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Longtime saxophonist for the Rolling Stones, Bobby Keys, died at his home in Franklin, Tennessee today (Dec 2) after a long illness. He was 70.

Bobby Keys was born in Slaton, Texas, on December 18, 1943. He shared the same birth date with Keith Richards, who in his 2010 autobiography, “Life,” referred to Keys as his “closest pal”.

Keith Richards posted the following message on Twitter:

I have lost the largest pal in the world and I can’t express the sense of sadness I feel, although Bobby would tell me to cheer up. My condolences to all that knew him and his love of music.

The official statement from the band reads:

The Rolling Stones are devastated by the loss of their very dear friend and legendary saxophone player, Bobby Keys.Bobby made a unique musical contribution to the band since the 1960s. He will be greatly missed.

As a teenager living in Lubbock, Texas, Keys witnessed performances by some of the great early rock ‘n’ roll stars, including Elvis Presley and Buddy Holly. He would befriend Holly and play saxophone for him briefly.

Keys’ big break came in the early 1960s playing with Bobby Vee on Dick Clark’s Caravan of Stars tour, alongside the likes of Little Eva and Freddy Cannon. It was while backing Bobby Vee at the San Antonio Teen Fair in 1964 that Keys first encountered the Rolling Stones. His musical collaboration with the band began in 1969 when producer Jimmy Miller called him in to play the saxophone solo on “Live with Me”, which appeared on the “Let It Bleed” album. Keys would go on to play on some of the best loved and most critically acclaimed Rolling Stones material. He can be heard on the albums “Sticky Fingers” (1971), “Exile on Main St.” (1972), “Goats Head Soup” (1973) and “Emotional Rescue” (1980).

Keys was also a regular member of the Rolling Stones tour band, featuring on most tours from 1970 to the current 2014 tour.

“Live With Me” (Live 1971) – The Rolling Stones

“Can’t You Hear Me Knocking” (Live 2003) – The Rolling Stones

Other artists with whom Keys worked included John Lennon, Eric Clapton, Lynyrd Skynyrd, the Who, George Harrison, Harry Nilsson, Delaney Bramlett and Joe Cocker.