When you think of rock and roll, you immediately think of iconic guitar riffs, incredible vocals, or solid keyboard solos. What about the dude with the saxophone? Let’s show some love for the poor child that was probably picked on in school, only to get revenge by being a rock star.
Clarence Clemmons, a member of the E Street Band, is one of the best examples. His solos in “Jungleland,” “10th Avenue Freeze Out,” or “Born to Run,” are classic moments in rock.
If you’re a Pink Floyd fan, you probably love ‘Us or Them,” from Dick Parry. Dick is a legendary session player in England, making waves with Pink and later David Gilmour.
Billy Joel needed heat in the song “Just the Way You Are,” so he called upon Phil Woods, saxophone extraordinaire. Although Phil enjoyed jazz, he jumped at the chance to work with Billy. Sadly Phil died in 2015 at the age of 83.
No conversation about great saxophone artists could be complete without mentioning the godfather of soul/pop, Motown’s very own ‘Shotgun” Junior Walker. Get “Urgent” from Foreigner and turn up the saxophone solo – pure joy and genius.
Honorable mentions to Bob Seger’s Alto Reed, LeRoi Moore from the Dave Matthews band, and Ronnie Ross from the Lou Reed band.
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