang Tour” then on to the indoor show at the brand new Bobcats arena in Charlotte…I was at that show as well. A totally different stage and set in a brand new venue that was not completely finished. I have stories from that day and night I could share…maybe some other time.

Back to the story…As I moved into the late 1970’s I started really appreciating what the Rolling Stones were doing. I started getting who all the players were and what the music really was. By the time I was living in Starkville, Mississippi at Mississippi State University I was listening to “Some Girls” like it was a masterpiece. I had lived through “Black and Blue” and “Exile on Main Street”…on and on. This sax player they had scored caught my eye during live shows I went to see. I saw most of the Stones tours of recent years, sometimes once, sometimes twice. I am a big fan of rock and roll with blues. That is what I think of when I think of this band. I would have probably never heard of Bobby Keys without my love of the Rolling Stones music although he played with tons of great people from way back when. Go check that out. I should tell you a quick story…once I was working on a show for Radiomargaritaville from my home studio which is not a huge thing…..but I added this great set of Bobby doing  a solo during “Can’t You Hear Me Knocking” and it was awesome. Kind of a centerpiece to “Saxophones and Gumbo Rock” which only a Jimmy Buffett fan would really understand. I am not going to recite a Bobby Keys history except he was a part of some really awesome music and a part of the era I lived in. It was short and it was great. Live every day like it is your last. Don’t take a moment for granted. Go see live music and support great musicians. That’s what living is to me. Thank you Bobby Keys for the music. I am sure you will not be forgotten for many decades or even forever in music history. Here is my favorite Stones song with Bobby on it although the story Keith Richards tells is very inspiring….”Happy”  Love that song and the story….   http://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/keith-richards-rolling-stones-bobby-keys-20141204

I am still behind and skipping some shows and information I want to share…..I will get back to you…until next time, I’ll see you, down the road…

Well I never kept a dollar past sunset,
It always burned a hole in my pants.
Never made a school mama happy,
Never blew a second chance.
I need a love to keep me happy,
I need a love to keep me happy.
Baby, baby keep me happy.
Baby, baby keep me happy.
Always took candy from strangers,
Didn’t wanna get me no trade.
Never want to be like papa,
Working for the boss ev’ry night and day.
I need a love to keep me happy,
I need a love, baby won’t ya keep me happy.
Baby, won’t ya keep me happy.
Baby, please keep me
I need a love to keep me happy,
I need a love to keep me happy.
Baby, baby keep me happy.
Baby, baby keep me happy.
Never got a flash out of cocktails,
When I got some flesh off the bone.
Never got a lift out of Lear jets,
When I can fly way back home.
I need a love to keep me happy,
I need a love to keep me happy.
Baby, baby keep me happy.
Baby, baby keep me happy.