Veteran Saxophonist Andrew Love Dies at Age 70

Andrew Love, the legendary Memphis Horns tenor saxophonist, died on Thursday (April 12) at age 70 following a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. In addition to his work on some of soul music’s greatest songs, he also performed with Stephen Stills, U2, the Doobie Brothers and many other classic rock artists.

According to Rolling Stone, Love and his longtime musical partner, trumpeter Wayne Jackson, played on 30 Grammy-winning songs, 52 No. 1 hits, and 113 Top Ten singles, eventually becoming the second group of backing musicians to be honored with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement award.

Without question, Love is most famous for playing on an endless string of seminal soul songs, many for Stax Records, such as Dusty Springfield’s ‘Son of a Preacher Man’ and Al Green’s ‘Let’s Stay Together.’ However, classic rock fans will recognize his work on Stephen Stills’ 1971 album ’2,’ U2′s 1988 collection ‘Rattle and Hum’ and the Doobies’ 1974 effort ‘What Once Were Vices Are Now Habits.’

The incredible list of musicians Love worked with also includes Rod Stewart, Joe Cocker, Sting, Bonnie Raitt, Peter Gabriel, Willie Nelson, B. B. King and Robert Cray.

According to the New York Times, Love is survived by his wife, the former Willie Davis, his brother, Roy; his sons, Vincent and Andre; his daughters, Terri Lawrence and Angela Parker; eight grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.