Reflecting on David Sanborn and his influence in St. Louis
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ST. LOUIS – A former St. Louisan musician and multi-Grammy award winner is being remembered by many for his impact in the music world.
Chances are, you’ve heard the name David Sanborn over the last 50 years. The influential saxophone player died Monday from prostate cancer.
He grew up in Kirkwood, and contracted polio when he was three years old. One doctor recommended that he take up a musical instrument to strengthen his lungs.
“I had various side effects from that, one of them being my lungs were a little weak,” Sanborn said in a 2011 interview. “When I was 11 years old, the doctors recommended I play a wind instrument as therapy.”
“How sweet it is” to have a St. Louis musician making his way onto records with the Rolling Stones, Stevie Wonder, James Brown, Albert King, and more.
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Sanborn was a member of the Saturday Night Live band before becoming a regular guest on Late Night with David Letterman in the World’s Most Dangerous Band with Paul Schaeffer.
A star with his name sits in the Delmar Loop. Blueberry Hill Owner Joe Edwards remembers meeting Sanborn over the years.
“He played with greats like Albert King and Little Milton Campbell and then the Eagles and Rolling Stones and how much they revered his saxophone talent,” Edwards said. “He was such a low-key guy; everybody liked being around him…he loved St. Louis.”
He had a noteworthy musical life that was well lived. And for any St. Louisan unfamiliar with his work, a walk down Delmar Loop will help take a step into his musical journey.
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