Boots Randolph | Nashville musician, 80

Saxophonist Boots Randolph, 80, whose spirited playing on songs such as "Yakety Sax" made him one of Nashville's top musicians, died there Tuesday. He suffered a cerebral hemorrhage June 25 and had been hospitalized in a coma.

Mr. Randolph played regularly in Nashville nightclubs for 30 years, becoming a tourist draw for the city much like Wayne Newton in Las Vegas and Pete Fountain in New Orleans. He recorded more than 40 albums and spent 15 years touring with the Festival of Music, teaming with fellow instrumentalists Chet Atkins and Floyd Cramer.

As a session musician, he played on such songs as Elvis Presley's "Return to Sender," Roy Orbison's "Oh, Pretty Woman," Brenda Lee's "I'm Sorry," and records of Buddy Holly and Johnny Cash. His biggest solo hit was in 1963, "Yakety Sax," which he wrote. - AP