'To know him was to love him': Iggy Pop pays tribute to The Stooges saxophone player Steve Mackay after his death at the age of 66 

By Caitlin O'toole For Dailymail.com

Published: 19:08 EST, 11 October 2015 | Updated: 02:06 EST, 12 October 2015

The Stooges saxophone player Steve Mackay has died aged 66.

Mackay was hospitalized in California last month with sepsis. 

Singer Iggy Pop payed tribute to the Fun House musician on Twitter on Sunday

Passed away: The Stooges saxophone player Steve Mackay, seen with Iggy Pop at the Sonisphere Festival in Finland on August 8, 2010, has died aged 66

Passed away: The Stooges saxophone player Steve Mackay, seen with Iggy Pop at the Sonisphere Festival in Finland on August 8, 2010, has died aged 66

'Steve was a classic '60s American guy, full of generosity and love for everyone he met.'

'Every time he put his sax to his lips and honked, he lightened my road and brightened the whole world,' wrote the singer.

'He was a credit to his group and to his generation. To know him was to love him.'

The Michigan-born Mackay joined the band in 1970, when he was featured on their second album Fun House.

Band mates: Singer Iggy Pop paid tribute to Mackay on Twitter on Sunday

Band mates: Singer Iggy Pop paid tribute to Mackay on Twitter on Sunday

Sax player: Mackay attends the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony with The Stooges on March 15, 2015 in New York City

Sax player: Mackay attends the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony with The Stooges on March 15, 2015 in New York City

He was recruited by Iggy and later toured with the Stooges in 1970, before leaving the group that same year.

He later returned to The Stooges when they reformed in 2003 and played at Coachella Music Festival for their first live show in 29 years.

The sax player was featured on their albums The Weirdness in 2007 and Ready To Die in 2010.

Rockers: The Stooges members, from left to right, Scott Thurston, Steve Mackay, James Williamson, Iggy Pop, Scott Asheton and Mike Watt at their Rock And Roll Hall of Fame induction in 2010

Rockers: The Stooges members, from left to right, Scott Thurston, Steve Mackay, James Williamson, Iggy Pop, Scott Asheton and Mike Watt at their Rock And Roll Hall of Fame induction in 2010

The band was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame in 2010.

Mackay also played with The Violent Femmes, as part of their 'horns of Dilemma' during live performances. He appeared on their albums Hallowed Ground and The Blind Leading The Naked.

It was revealed in September that Mackay had been hospitalized in Daly City, California with sepsis, an infection that can trigger organ failure.

Icons: Mackay and Iggy Pop performed in Hyde Park, London on July 13, 2012

Icons: Mackay and Iggy Pop performed in Hyde Park, London on July 13, 2012

 

 

 

Comments (12)

Share what you think

 View all

The comments below have not been moderated.

 View all

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

We are no longer accepting comments on this article.

Who is this week's top commenter? Find out now