Karl Denson To Join The Rolling Stones On Tour

When The Rolling Stones found out saxophonist Bobby Keys wouldn’t be able to join them for a tour of Australia and New Zealand late last year, the band called upon Karl Denson to play sax during the run. Sadly, Keys passed away in December. The Stones appreciated what Karl D. brought to the table and we can confirm they have added the saxophonist to the ranks of their touring band including a spot on stage during the upcoming Zip Code North American Tour.

Denson partially has old friend Lenny Kravitz to thank for his new role. When Kravitz heard Keys wouldn’t be able to tour, Lenny called his friends in The Stones and suggested Karl. Following a tour in which he soloed on “Brown Sugar” and helped out on other tunes, Denson is now a full-fledged member of a touring band that also includes Chuck Leavell. Leavell will sit-in with Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe at Lockn’ this September. If The Rolling Stones decide to perform all of Sticky Fingers in concert this summer, as Jagger discussed with Rolling Stone, Denson would be a fine addition since he covered the album in full during a 2012 tour with Anders Osborne and the rest of KDTU.

Watch Denson perform with The Stones on their first “Loving Cup” in eight years:

Here’s a “Brown Sugar” solo from the last Stones tour featuring Denson:

The Rolling Stones Tour Dates

5/24 -Petco Park -San Diego, CA
5/30 -Ohio Stadium -Columbus, OH
6/03 -TCF Bank Stadium -Minneapolis, MN
6/06 -AT&T Stadium -Arlington, TX
6/09 -Bobby Dodd Stadium -Atlanta, GA
6/12 -Orlando Citrus Bowl Stadium -Orlando, FL
6/17 -LP Field -Nashville, TN
6/20 -Heinz Field -Pittsburgh, PA
6/23 -Marcus Amphitheater -Milwaukee, WI
6/27 -Arrowhead Stadium -Kansas City, MO
7/01 -Carter-Finley Stadium -Raleigh, NC
7/04 -Indianapolis Motor Speedway -Indianapolis, IN
7/08 -Comerica Park -Detroit, MI
7/11 -Ralph Wilson Stadium -Buffalo, NY
7/15 -Le Festival d’ete de Quebec