Does anyone miss the use of the Saxophone or even horns in Rock music? It seems from Rock's founding through the early 80s this was pretty big especially with Hard Rock bands, and imo it added another dimension to a lot of rock songs--A sexual, sultry sort of element--A sleaziness that modern rock doesn't have. Some examples:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDunXAnMzPU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nb8FgvstQu4

Does anyone miss the use of the Saxophone or even horns in Rock music? It seems from Rock's founding through the early 80s this was pretty big especially with Hard Rock bands, and imo it added another dimension to a lot of rock songs--A sexual, sultry sort of element--A sleaziness that modern rock doesn't have. Some examples:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDunXAnMzPU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nb8FgvstQu4



I like the horns in songs like "Baker Street"- Gerry Rafferty, "Us and them" Pink Floyd, "It's still rock'n roll to me " Billy Joel

I associate multiple wind instruments with Progressive Rock.  Anything from Soft Machine to ELO.  Prog has always welcomed orchestration whereas punk and new wave were more wary of it.  The interest in those movements rant from roots rock to minimalism.  However, there was an audience who wanted something more ornate than the Ramones or OMD. 

My favorite band, The Legendary Pink Dots wrote (writes?) songs including a wind section including bass trombone and bassoon. 

One of the first songs that really drew me to the band was "I Love You in Your Tragic Beauty," which featured a horn section, primarily at the end of the song. 

In the '80s, bands like Squeeze and Madness made generous use of horn sections.  Now some might argue Squeeze is R&B and Madness is Ska.  Never mind, they were both marked to the Top 40 market in their time.

I guess it might've been a late 70's thing (even though I wasn't around then). I know this from some of the music I've listened to.

One "rock" type song (which I consider it to be because I've heard it on classic rock stations) that comes to mind from that time period is "Baker Street" by Gerry Rafferty, which has a notable use of the saxophone.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QF5dtePX5Jk

And then there was 1970s Chicago, a group that had horns (and other wind instruments) and just about everything else in most of their early hits.

And then there was 1970s Chicago, a group that had horns (and other wind instruments) and just about everything else in most of their early hits.


There was about a 15-year period of dismay when musicians found synthesizer taking over all the commercials and b-movies. 

Musicians whined about this understandably, but I always say you cannot synthesize the sound of a clarinet or a violin even with today's most modern programs.  Accidental harmonics.  Chance noises.  You start wiping all that out in the mix, you might have wiped out one of the composer's irreplaceable sound samples which makes realizing the piece possible...

http://www.inthe00s.com/smile/13/icon_sunny.gif

One of my faves... 8)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-mU-YSk32I

A jaw-droppingly fine one, 2:21 onwards...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCwWn6yYH9A

One of my faves... 8)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-mU-YSk32I

Oh yes, that's a great one too. From Beverly Hills Cop. O0

To me, the BEST use of a SAX in popular music was the late 80's hit AIN'T GOOD LOVIN' by Diamond in the Rough.  I don't believe this made it out of Canada, but it should have ...

http://www.veoh.com/browse/videos/category/music/watch/v989758deThRsDP

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BodXwAYeTfM

Does anyone miss the use of the Saxophone or even horns in Rock music? It seems from Rock's founding through the early 80s this was pretty big especially with Hard Rock bands, and imo it added another dimension to a lot of rock songs--A sexual, sultry sort of element--A sleaziness that modern rock doesn't have. Some examples:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDunXAnMzPU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nb8FgvstQu4




"...and imo it added another dimension to a lot of rock songs--A sexual, sultry sort of element--A sleaziness that modern rock doesn't have".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JA6id4--BDg

Urgent - Foreigner (1981), with Junior Walker on sax.

I thought of this song since I heard it was one of Prince Charles and Lady Di's favorites back in the day...
and I thought of that after I saw Stephen Frears' "The Queen" on television yesterday morning. I was surprised, it was a really good movie.

"...and imo it added another dimension to a lot of rock songs--A sexual, sultry sort of element--A sleaziness that modern rock doesn't have".

