Rip Alto Reed

[R3P0]

RIP Alto you were the soul in the Silver Bullet Band

Detroit musician Alto Reed, best known as the saxophone player in Bob Seger's band, died Wednesday at age 72 after battling stage four colon cancer.

His musicality and woodwind chops are forever part of rock and roll history with his contributions to songs such as "Old Time Rock and Roll" and "Turn the Page." The saxophonist also is remembered for the electric showmanship he brought to the Silver Bullet Band's live concerts, most notably, "Live Bullet" at Cobo Hall in 1975.

"Alto has been a part of our musical family, on and off stage, for nearly 50 years," said Seger in a statement issued Wednesday. " I first starting playing with Alto in 1971. He was amazing — he could play just about anything … he was funky, could scat and play tenor sax and alto sax at the same time."

In his tribute, Seger said in the band, "Alto was the rock star."