Silver Bullet Band saxophonist Alto Reed died of colon cancer at the age of 72

Silver Bullet Band saxophonist Alto Reed died of colon cancer at the age of 72.

“With a heavy heart, we are informing you about the passing of our lifelong friend and bandmate, Alto Reed,” Seger, 75, said on Thursday.

He continued: “Alto passed away this morning at his home, with his family, next to him, after a brave battle with colon cancer. Alto has been part of our musical family, on and off stage, for almost 50 years.

RIP: Alto Reed, Bob Seger’s Silver Bullet Band saxophonist, died of colon cancer at age 72. He was rushed to sing in Florida in 2011

The artist Night Moves remembered his long connections with the talented musician.

“I started playing Alto in 1971,” Seger said. – It was amazing. He could play almost anything … he was funky, he could go down and play tenor saxophone and alto saxophone at the same time.

The Old Time Rock and Roll artist remembered how Reed played with him at his “first arena concert at Cobo Hall” in Detroit, where Reed came from.

“I asked him to be part of those shows,” Seger said. “Without a doubt, his iconic performance in Turn the Page helped us take it to another level. Every time he was with us on stage … the audience screamed every time he played his part. In our band, Alto was the rock star. ‘

Bob Seger said that “Reed’s iconic performance on Turn the Page helped us rise to another level.”

Remember: Detroit’s classic radio presenter Jim O’Brien said the musician “was so proud of his 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 the details of their adventures together.

“He taught me how to sail the Bay of Biscayne, I swam with the sharks (unintentionally!) And he often introduced us to the local dishes and restaurants he had discovered,” Seger said. – I named him captain. He was bolder than me. I remember visiting him in the Miami area and finding him feeding manatees in a lagoon behind his house. Most of us feed seagulls, Alto fed manatees! ‘

The Hollywood Nights artist also detailed his friend’s personal life, saying that “Alto started a family and was a fabulous father” and “helped raise two talented, beautiful, intelligent young women” in his daughters Chelsea Reed Radler and Victoria Reed.

Seger issued a statement on Twitter on Thursday following the passage of his bandmate

Icon: Seger was seen singing in Grand Rapids, Michigan in 2006

His daughters said in a statement to the Detroit Free Press: “Our hearts are deeply broken by this enormous loss, but we are also grateful as we reflect on his legacy and how incredibly lucky we were to have we came to call such a special father. ‘

Jim O’Brien, the classic radio host from Detroit, recalled his exchanges with the musician at the newspaper.

“It was just fun to talk to him – he was always so excited about what was happening,” O’Brien said. – He liked it. He was so proud of his fans and family. That’s what he talked about. He did so much for the people of Detroit that people didn’t know about. Just a great guy. You liked to hear the joy in his voice.