Urgent - Foreigner (1981), with Junior Walker on sax.

I thought of this song since I heard it was one of Prince Charles and Lady Di's favorites back in the day...
and I thought of that after I saw Stephen Frears' "The Queen" on television yesterday morning. I was surprised, it was a really good movie.



I crack up when I think about Charles and Di getting down to Foreigner. 
;D

Here's some cheesy sax from one of my favorite bands from back in the day:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHx5QUpfjVQ

I made this a while ago ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hM_lRy-14E

My favorite sax song is Soul Serenade by King Curtis.  The version on youtube doesn't do the studio version justice.  It's worth the download if you love a sexy sax.

Double (pronounced doo-blay): The Captain of Her Heart (1986)

Noted for its soprano saxophone, cool piano motif, and smooth jazz/bossa nova rhythm.  The fawning critics and the band themselves downplayed the synthesizer, which underpins the atmosphere of the entire song.

Anyway, this was the first time I saw soprano sax in a pop video.  Kenny G was getting popular at the time, he plays soprano sax, but let's not go there!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YX-Ru1XkNZc

I always thought this song had a really cool sax solo.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysXMAOgEIq4

I always loved the diabolical horn section in this song!

Earache My Eye featuring Alice Bowie

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wy51CTN6AfE

Sorry, it's sans "e-earache my eye, how would you like a butt ache."
:(

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3BAvjgtL80&feature=related
8)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3BAvjgtL80&feature=related
8)



It was the devil's music back then too!
http://www.inthe00s.com/smile/03/diablotin.gif

Now, would you like some more Jethro Tull? (asked the devil)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsCyC1dZiN8

Let me qualify that -- the flute is neither a saxophone nor a horn, but it is a wind instrument, which is what I think the intent of this thread was.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpYeqlvLAxQ

Chicago - Beginnings {1969}


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OxWSOuNsN20

Blood, Sweat & Tears - You've Made Me So Very Happy {1969}


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJmjdfWvqlc

Chicago - Make Me Smile {1970}


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRu93TEcSl8

The Ides Of March - Vehicle {1970}


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvVN_KRriTM

Lighthouse - One Fine Morning {1971}


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWODczdgGDQ

Dialogue (Part I & II) {1972}


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vh-IR5d5ywM

Lighthouse - Pretty Lady {1973}



Dan

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srPPL858WcM

Tower Of Power - So Very Hard To Go {1973}



Dan

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgAtvJNIdrU

Eddie Kendricks - Keep On Truckin' {1973}



Dan

Nobody posted this good rocker by The Doors?

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Even though Chicago is mentioned, here's a good rocker from them....

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No one has even mentioned Steve Winwood's band Traffic....

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Or Paul McCartney's band Wings....

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Even in the 90's you had Brian Setzer making rock songs with a Big Band!

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I have more, but as of now, enjoy....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElQdOTrvzBA

Edgar Winter - Keep Playin' That Rock 'N' Roll {1971}


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrBx6mAWYPU

Commodores - Brick House {1977}


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vE2zx4lr-h8

Earth, Wind And Fire - Getaway {1976}



Dan

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNM0oCVTYdY

Chase - Get It On {1971}



Dan

Frank Zappa & The Mothers: Call Any Vegetable

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOLOnJbBdkI&feature=related

One from the '70s.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAPxsaRB30M

Edit: I forgot...
Zoot, sax was his axe.

Here's a very good one from Slade....

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CgRJ81hTFG0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oueX4maRvQk

Roxy Music - Angel Eyes {1979}



Dan

The Coasters: Yakety-Yak

One of my favorite saxophone breaks and sax plays throughout the song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtTC3pGBjs4&NR=1

My dad was also fond of quoting this song...

"Don't give me no dirty looks, your father's hip, he knows what cooks!"

"Just tell your hoodlum friends outside you ain't got time to take a ride!"

...et ainsi de suite.

http://www.inthe00s.com/smile/12/disgust.gif