Alto Reed, saxophonist of Bob Seger’s Silver Bullet Band, dies of colon cancer at 72

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

“It is with a heavy heart that we report the passing away of our longtime friend and bandmate Alto Reed,” said Seger, 75, on Twitter on Thursday.

He continued: ‘Alto passed away this morning at his home with his family by his side after waging a courageous battle against colon cancer. Alto has been part of our musical family, on and off the stage, for almost 50 years. ‘

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

The artist Night Moves recalled his long ties with the talented musician.

“I started playing with Alto in 1971,” said Seger. ‘He was incredible. He played just about anything … he was funky, he could play tenor and alto sax at the same time.

The Old Time Rock and Roll artist recalled how Reed played alongside him at his ‘first show in the main arena at Cobo Hall’ in Detroit, where Reed came from.

“We invited him to be part of these programs,” said Seger. ‘Undoubtedly, his iconic performance on Turn the Page helped to take us to another level. He’s been with us on stage for virtually every show since then … the audience screamed every time he did his part. In our band, Alto was the rock star. ‘

Bob Seger said that ‘Reed’s iconic performance on Turn the Page helped take us to another level’

Well remembered: Detroit’s classic rock radio host Jim O’Brien said the musician ‘was so proud of his fans and family’, adding ‘That’s all he said’

Reed, whose real name was Thomas Cartmell, “had a passion for discovering and trying new things,” said Seger, recalling details of their adventures together.

“He taught me how to sail in Biscayne Bay, we swam with the sharks (unintentionally!) And he often introduced us to local foods and restaurants that he had discovered,” said Seger. – I called him captain. He was bolder than me. I remember visiting him in the Miami area and meeting him feeding the manatees in a pond behind his home. Most of us feed seagulls, Alto feeds manatees!

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 and smart young girls’ in his daughters, Chelsea Reed Radler and Victoria Reed.

Seger released a statement on Twitter on Thursday after the death of his bandmate

Icon: Seger was spotted in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 2006

His daughters said in a statement to the Detroit Free Press: ‘Our hearts are deeply broken by this huge loss, but also filled with gratitude as we reflect on his legacy and the incredible luck we had in calling such a special guy a father. ‘

Detroit’s classic rock radio host Jim O’Brien recalled his conversations with the musician for the newspaper.

“It was really fun to talk to him – he was always so excited about what was going on,” said O’Brien. ‘He loved it. He was so proud of the fans and the family. That’s all he talked about. He did so much for the people in Detroit that no one knew. Just a great guy. You loved hearing the joy in your voice. ‘