(CNN) — American saxophonist Bobby Keys, who for years toured and recorded with the Rolling Stones, has died, postings on the band’s Twitter account said Tuesday.
“The Rolling Stones are devastated by the loss of their very dear friend and legendary saxophone player, Bobby Keys,” the band said on Twitter.
“Bobby made a unique musical contribution to the band since the 1960’s. He will be greatly missed.”
The band’s Keith Richards paid tribute to Keys on the Rolling Stones’ Facebook page.
“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,” the post attributed to Richards reads. “My condolences to all that knew him and his love of music.”
News of Keys’ death comes about a month and a half after the band said he would miss the Stones’ Australian and New Zealand tour dates because he was “under doctor’s orders to take it a bit easy for the next month.”
