In Memoriam: Clarence Anicholas Clemons, 1942-2011

[thatcrazycajun]

With thanks to filkertom for passing along the sad, sad news and the links: Fans of saxophony and of several genres of music have lost an icon tonight. Legendary sideman Clarence "The Big Man" Clemons, longtime mainstay of the even more legendary Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band and a gifted performer and bandleader in his own right, has died at age 69 in a Palm Beach, FL hospital of complications following a stroke. The New York Times reports his obituary here, and Wikipedia tells you more about him here.

Whether backing The Boss on one of his many, many hits or spellbinding a crowd as a headliner himself, acting in films or showing amateur saxman Bill Clinton how it's done by a pro, you could always tell Clarence was doing what he loved, and loved what he did. Whatever anxiety his hulking 6'4", 250-lb. frame looming over you might have caused was disarmed in a heartbeat by his jovial mien and his joyful, peerless musicality.

My favorite memory of him is, perhaps surprisingly to some, not his famous cameo in the Springsteen song and video "Dancing in the Dark," but rather his bantering, blistering horn work on another more seasonal E Street recording: "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town." See it performed here and understand why Clarence was so important a part of this band. He also showed up on top-charting hits with the likes of Jackson Browne, Aretha Franklin and even Lady Gaga just before his untimely end. And he gave back, too; he worked to help fund restoration of music education to schools and encourage youngsters to find their own musical talents.

Sincere sympathies to his four sons and other surviving family, his friends (especially Bruce and the boys) and his many fans worldwide. Heaven's angelic chorus just got a little bit jazzier tonight.

Comments

[redaxe.livejournal.com]

There's a statement from Mr. S. at his website. The key takeaway is this: "...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..."

My music for the night has been restricted to Bruce and the boys. Currently playing: "Because the Night" from 1978-09-21. Terrific song. Terrific show. Much of a box of Kleenex.

[dandelion-diva.livejournal.com]

Oh, that sucks! I really thought he was going to be okay. Pooh.

[poltr1]

I just posted a link to a live version of "Jungleland" on my FB. That's my favorite Clemons sax line, followed by the one from "Born To Run".

[sodyera.livejournal.com]

The sax solo from "Jungle Land" was my first encounter with his, or Springsteen's music. He deserves a photo in Lisa Simpson's bedroom alongside "Bleeding Gums".