Clarence Clemons Dead at age 69

Rockmusician · #1 06-18-2011, 08:02 PM

Sad day. I was never a huge Springsteen fan but Clarence Clemons was an extremely talented musician and a great guy.

Clarence Clemons, Bruce Springsteen's longtime saxophone player and a legend in the music industry, died Saturday from complications following a stroke he suffered about a week ago.

Clemons' sax has been one of the most defining elements of the E Street Band's sound. He has suffered from numerous ailments over the last few years. He had double knee surgery and even had to perform from a wheelchair at one point.

But his health seemed to be improving. Just last month, he performed with Lady Gaga on the season finale of "American Idol."

Clemons scored a Top 20 hit in 1985 with the song "You're a Friend of Mine," a duet with Jackson Browne that appears on Clemons' album "Hero." Clemons was 69 years old.

The Newark Star-Ledger reports that: "Springsteen's oft-told story of his initial meeting with Clemons felt Biblical: with a lightning storm raging outside, the Big Man tore the door off an Asbury Park club, strode onstage, and made magic. Springsteen would later immortalize this meeting in "Tenth Avenue Freeze-out," a song on "Born to Run.""

Clemons was born in Norfolk, Va., to a Baptist minister who had no love for rock 'n' roll, The Star-Ledger reports. However, he got a saxophone at age 9, and when a car accident ruined his budding football career after college, he dedicated himself to music.

genstormbringer · #2 06-18-2011, 08:04 PM

RIP CC play that Sax for the Big Guy in The Sky!!! Bruce's best stuff is when CC and The E Street Band are w him. From Born In The USA on Bruce didn't matter for me.

bassguppy · #3 06-18-2011, 08:06 PM

Just horrible & very sad. Rest in Peace Clarence.

chuck3 · #4 06-18-2011, 08:08 PM

RIP - changed how the sax sounded in a rock band back in the early '70s, and everyone went from there.

capnsandwich · #5 06-18-2011, 08:12 PM

RIP, sax man. I love sax and this guy helped me love even more.

bassteban · #6 06-18-2011, 08:14 PM

Aw, man. Played a coupla Bruce tunes earlier today, wish I woulda known so I coulda cried. RIP, CC

cableguy · #7 06-18-2011, 08:14 PM

Not a big Bruce fan but I always dug watching the big guy play. He definately put the sax in the mix of my little world of rock music. You could tell by watching him play that he had a gift and a love of doing what he did. The two do not always go together. RIP CC.

onewebfoot · #8 06-18-2011, 08:25 PM

Just registering a post to express the sadness at our collective loss.

dave64o · #9 06-19-2011, 12:37 AM

RIP, Big Man

T Bassman · #10 06-19-2011, 12:43 AM

RIP Mr C. This is all just so sad.

::::BASSIST:::: · #11 06-19-2011, 01:40 AM

Rest in Peace Mr. Clemons.

You will be missed.

**TRichardsbass** · #12 06-19-2011, 05:44 AM

Today is another sad day in Asbury Park. RIP Clarence. I am thinking today of all those days at Big Man's West, of running into you in Red Bank. I will think of you fondly as I listen to your friend Stormin' Norman play his piano for you.

Today is Father's Day. I choose today to honor the legacy of Clarence, Kevin Kavanaugh and fellow 4 stringer Johnny Luraschi, all founders of the Sound of Asbury Park, who have all left us way too soon, but have left me and the rest of us here a musical history and tradition that few can or will ever match.

Also, please keep another fellow bassist, Little Vinny Roslin, in your thoughts and prayers. Vinny was another of the Upstage crowd, and the first bass player in Child and Steel Mill, the first bands fronted by Bruce. Vinny is in a coma after heart surgery. I pray that we all will have a chance to hear Vinny and his Fender Mustang bass again soon.

JimK · #13 06-19-2011, 05:45 AM

RIP.
A "local"...you did great!

**davidjbass** · #14 06-19-2011, 07:08 AM

RIP Clarence. Your sax lines will always hold a place in my heart. I know you are in heaven with all the other great musicians that have passed before you. You will be missed.

edmidlifecrisis · #15 06-19-2011, 07:12 AM

Sad day indeed. Clarence lived locally (Singer Island) and was a fixture on the local charity scene. He hosted several big fund raisers here each year and played at others, for his pet charities including Home Safe, which helps abused children. Seemed like a really cool, nice guy. I even saw him shopping in the local Costco a couple of times! Hard to miss him in person!
RIP Clarence.

No Malarky · #16 06-19-2011, 07:15 AM

He seemed nice in interviews. He was an original.

**WoodyG3** · #17 06-19-2011, 07:30 AM

I agree that Springsteen's best stuff was with the E street band, and I'll never forget those sax lines. Clarence, we will miss you!

gjbassist · #18 06-19-2011, 07:40 AM

Very bummed. I was really hoping he was going to pull through after the stroke! R.I.P. Clarence.

kobass · #19 06-19-2011, 08:01 AM

RIP, Mr. C.

fishtx · #20 06-19-2011, 08:41 AM

Clarence was an amazing performer. musician, and human being. He played on a couple of our records, and hung out with us from time to time when he wasn't busy. He was great friends with our lead singer and guitar player.

Here is a photo taken a couple of years ago when he came into town (Dallas) to relax and hang out. We had a private party where we played and jammed (Tony Dorsett also attended)...wow, what a monster player...and just an all around great guy!