Gene ‘Daddy G’ Barge, the legendary saxophonist, songwriter, and producer who shaped decades of rhythm and blues, has died at 98. His daughter, Gina, confirmed that he passed away in his sleep on Sunday, February 2, 2025, at his Chicago home.
Working straight away as a performer from the 1940s, he played in college jazz combos through consecutive stints with up-and-coming stars such as Little Richard and James Brown. The hit “C.C. Rider” in 1957 introduced his idiosyncratic saxophone solo into demand; after that, he would work for blues luminaries like Muddy Waters, Buddy Guy, and Willie Dixon. He was in the middle of the 1961 rock and roll masterpiece Quarter to Three. He co-produced Natalie Cole‘s Grammy-winning album, Sophisticated Lady.
Barge wasn’t strictly a studio musician. He toured during the early 1980s with the Rolling Stones and also played on Public Enemy’s 2005 album “New Whirl Odor”, for which he was credited as “the legendary Mr. Gene Barge.” His sax work helped establish a model for saxophonists like Clarence Clemons in Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band.
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As a Chess Records stalwart, Barge played on hits including Fontella Bass’ Rescue Me and produced albums for Waters and Little Milton. For Stax Records, he arranged gospel classics including Inez Andrews’ Lord Don’t Move the Mountain. He also worked extensively with Chuck Jackson and Marvin Yancey in shaping Natalie Cole’s breakthrough albums, Natalie and Unpredictable.
Apart from music, Barge had an excellent acting career and acted in several thrillers like Above the Law, The Package, and The Fugitive. He also worked as a consultant for Martin Scorsese’s documentary The Blues.
Even in his 80s, he remained active in Chicago’s music scene as part of the Chicago Rhythm and Blues Kings. Reflecting on his legacy, Barge once said, “You’ve got to move forward, stay contemporary, and keep up with young people—because that’s the future.”
Gene Barge’s influence on music remains undeniable, and his contributions will resonate for generations to come.
