During his 45-year tenure in Bob Seger s Silver Bullet Band, Alto Reed became one of rock n roll s premiere players and a show-stealing performer who provided a wealth of memorable moments beyond just his iconic, haunting 1973 track Turn the Page that became his signature.
Reed (real name Thomas Neal Cartmell) died on Wednesday morning, Dec. 30, at the age of 72, after battling stage four colon cancer. I was the leader, but he was our rock star, Seger, who d traveled to visit Reed earlier this month after learning of his situation, said on Wednesday. I loved him like a brother. He was bold, and worldly; I learned so much from the guy. He was just generous, wonderful, creative enormously creative.