Rest in Peace, Big Man
To those of us who were blessed with the same first name, a monicker that pulled some of us into unwanted fights when we were kids, Clarence Clemons gave a special reason to feel proud. He didn't just wear the name, he enriched it!
Bruce Springsteen, among many others, appreciated the Big Man so much that the saxophonist became the heart and soul of the E Street Band. Like the rest of the band's outstanding musicians, he brought a fresh mix of jazz and soul to add a richness and depth to Springsteen's image-rich lyrics and New Jersey rock.
Springsteen would always introduce the Big Man "last, never least" as the crowd cheered before solos like the one above, a signature cool-down closer to "Jungleland."
"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," The Boss' statement reads in part. "His life, his memory, and his love will live on in that story and in our band."
Springsteen, according to reports, has been preparing to hit the road with the band again this fall. This video offers just a little taste of how hard the Big Man will be to replace.
You mean impossible to replace.
Posted by: JA | June 19, 2011 at 03:55 AM
I am deeply saddened to hear about Clarence. He was a great musician and saxophone player and he will be missed. I still have the song he did with Jackson Browne in the 80's-YOU'RE A FRIEND OF MINE and he brought great spirit to the boss and the E STREET BAND-the man was a rock legend.
I even once heard somewhere that he use to play with my favorite 80's band Journey in the 80's a few times which if that is indeed true-then that makes me happy,anyone that played with Journey back then is definitely a hero to me as well.
I will NEVER FORGET Clarence and the magic he brought to many with his god given talent and my heart goes out to Bruce and all those he touched and my thoughts and prayers are with them and all his loved ones.
REST IN PEACE FOREVER-YOUR LEGEND WILL FOREVER LIVE AND YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN.MAY GOD BE WITH YOU ALWAYS AND MAY YOU ROCK THE KINGDOM JUST AS YOU DID HERE ON EARTH. YOU WILL BE MISSED BUT ALWAYS REMEMBERED FONDLY-WE LOVE YOU ALWAYS.
Posted by: Callie Crandall | June 20, 2011 at 01:36 PM