A cornerstone of the E Street Band has now passed away. Saxophonist Clarence Clemons died Saturday evening at 69, just days after suffering a serious stroke. Shortly after news of the death, Bruce Springsteen offered this statement.
“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 met Springsteen on a rainy, windy night in Asbury Park in the early 70s—and the rest, as they say, is history. But Clemons and Springsteen were in a similar circle of musicians in the fertile Asbury Park scene of the time, so an encounter and subsequent partnership was hardly a surprise. Fast-forward several decades, and it's difficult to imagine the E Street Band without Clemons' powerful sax.
Clemons also branched far beyond the E Street Band, and gigged with a long list of famous musicians. Most recently, Clemons appeared in the Lady Gaga video for 'The Edge of Glory,' and also gigged on the track, 'Hair.' This was musician who remained active to the very end.
“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 met Springsteen on a rainy, windy night in Asbury Park in the early 70s—and the rest, as they say, is history. But Clemons and Springsteen were in a similar circle of musicians in the fertile Asbury Park scene of the time, so an encounter and subsequent partnership was hardly a surprise. Fast-forward several decades, and it's difficult to imagine the E Street Band without Clemons' powerful sax.
Clemons also branched far beyond the E Street Band, and gigged with a long list of famous musicians. Most recently, Clemons appeared in the Lady Gaga video for 'The Edge of Glory,' and also gigged on the track, 'Hair.' This was musician who remained active to the very end.
