Bob Seger’s Silver Bullet Band saxophonist Alto Reed dies of colon cancer at 72
Bob Seger’s Silver Bullet Band saxophonist Alto Reed has died of colon cancer at 72.
‘It is with a heavy heart that we inform you of the passing of our lifelong friend and bandmate, Alto Reed,’ Seger, 75, said on Twitter Thursday.
He continued: ‘Alto passed away this morning at his home with his family by his side after fighting a courageous battle with colon cancer. Alto has been a part of our musical family, on and off stage, for nearly 50 years.’
RIP: Bob Seger’s Silver Bullet Band saxophonist Alto Reed has died of colon cancer at 72. He was snapped playing in Florida in 2011
The Night Moves artist recalled his long ties with the talented musician.
‘I first started playing with Alto in 1971,’ Seger said. ‘He was amazing. He could play just about anything … he was funky, could scat, and play tenor sax and alto sax at the same time.’
The Old Time Rock and Roll artist recalled how Reed played alongside him in his ‘first headline arena gig at Cobo Hall’ in Detroit, where Reed hailed from.
‘We asked him to be a part of those shows,’ Seger said. ‘No doubt his iconic performance on Turn the Page helped lift us to another level. He has been with us on stage virtually every show ever since … audiences roared every time he played his part. In our band, Alto was the rock star.’
Bob Seger said Reed’s ‘iconic performance on Turn the Page helped lift us to another level’
Well-remembered: Detroit classic rock radio host Jim O’Brien said the musician ‘was so proud of fans and family,’ adding ‘That’s all he talked about’
Reed, whose real name was Thomas Cartmell, ‘had a passion for discovering and experiencing new things,’ Seger said, recalling details of their adventures together.
‘He taught me how to sail on Biscayne Bay, we swam with the sharks (unintentionally!), and he often introduced us to local foods and restaurants he had discovered,’ Seger said. ‘I called him Captain. He was bolder than I was. I remember visiting him in the Miami area and I found him feeding the manatees in a lagoon behind his house. Most of us feed seagulls, Alto fed the manatees!’
The Hollywood Nights artist also detailed his friend’s personal life, saying ‘Alto started a family and was a fabulous father,’ and ‘helped raise two talented, beautiful, intelligent young ladies’ in his daughters Chelsea Reed Radler and Victoria Reed.
Seger issued a statement on Twitter Thursday in the wake of his bandmate’s passing
Icon: Seger was seen performing in Grand Rapids, Michigan in 2006
His daughters said in a statement to Detroit Free Press: ‘Our hearts are deeply broken by this enormous loss, but also filled with gratitude as we reflect on his legacy and how incredibly lucky we’ve been to get to call such a special guy dad.’
Detroit classic rock radio host Jim O’Brien recalled his exchanges with the musician to the newspaper.
‘It was just fun talking to him – he was always so excited about what was going on,’ O’Brien said. ‘He loved it. He was so proud of fans and family. That’s all he talked about. He did so much for people in Detroit that people didn’t know about. Just a great guy. You loved hearing the joy in his voice.’