| Detroit Free Press
Alto Reed, the saxophonist whose distinctive hooks and stage moves made him a star of the silver band Pop Seger, died Wednesday morning of colon cancer. He was 72 years old.
Born to Thomas Cartmel in Detroit, Reed was a purebred member of the Silver Bullet, who was recruited by Seger in 1974 as Detroit rockers sat on the cusp of a national outbreak. Alongside guitarist Chris Campbell, he was the longest-serving player in the group, touring with Seger and the Silver Bullet until late 2019.
He had been linked with Seger two years earlier, playing as part of the album sessions for „Back in ’72” – including his trademark introduction to Turn the Page.
Along with Seger, Reed became a familiar figure in rock and roll in the wake of the 1976 „Live Bullet”, and his surrounding theatrical moves and elegant presence add a visual touch to Seger’s live performances.
„I loved him like my brother,” said Seager in a statement. „Maybe I was a captain, but he was our rock star. He was a crowd favorite. He was bold and mundane. I learned a lot from this guy. He was a great ambassador for fans. He took time for everyone, any picture, anywhere. I can’t afford to. I say enough good things about him. „
The Saxe-Reed streaks were some of the most distinctive musical features of Seeger’s work – from the iconic sad opening „Turn the Page” to sizzling solos on numbers such as „Old Time Rock and Roll” and „Rock and Roll Never Forgets.”
Reid’s last show in his hometown was with the Silver Bullet on June 21, 2019, at the fully retail DTE Energy Music Theater, as Seger wrapped up a podium of six shows in the former Pine Knob.
Motor City Horns trombone player John Rutherford who has been part of the live Siger band for the past 15 years, said Reed has been a friendly, road-going character.
He was definitely a showman, Rutherford said, „but he did a great job at (balancing) the spirit of showmanship with the music – never sacrificing music.” „He was a teacher. Obviously, for us, joining a group that has been together for 35 years was kind of an adoption in a family, and he always did his best to meet friends of mine.”
His credits extended well beyond the Seger catalog: from the 1970s onwards, Reed also worked with works such as Ted Nugent, Robin Gibb, Enchantment, Fugue, Grand Funk Railroad and more.
Along with singer-songwriter Steve Dickinson, he released Red & Dickinson’s album „Tonight We Ride”, following the 1997 solo effort „Cool Breeze”.
Reid has also composed music for a pair of actor Jeff Daniels’ film projects: „Escanaba in Da Moonlight” and „Super Sucker”.
Perhaps his most beloved act with Seger came with „Turn the Page,” where Reed’s moody sax performance solo in the limelight would instantly spark a roar from the party crowd. Reed crafted his side – which has held out as one of the most famous Saks streaks in rock history – with the help of road manager Tom Wechsler, who encouraged him to envision a movie scene: a misty late-night alley down a street. a lamp.
Seeger said in a statement that his performance in the song „helped us to another level” and returned to his premieres at the Cobo Arena.
Jim O’Brien of classic rock station WCSX-FM (94.7), a weekday morning host who also organizes the regular „Seger Saturdays,” got to know Reed well over the years as he traveled out into the country to catch the band on a tour.
O’Brien said, „It was fun talking to him – he was always so excited about what was going on. He loved it.” „He was so proud of his fans and family. That’s all he talked about. He did a lot for people in Detroit that people didn’t know about. Just an amazing guy. I loved hearing the joy in his voice.”
O’Brien also recalled an unforgettable moment from the start of his WCSX career: Reid came to the station on September 11, 2002 – the first anniversary of the September 11 attacks – to perform „The Star-Spangled Banner”.
Reed’s daughters, Chelsea Reed Radler and musician Victoria Reed, remembered their father in a statement Friday:
„Our hearts are deeply shattered by this tremendous loss, but they are also filled with gratitude when we consider his legacy and how incredibly lucky we are to summon such a special man.”
Reid survived his sons, Chelsea Reed Radler, John Radler, Victoria Reed and Eric Deutsch; Grandson, Harry Radler; Sister of Nancy Newman, and son-in-law of Dave Newman. He also left behind his partner Christiana Van Rijn, his wife Sophia Van Rijn, and his ex-wife, 21-year-old Monica Reed.
The family requests donations in Reed’s name to the Detroit Harmony, an initiative established by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra to provide area students with musical instruments.
Contact Detroit Free Press musician Brian McCollum: 313-223-4450 or bmccollum@freepress.com.
Bob Seger on Alto Reed (Dec 30, 2020, statement):
With a heavy heart we inform you of the death of our lifelong friend and co-band, Alto Reed. Alto died this morning in his home with his family next to him after fighting a brave battle with colon cancer.
Alto has been a part of our musical family, on and off stage, for nearly 50 years. I first started playing with Alto in 1971. He was amazing. He could play almost anything & mldr; He was funky, he could waffle, and play Tenor Sachs and Alto Sachs at the same time.
We worked with Alto a lot and when we booked our first major concerts at Cobo Hall, we asked him to be a part of those shows. No doubt his outstanding performance on Turn The Page helped us take us to another level. He’s been with us on that stage on nearly every show, since then. Whether it was Turn The Page, Mainstreet, or Old Time Rock And Roll, audiences were rocking every time he played his role. In our band, Alto was a rock star.
Off the stage, Alto had a passion for discovering and trying new things. He taught me how to sail Biscayne Bay, we swam with sharks (unintentionally!), And he often introduced us to the local foods and restaurants that he discovered. I called him captain. He was more daring than I was. I remember visiting him in the Miami area and finding him feeding manatees in a lake behind his home. Most of us feed seagulls, and Alto feed manatees!
Alto founded a family and was an amazing father. Help raise two talented, beautiful and intelligent young women. Over the years, his passion for music, new life and adventures has not diminished. We loved him as a brother and we will miss him forever.
„Tocmai premiat pe rețelele de socializare. Specialist în produse alimentare. Antreprenor amator. Maven de cultură pop. Explorator subtil fermecător.”