Clarence Clemons, the saxophonist in Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band, whose jovial onstage manner, soul-rooted style and brotherly relationship with Mr. Springsteen made him one of rock’s most beloved sidemen, died Saturday. He was 69.
The death, a week after Mr. Clemons had a stroke, was confirmed by a spokeswoman for Mr. Springsteen.
From the beginnings of the E Street Band in 1972, Mr. Clemons played a central part in Mr. Springsteen’s music, complementing the group’s electric guitar and driving rhythms in songs like “Born to Run” and “Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out” with muscular, melodic saxophone hooks that echoed doo-wop, soul and early rock ’n’ roll.
http://www.nytimes.com/...
I'm going to leave this diary short so that everyone who was ever touched by the sheer talent, the spirit and possibly the charitable nature of Mr. Clemons can weigh in.
He was a giant in the music industry, and he was a giant to many unfortunate families and children in Palm Beach County.
I had opportunity to work with him and his management team at several charity events he sponsored each year, The Classic, a combo golf tournament and gala dinner attended by numerous celebrities, always ending in a raucous jam session.
A very sad day indeed for the E Street nation.
Bruce has released his statement:
It is with overwhelming sadness that we inform our friends and fans that at 7:00 tonight, Saturday, June 18, our beloved friend and bandmate, Clarence Clemons passed away. The cause was complications from his stroke of last Sunday, June 12th.
Bruce Springsteen said of Clarence: 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.
http://www.brucespringsteen.net/...
Update 2:
I'm adding this link to Clarence's page at HomeSafe, the local Palm Beach County children's charity that CC did so much work for.. you can make a purchase to benefit the charity. (Both Clarence and Bruce maintain homes in PBC)
http://www.homesafeforkids.org/...