Remembering Clarence Clemons - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

dshentertainmen2 · 06-19-2011, 09:11 AM

A week after having a massive Stroke, Clarence Clemons, beloved saxophonist for the E Street Band, died in a Palm Beach, Florida hospital yesterday where he was treated for the Stroke he suffered earlier this week.

Clarence "Big Man" Clemons was born on January 11, 1942 in Norfolk, Virginia and grew up in and around Chesapeake, Virginia.

In 1972, at age 30, Clemons joined Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band.

In a statement issued Saturday, Springsteen said of his longtime friend and bandmate: "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."

His imposing physique and brawny sound -- derived from the King Curtis and Junior Walker school of bruising, blues-based soul -- made him a fixture at concerts, even as his role on Springsteen albums diminished. He was recruited by other artists to play on their records, including Aretha Franklin, whose 1985 hit "Freeway of Love" featured a Clemons solo. The saxophonist was most recently heard on Lady Gaga's latest album, "Born This Way," which sold more than 1 million copies in its first week of release.

Clemons also recorded three solo albums, scoring a 1985 hit, "You're a Friend of Mine," a duet with Jackson Browne. He also racked up a number of acting credits, ranging from Martin Scorsese's 1977 movie, "New York, New York," to the HBO drama "The Wire," as well as a 2003 episode of "My Wife and Kids."

But his most famous role was as Springsteen's sidekick. In recent years he was in considerable pain from knee and hip ailments, and stayed seated through portions of Springsteen's physically taxing concerts; he resided on a throne during one tour, emblematic of his first-among-equals status in the E Street hierarchy. As each concert concluded, Clemons and Springsteen shared an embrace, a nightly renewal of the bond immortalized on the "Born to Run" album cover.

Clemons, a confirmed bachelor for most of his life, is survived by his wife of 11 years, Elizabeth Connell, who he married on August 5, 2000. They had no children.

McGillicuddy · 06-19-2011, 12:57 PM

RIP Clarence Clemons

I will cherish the memories of the concerts of BS&TESB I have attended over the years!!

06-19-2011, 09:11 AM	#1
dshentertainmen2 Member Occasional Poster Join Date: May 22, 2011 Posts: 19	Remembering Clarence Clemons A week after having a massive Stroke, Clarence Clemons, beloved saxophonist for the E Street Band, died in a Palm Beach, Florida hospital yesterday where he was treated for the Stroke he suffered earlier this week. Clarence "Big Man" Clemons was born on January 11, 1942 in Norfolk, Virginia and grew up in and around Chesapeake, Virginia. In 1972, at age 30, Clemons joined Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band. In a statement issued Saturday, Springsteen said of his longtime friend and bandmate: "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." His imposing physique and brawny sound -- derived from the King Curtis and Junior Walker school of bruising, blues-based soul -- made him a fixture at concerts, even as his role on Springsteen albums diminished. He was recruited by other artists to play on their records, including Aretha Franklin, whose 1985 hit "Freeway of Love" featured a Clemons solo. The saxophonist was most recently heard on Lady Gaga's latest album, "Born This Way," which sold more than 1 million copies in its first week of release. Clemons also recorded three solo albums, scoring a 1985 hit, "You're a Friend of Mine," a duet with Jackson Browne. He also racked up a number of acting credits, ranging from Martin Scorsese's 1977 movie, "New York, New York," to the HBO drama "The Wire," as well as a 2003 episode of "My Wife and Kids." But his most famous role was as Springsteen's sidekick. In recent years he was in considerable pain from knee and hip ailments, and stayed seated through portions of Springsteen's physically taxing concerts; he resided on a throne during one tour, emblematic of his first-among-equals status in the E Street hierarchy. As each concert concluded, Clemons and Springsteen shared an embrace, a nightly renewal of the bond immortalized on the "Born to Run" album cover. Clemons, a confirmed bachelor for most of his life, is survived by his wife of 11 years, Elizabeth Connell, who he married on August 5, 2000. They had no children.

06-19-2011, 12:57 PM	#2
McGillicuddy Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 28, 2002 Posts: 5,179	RIP Clarence Clemons I will cherish the memories of the concerts of BS&TESB I have attended over the years!!