Classic Rock Radio

Every Night's a Saturday Night: The Rock 'n' Roll Life of Legendary Sax Man Bobby Keys

Bobby Keys With Bill Ditenhafer

Omnibus Press

Right from the start I have to tell you that you need to strap yourself in because not only is it a wild ride it is at times a story you may not believe. From the early days of Bobby listening in to Buddy Holly and the Crickets through the sessions for Elvis Presley and Dion and further into the sixties playing with Delaney and Bonnie and of course the Stones Bobby takes us through his life which is just an incredible jaunt through the back pages of music history

Bobby Keys grew up in Texas and at the right time too As I said he watched the Crickets rehearsing whilst touring with them and Bobby Vee at the age of 15 and from then the blue touch paper was lit. Of course many will want to hear about the Stones and you do get the full hit on that particular musical association and how Bobby and Keith Richards (Who share a birthday) bonded pretty much from the off when he did his first session for the band in 1969

For me the interesting part was the Delaney and Bonnie situation Bobby became one of the many "Friends" backing up the Bramletts  which while it may have been great musically you also note that all the major players who would go on to make a big name for themselves in the seventies left the band. Draw from that what you will but Bobby certainly doesn't pull any punches there.

If you were to mention his name however it would probably be in association with the Rolling Stones a band he has [played with for the best part of forty four years and believe me he and the Stones had some great adventures and stories really that are the stuff of legends. I won’t say too much other than to say that you really should read this book because  no matter what you think it is believe me you won’t even come close. You get an eye witness account of the Exile On Main Street sessions that is both honest and at times unbelievable.

Bobby Keys at the Exile On Main Street Sessions in 1971

Some great little snippets of information however for instance it was Bobby who played the Sax on Elvis Presley’s Return To Sender and also played the sax solo on The Wanderer although Bobby’s take wasn't used they copied his solo note for note. Facts like that are the kind of things that end up in quizzes the world over but Bobby was there and re tells the tale in this book.

For someone who travelled through the annals of Rock music for more than fifty years Bobby Keyes has come through this almost unscathed and he is still playing for the Stones as many will have seen in the last twelve months. Playing for the Stones however is not the only major name on Bobby’s CV.  Elvis, Eric Clapton, and Joe Cocker to George Harrison, John Lennon, Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Who and Harry Nilsson have all benefitted from Bobby’s talents over the years.

Whilst this is not the Kiss and tell that it could have been, and I am sure there is a very good reason for that this book really is a gem and Bobby is a real raconteur and tells a great story well. The book does however cover a lot of ground both musically and time wise but nothing is really rushed. I would live to see a second volume of Bobby’s story I am sure there are still many tales to tell but for now this book will certainly hold your interest.

“Whilst this is not the Kiss and tell that it could have been, and I am sure there is a very good reason for that this book really is a gem and Bobby is a real raconteur and tells a great story well”

Jon Kirkman CRR