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Vintage early 20th-century ‘Knickerbocker’ baritone saxophone (possibly Martin or Buescher) from the personal collection of Alto Reed, the longtime saxophonist for Bob Seger’s Silver Bullet Band, whose work on classic songs like ‘Turn the Page’ and ‘Old Time Rock & Roll’ helped define the sound of American heartland rock. The body is stamped with the serial number, “12116,” believed to date between 1908-1915, with etched number below: “C 636 792 626 377.” In very good to fine condition, with scattered wear, scuffs, and pitting; a few cork areas have been replaced with blue tape. Accompanied by a vintage hardshell carrying case.
Saxophonist Alto Reed became a defining part of Bob Seger’s sound when he first joined him on the 1973 album Back in ’72. What followed was a 42-year run touring with the Silver Bullet Band, where Reed’s saxophone grew into a second voice within the music. His playing wasn’t ornamental; it carried emotion and meaning, most famously on “Turn the Page,” where his restrained, mournful tone captured a sense of loneliness and resilience. That sound helped shape an era of American rock, quietly bridging Seger’s storytelling lyrics with melodic depth. Beyond his long partnership with Seger, Reed performed with a wide range of artists across rock and blues, including Foghat, Grand Funk Railroad, Little Feat, Otis Rush, George Thorogood, Robin Gibb, and many others.
Following Reed’s death in 2020, Seger said the following about his late friend: ‘I loved him like a brother. 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.’
From the collection of Alto Reed, accompanied by a letter of provenance from Victoria Reed.
