Bobby Keys Shines on The Rolling Stones’ Unreleased Track ‘Knee Trembler’ (1978)

By Marcelo Sonaglioni on February 20, 2025

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Rolling Stones unreleased: Knee Trembler

Written by: Jagger/Richards
Recorded: RCA Studios, Hollywood, USA, Aug-Sept. 1978
Guest musicians: Bobby Keys (sax), Ian McLagan (organ)

From Martin Elliott’s book THE ROLLING STONES COMPLETE RECORDING SESSIONS 1962-2012:
It had been a while since Bobby Keys had appeared as a session player. This instrumental track with a heavy organ underneath is a jazz funk number with a strong bass line.

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**More about Knee Trembler by The Rolling Stones**

*By Marcelo Sonaglioni
Bobby Keys was a saxophone legend, and his work with the Rolling Stones remains some of the most iconic in rock history. From his unforgettable solo on Brown Sugar to his fiery playing on Can’t You Hear Me Knocking, Keys brought a raw, soulful energy that perfectly complemented the band’s gritty sound. But beyond the well-known classics, there are also hidden gems featuring his unmistakable saxophone magic.

On Knee Trembler, an unreleased instrumental from 1978, captures Keys at his best. It had been a while since he had appeared as a session player, but when he stepped into the studio for this recording, he proved that his signature style was as powerful as ever. The track is built on a groovy jazz-funk foundation, with a heavy organ laying down a moody atmosphere and a deep, rolling bass line driving the rhythm forward. Over this backdrop, Keys delivers a performance full of soul, energy, and a touch of that rock ‘n’ roll grit he was known for.

While the song never made it onto an official release, it serves as a reminder of Bobby Keys’ greatness and the unique chemistry he had with the Stones. His ability to blend rock, blues, and jazz elements into something entirely his own was what made him such an irreplaceable part of the band’s extended family. Whether in the spotlight or adding texture to a track, his saxophone playing always had a way of elevating the music.

For die-hard fans, this instrumental is a rare treasure, a glimpse into what could have been. Even in an unofficial capacity, Bobby Keys’ contribution to the Stones’ sound remains unforgettable—a testament to a musician whose influence stretched far beyond what was ever officially released.

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