Michael “Tunes” Antunes, longtime saxophonist for John Cafferty & the Beaver Brown Band and a central figure in the group’s rise from East Coast bar rooms to platinum-selling success, died on Aug. 19, nine days after his 85th birthday.

The band confirmed his passing through a statement and video tribute posted by frontman John Cafferty, who shared footage of Antunes’ stirring solo on “Tender Years,” a track that became one of Beaver Brown’s signature songs. “Our hearts are filled with so many emotions,” Cafferty wrote. “Love, gratitude, respect, joy for our precious time together and sadness for our gentle fond farewell. It will always be one of life’s true gifts to have traveled the world over these many years within Tunes’ inner circle of love and magic.”

Known to fans simply as “Tunes,” Antunes joined Beaver Brown in the early 1970s. His saxophone became an essential element of the group’s sound, bringing a soulful, unvarnished energy that helped the Rhode Island-based bar band connect with audiences across the Northeast.

The band found its widest exposure through the 1983 film Eddie and the Cruisers, for which they provided the soundtrack. Cafferty’s songs, already staples in clubs from Rhode Island to New Jersey, were suddenly launched onto the national stage. “On the Dark Side,” featuring Antunes’ fiery playing, reached No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100, topped the Mainstream Rock chart, and has since been streamed more than 47 million times, according to Luminate. The soundtrack eventually went triple Platinum in 1995.

“On the Dark Side” and “Tender Years” gave Beaver Brown their highest-charting singles, and Antunes’ live solos on both tracks became highlights of the band’s shows for decades.

Antunes’ work with Beaver Brown extended beyond the Eddie and the Cruisers phenomenon. The band’s 1985 album Tough All Over produced additional radio favorites, and one track, “Voice of America’s Sons,” was selected by Sylvester Stallone for the soundtrack of his 1986 action film Cobra. Antunes also appeared on the band’s 1988 record Roadhouse, as well as their early single “Wild Summer Nights.”

In addition to his long tenure with Beaver Brown, Antunes joined the group in 2003 to contribute to Light of Day: A Tribute to Bruce Springsteen, recording a cover of “E Street Shuffle” for the benefit compilation.

Earlier this year, Antunes performed with the band on Sound of Waves, their first album of original material in nearly four decades. In April, the group played New York’s Cutting Room to showcase the release, where industry veteran Steve Leeds remarked that the band “still have it.”

Michael Antunes was born Aug. 10, 1940, in New Bedford, Massachusetts, the son of Peter and Mary Antunes. Proud of his Cape Verdean heritage, he grew up in a musical family. His grandfather Joaquim played guitar and violin locally in the 1920s and ’30s, while his father performed on upright bass, guitar, and organ around New England.

Antunes began playing professionally at 13 with Dartmouth High School’s stage band. He soon joined family members in a group called Second Generation, performing Cape Verdean music with his brother David and cousin Joe Silva.

Antunes is survived by siblings Jackie, David, and Anthony; nine children - Deborah, Michael, Juanita, Juan, Kevin, Derek, Michael, Dina, and Wendle, as well as 20 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren. A funeral service is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 28, at the Saunders-Dwyer Funeral Home in New Bedford.