Clarence Clemons Dead at 69

[Apache Warrior]

Clarence Clemons, the longtime saxophonist for Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, suffered a stroke last night at his Florida home. The severity of the stroke hasn't been confirmed at press time, but 411.com, the site that broke the story, writes that Clemons is "seriously ill" and that members of the E Street Band have been told to visit him in Florida "as soon as possible." (Rolling Stone has also confirmed the news.) .

The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer has been a member of the E Street Band since the group's 1973 debut on Greetings From Asbury Park, N.J. Dubbed the "Big Man" by fans, the 69-year-old Clemons' sax highlighted Springsteen tracks like "Born to Run" and "Badlands." In addition to his work with Bruce, Clemons also appeared on songs by Aretha Franklin, Jackson Browne, and most recently Lady Gaga, who recruited Clemons to provide sax solos for her Born This Way tracks "The Edge of Glory" and "Hair." Clemons recently performed with Lady Gaga on the American Idol finale..

Following news of Clemons' stroke, Gaga tweeted, "Little monsters, my very close friend + musician on The Edge of Glory, Clarence Clemons is very sick. Can we all make some get well videos?" Clemons' nephew, saxophonist Jake Clemons, wrote on his Facebook page, "Please do not lose Hope!".

Clemons has dealt with multiple health issues in recent years. In 2008, he underwent double knee-replacement surgery, an operation that rendered him immobile for three months until Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band's Super Bowl halftime performance in 2009. Clemons was also supposed to perform the National Anthem at Game 2 of the NBA Finals in Miami but had to cancel because of a hand injury. .

Despite his physical setbacks, Clemons has vowed to continue touring with the Boss. "As long as my mouth, hands and brain still work I'll be out there doing it," he told Rolling Stone earlier this year. "I'm going to keep going 'til I'm not there anymore. This is what's keeping me alive and feeling young and inspired.".

UPDATE: Springsteen fansite Backstreets reports that Clemons has undergone two brain surgeries in a Florida hospital and is currently responsive and in stable condition. "If anyone can pull off the miracle, it's him. He's fought back from so much before," a close friend of Clemons told Backstreets. Clemons is still "in a fight for his life," however.

I hope he makes it. The E Street Band will not be the same without him.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLzDMNwClvc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYHGh6lmSbo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PTJHhUeAfc
Apache

[Apache Warrior]

Clarence Clemons died today.

Clarence Clemons, legendary saxophonist and the mountain of Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band, passed away on Saturday after suffering a stroke last week in Florida. He was 69.

Clemons, a Norfolk, Virginia native, joined what would become the E Street Band in 1972 after meeting Springsteen in an Asbury Park club – whose doors he allegedly tore off in the middle of a lightening storm. Indeed, Clemons, both in physique and personality, was larger than life.

In a statement, Springsteen reflected fondly of his bandmate and friend.

"Clarence lived a wonderful life. 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."

Clemons played with numerous other artists, including Ringo Starr and Aretha Franklin. He also released five solo albums, as well as a semi-fictional autobiography in 2009.

His health began to falter in recent years, and he had recently undergone spinal fusion surgery and had both knees replaced. But even those obstacles didn’t stop him.

Apache

[BlackArrow]

What an enormous loss. For me it's hard to believe he was 69, let alone that he has passed away. Being born and raised in New Jersey, Springsteen and the E Street Band are part of the fabric of my youth and adulthood...a staple of going to the shore as a kid and the epitome of the bands that we listened to in Jersey's small bars and nightclubs during those late summer nights - sort of the musical score to our life in Jersey. Their music has been a huge part of who we are for over 40 years and Clarence was a huge part of Springsteen's music.

Although Bruce is still around and at some point may play or tour, it will never be the same.

[Rand{CLR}]

R.I.P. Big Man.

-Rand

[Minerva]

What a loss indeed.

[Apache Warrior]

He was so much of the E Street Sound.. You are right BA, it will not be the same.
Apache

[Trooper110]

Sad sad day

[WalkinTarget]

I nominate a correction to the thread title !

CC had chunks of Kenny G in his stool ... he was that good.

[Infamous]

i just remember what he told bill and ted

Rock on, and be excellent to each other.