Clarence Clemons, who died Saturday at age 69, was one of rock’s greatest sidemen. He was a hired gun as part of the E Street Band but he was also Bruce Springsteen’s greatest foil. His imposing physical presence and boisterous saxophone solos were integral to Springsteen’s songs and shows.

Here’s a sampling of musicians who have made vital contributions as sidemen/women in rock history (arranged alphabetically):

Mike Campbell, guitar: Tom Petty’s guitarist, songwriting partner and musical confidante in the Heartbreakers since the ‘70s.

Cliff Gallup, guitar: As the key member of Gene Vincent’s Blue Caps, Gallup revolutionized the art of electric-guitar playing in the ‘50s. Just ask Jeff Beck.

Lisa Germano, violin: In between her own solo albums, Germano has worked with everyone from David Bowie and Iggy Pop to John Mellencamp and Sheryl Crow.

Jerome Green, maracas: Bo Diddley’s percussionist was integral to the famed “Bo Diddley beat.”

Nicky Hopkins, piano: His counterpoint melodies and solos distinguished countless records by The Who, the Jefferson Airplane, the Kinks, and, most notably, the Rolling Stones.

James Jamerson, bass: The dancefloor pulse behind a trove of Motown hits for the Temptations, the Supremes, the Four Tops and more.

Johnnie Johnson, piano: The self-effacing master never got his due as a creative force on many of Chuck Berry’s greatest hits.

Carole Kaye, bass: The foundation of Los Angeles’ famed Wrecking Crew, which played on hundreds of hits and ruled California pop in the ‘60s, from Phil Spector to the Beach Boys.

Al Kooper, organ: His playing defined countless Bob Dylan songs, including “Like a Rolling Stone,” and he served as band leader and arranger on Dylan’s double-album masterpiece, “Blonde on Blonde.”

Mike Mogis, multi-instrumentalist/producer: The key behind-the-scenes player in the burgeoning Nebraska scene that flourished in the last 15 years with Bright Eyes.

Pino Palladino, bass: He’s done stellar work the last two decades with everyone from D’Angelo and John Mayer to The Who.

Billy Preston, keyboards: The rare performer who jammed extensively with both the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, as well as countless others.

Mick Ronson, guitar: The secret weapon of England’s glam-rock ‘70s, closely associated with Mott the Hoople, Lou Reed and the "Ziggy Stardust"-era David Bowie.

Jane Scarpantoni, cello: A classically trained musician who has graced albums by R.E.M., Lou Reed, Bob Mould and the Indigo Girls, among many.

Clyde Stubblefield, drums: James Brown’s command to “give the drummer some” ushered in the most famous drum solo in funk history; Stubblefield’s “Funky Drummer” groove has been sampled on countless hip-hop hits.

greg@gregkot.com

    Even if he hadn’t played a note, saxophonist Clarence Clemons would own an exalted place in rock history for the way he was depicted on an iconic album cover.

    Clemons, 69, died Saturday in a Palm Beach, Fla.,  hospital after suffering a stroke several days ago.

    In a stark black-and-white fold-out image on the cover of Bruce Springsteen’s 1975 breakthrough album, “Born to Run,” the imposing saxophonist hunched over his instrument while a bearded, leather-jacketed Springsteen leaned on his shoulder. The image suggested a brotherly bond between the two and in this case it wasn’t just record-industry hokum. Clemons was an integral part of Springsteen’s E Street Band for four decades.

    “Who are these guys? Where did they come from? What is the joke they are sharing?” Springsteen once wrote of the cover photograph’s enduring allure.