Steve Mackay, saxophonist with the Stooges, has died aged 66 after being hospitalised with sepsis.

Iggy Pop reacted to Mackay’s death with a statement on Facebook: “Steve was a classic ’60s American guy, full of generosity and love for anyone he met. Every time he put his sax to his lips and honked, he lightened my road and brightened the whole world. He was a credit to his group and his generation. To know him was to love him.”

The saxophonist provided the magic dust on the Stooges’ 1970 album Fun House and toured with the band that year. Born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Mackay met Iggy Pop while studying at the University of Michigan’s art school, and joined the band after being invited to lend his distinctive skronk to the songs ‘Fun House’ and ‘1970’.

He rejoined the band during for 2007’s The Weirdness and 2013’s Ready To Die, performing with the reunited Stooges at their live shows too. He also worked with Violent Femmes, R Stevie Moore and Sonny Vincent during his career.

Mackay’s death follows the loss of Stooges guitarist Ron Asheton in 2009 and drummer Scott Asheton last year. [via Guardian]