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Clarence Clemons (E Street Band) dies from stroke
#605742
06/18/11 09:07 PM
06/18/11 09:07 PM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 13,145 East Tennessee
ronnierocketAGO
OP
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OP

Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 13,145
East Tennessee
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Sad news tonight for Springsteen fans. So long Clarence, and yes your sax on "Born to Run" did indeed kick ass. Clarence Clemons — the Big Man with the big horn — died today of complications from a stroke he suffered last weekend, said a source close to Bruce Springsteen. He was 69 years old.
He was the spirit of the E Street Band, and the oaken staff that Bruce Springsteen leaned on. There have been many charismatic figures in the band, but none had the personal gravity of Clarence Clemons, the group’s Bunyanesque saxophonist.
Springsteen himself acknowledged this, always introducing Clemons last at concerts and adopting a reverential attitude uncommon among rock stars. It’s Clemons’ big shoulder that Springsteen was looking over lovingly on the famous cover of his "Born to Run" album. As his bandleader beamed at him, Clemons, black-hatted and bold, turned toward the camera and blew his sax.
On the tenor saxophone, Clemons developed a style that was considerably more than the sum of his influences: party-ready King Curtis, brassy Junior Walker, skronking Earl Bostic. Clemons could be tough, raspy and percussive, but as a carrier of melody, his shoulders were broad.
After playing with a number of Asbury Park outfits in the early ’70s, Clemons joined the as-yet-unnamed E Street Band in 1972. Along with bassist Garry Tallent, drummer Vini Lopez, organist Danny Federici, pianist Dave Sancious and Springsteen himself, Clemons was an original member of the group.
He was also the oldest, and it’s no exaggeration to suggest he was often treated as the in-house big brother. His saxophone became a pillar of the E Street sound, and helped anchor Springsteen’s storytelling in blues, jazz and gospel traditions.
"That night we first stood together," said Springsteen of Clemons during his Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction speech in 1999, "I looked over at C and it looked like his head reached into the clouds. And I felt like a mere mortal scurrying upon the earth, you know. But he always lifted me up. Way, way, way up. Together we told a story of the possibilities of friendship, a story older than the ones that I was writing and a story I could never have told without him at my side."
When Lady Gaga attempted to resurrect the glory of ’80s stadium rock on her recent album "Born This Way," she called in Clemons. http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/06/clarence_clemons_dies.html
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Re: Clarence Clemons (E Street Band) dies from stroke
[Re: ronnierocketAGO]
#605755
06/19/11 12:09 AM
06/19/11 12:09 AM
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Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 2,427 Bar Vitelli, Queens, NY
Signor Vitelli
Underboss
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Underboss
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 2,427
Bar Vitelli, Queens, NY
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Incredibly sad news. An irreplaceable loss to the music world. He was a big man with the big talent to match.
There's probably one helluva jam in Heaven tonight.
RIP
Signor V.
"For me, there's only my wife..."
"Sure I cook with wine - sometimes I even add it to the food!"
"When life itself seems lunatic, who knows where madness lies?"
"It was a grass harp... And we listened."
"Do any human beings ever realize life while they live it? Every, every minute?"
"No. Saints and poets, maybe... they do some."
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Re: Clarence Clemons (E Street Band) dies from stroke
[Re: ronnierocketAGO]
#605757
06/19/11 12:41 AM
06/19/11 12:41 AM
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Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 31,330 New Jersey, USA
J Geoff
The Don
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The Don

Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 31,330
New Jersey, USA
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Even with the stroke it was unexpected to me; this is very sad news... 
I studied Italian for 2 semesters. Not once was a "C" pronounced as a "G", and never was a trailing "I" ignored! And I'm from Jersey!  lol Whaddaya want me to do? Whack a guy? Off a guy? Whack off a guy? --Peter Griffin My DVDs | Facebook | Godfather Filming Locations
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Re: Clarence Clemons (E Street Band) dies from stroke
[Re: ronnierocketAGO]
#605759
06/19/11 01:18 AM
06/19/11 01:18 AM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 13,145 East Tennessee
ronnierocketAGO
OP
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OP

Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 13,145
East Tennessee
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From Springsteen's website: 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.
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Re: Clarence Clemons (E Street Band) dies from stroke
[Re: ronnierocketAGO]
#605774
06/19/11 09:12 AM
06/19/11 09:12 AM
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Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 8,224 New Jersey
AppleOnYa
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Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 8,224
New Jersey
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Very sad news. While I was never a HUGE Springsteen fan on the level of my sister, I have always appreciated and enjoyed his music as well as the significance of the talent, presence, and friendship of Clarence Clemons.
During the holidays, I always enjoy Springsteen's playful little aside to Clemons during his 'live' rendition of 'Santa Claus is Comin' to Town'. That little 5-second moment emotes the relationship Clarence had developed with Bruce, the band, and the audience. I look forward to it more than the song itself.
Very touching and heartfelt statement on Springsteen's website. My heart goes out to Bruce Springsteen, the E-Street Band and all of Clemons' family, friends, and fans. A great loss to the entertainment world.
Apple
Last edited by AppleOnYa; 06/19/11 09:20 AM.
A wise and frugal government, which shall leave men free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned - this is the sum of good government.
- THOMAS JEFFERSON
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Re: Clarence Clemons (E Street Band) dies from stroke
[Re: ronnierocketAGO]
#605790
06/19/11 04:20 PM
06/19/11 04:20 PM
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 6,762 Anytown, USA
goombah
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 6,762
Anytown, USA
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I last saw Bruce perform in Cleveland in November 2009. When they were walking offstage, Bruce and Clarence were hugging. I remember at the time wondering if that would be the last time I would see them perform together. Not in my worst dreams did I think Clarence would be gone less than two years. Bruce and the E Street Band create this feeling of family and brotherhood among their fans. While I have never met any of them individually, I felt that I knew these people through the music. Clarence's death feels like the loss of one of my friends or family members. What a terrible loss for not only those who knew and loved Clarence, but the void his death is to rock music. While best known as a member of the E Street Band, Clarence also played live and in the studio with a variety of musicians, ranging from Jackson Browne, Ringo Starr, Michael Stanley, and as recently on Lady Gaga's 2011 record. Rock on, Big Man. From Backstreets.com: a great piece honoring the life and work of Clarence Clemens Tribute to the Big Man This is a great picture and summarizes the onstage relationship between Bruce & Clarence.
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Re: Clarence Clemons (E Street Band) dies from stroke
[Re: Don Andrew]
#605997
06/22/11 12:11 PM
06/22/11 12:11 PM
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 6,762 Anytown, USA
goombah
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 6,762
Anytown, USA
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So many great sax solos and sax over the years: Trapped, Darlington County, She's The One, Jungleland, Thunder Road, Sherry Darling, Waiting on a Sunny Day, Promised Land, Prove It All Night,... Don Andrew: are you the fan who posted a pic of yourself near the front row a few tours ago? Remembering Clarence Clemons, and the day he almost got a shot with the Cleveland Browns
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Re: Clarence Clemons (E Street Band) dies from stroke
[Re: ronnierocketAGO]
#606021
06/22/11 05:02 PM
06/22/11 05:02 PM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 13,145 East Tennessee
ronnierocketAGO
OP
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OP

Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 13,145
East Tennessee
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The Boss eulogizes Clemons at FuneralBruce Springsteen eloquently eulogized his friend of more than four decades and E Street Band saxophonist Clarence Clemons Tuesday at a private funeral at a small church in Palm Beach, Fla.
The roughly two-hour service for the 69-year-old Clemons, known as the Big Man and Springsteen's main foil onstage over their long careers, was at the Royal Poinciana Chapel on this manicured island of the rich and famous. Faint strains of music could be heard outside the small gray church.
Springsteen, among those delivering eulogies, spoke of his long kinship with Clemons, according to those leaving the church.
Singer Jackson Browne and members of the E Street Band, including guitarist Steven Van Zandt and Springsteen's wife, Patti Scialfa, also were on hand. Miami Heat General Manager Pat Riley was seen leaving the church, which is beside the historic estate of tycoon Henry Flagler and nearby the tony Breakers hotel.
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-quick-20110622,0,7791922.story
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Re: Clarence Clemons (E Street Band) dies from stroke
[Re: ronnierocketAGO]
#606258
06/25/11 09:04 PM
06/25/11 09:04 PM
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Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 709 Northern NJ
Daigo Mick Friend
Underboss
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Underboss
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 709
Northern NJ
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Never Forget The Biggest Man You Will Ever See
Last edited by Daigo Mick Friend; 06/25/11 09:05 PM.
"Francis can I have a momment"
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Re: Clarence Clemons (E Street Band) dies from stroke
[Re: Daigo Mick Friend]
#606685
06/30/11 10:49 PM
06/30/11 10:49 PM
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 25,984 California
The Italian Stallionette
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 25,984
California
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I don't know a lot about him, aside from his place in the Springsteen band, but I was shocked to hear of his passing. Very sad. RIP TIS
Last edited by The Italian Stallionette; 06/30/11 10:49 PM.
"Mankind must put an end to war before war puts an end to mankind. War will exist until that distant day when the conscientious objector enjoys the same reputation and prestige that the warrior does today." JFK
"War is over, if you want it" - John Lennon
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