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Boots Randolph was best known for ‘Yakety Sax’ which he wrote and recorded in 1963. It was later used as the theme for the Benny Hill TV show.
Randolph was a session musician who played for legendary artists including Roy Orbison, Brenda Lee and REO Speedwagon. He even played with ‘the king.’ His saxophone is heard on Elvis Presley’s ‘Return to Sender.’
A family spokeswoman says Randolph suffered a cerebral hemorrhage last month and had been in a coma since then. He was taken off a respirator and died shortly after.
Listen to Craig Havighurst’s interview with guitarist Harold Bradley, president of the American Federation of Musicians, who says Randolph ‘set the standard’ for the saxophone.
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