Monday, June 20, 2011

RIP, BIG MAN

Clarence Anicholas Clemons, Jr., otherwise known as "The Big Man," saxophone player with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, passed away June 18th. An old friend of Springsteen from the earliest days, Clarence was Springsteen's foil on stage and rocked those soulful sax solos that filled out the E Street sound. He suffered a stroke June 12 and died of complications on the 18th at the age of 69.

"Clarence lived a wonderful life," Springsteen said in a public statement. "He carried within him a love of people that made them love him. He created a wondrous and extended family. He loved the saxophone, loved our fans and gave everything he had every night he stepped on stage. His loss is immeasurable and we are honored and thankful to have known him and had the opportunity to stand beside him for nearly forty years. He was my great friend, my partner and with Clarence at my side, my band and I were able to tell a story far deeper than those simply contained in our music. His life, his memory, and his love will live on in that story and in our band."

This clip is Bruce introducing Clarence to the crowd:

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