The Silver Bullet Band leader fights back tears during an interview on SiriusXM as he recalled his last phone conversation with his longtime bandmate who died from colon cancer in late December 2020.
- Jun 22, 2021
AceShowbiz - Rock veteran Bob Seger doubts he will ever return to the road after struggling with the death of his longtime bandmate Alto Reed.
The saxophonist, 72, lost his battle with colon cancer in late December 2020, and it appears his Silver Bullet Band leader is still heartbroken.
Fighting back tears as he recalled his last phone conversation with Reed, Seger told SiriusXM, "I listened really hard to him. And he said, 'How grateful I am for my wonderful life...' "
"I thought that was so beautiful, and I thought he was so brave. I don't think I could go out [on tour] without him."
The old pals had worked together over the course of five decades, and toured together for the final time for Seger and the Silver Bullet Band's "Roll Me Aware" farewell trek in 2019.
Although fans still hoped Seger would continue on with solo shows after the farewell run, it seems he is no longer interested.
Reflecting on his career on the road, he said, "You know, I've had a great life, oh my goodness. I loved what I did. Never worked a day in my life, really. The hard parts were sleeping in hotels, having rotten food."
Seger mourned the loss of Reed just days before welcoming 2021. In a statement he shared on social media, the rocker remembered his pal, "Alto has been a part of our musical family, on and off stage, for nearly 50 years. 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."
"I loved him like a brother," the 76-year-old singer went on to add. "I may have been the leader, but he was our rock star. He was the audience favorite, hands down. He was bold and worldly. I learned so much from the guy. And he was a great ambassador to the fans. He took time for everybody, any picture, anywhere. I can't say enough good things about him."
