This past week I was sad to learn that two Rolling Stones sidemen, Bobby Keys and Ian McLagan, had passed away within one day of each other. Mostly what I knew about Bobby was his rip-roaring sax solos and the excerpts from Keith Richards' book about throwing TVs out of windows, etc. Honestly, some of the stories about Bobby make Keith's lifestyle sound tame, which is impressive.
I didn't know as much about Ian McLagan but was happy to learn that he played piano on one of my very favorite songs: "Ooh La La" (The Faces) as well as the Stones album Some Girls. I also read an NPR interview that included this interesting tidbit:
Wow. Good Guy Pete. What crazy lives these guys led.
Anyway, an article I read recently included this depressing sentence: "The double blow is another reminder that the classic era of rock culture is drawing to a close." SAY IT AIN'T SO! Sometimes I wonder if classic rock will die out once all its forerunners are gone, like doo wop and swing. I find it hard to believe and very sincerely hope it doesn't. The good news is that, according to our dearly departed Robin Williams, Keith Richards will outlive us all, in which case ROCK & ROLL WILL NEVER DIE.
R.I.P.
