Clarence Clemons dead at age of 69
By Jonathan Tully June 18, 2011
Rolling Stone and several other news sources are reporting that Clarence Clemons, the longtime legendary sax player for Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band, has died at the age of 69.
Mr. Clemons, who made his residence on Singer Island, suffered a stroke on June 12. Initial reports said he was showing signs of improvement, but Rolling Stone reported that he had taken a turn for the worse late in the week.
Mr. Clemons was known as the Big Man in the E Street Band and his sax has been one of the most defining elements of the 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.”
Mr. Clemons joined Springsteen’s group in 1971 — Rolling Stone wrote that the initial meeting between Mr. Clemons and Springsteen took on mythical qualities, that the initial meeting between the singer-songwriter and the ex-football player who could play a great sax was on a powerfully rainy night in Asbury Park, N.J.
Whatever the circumstances, Mr. Clemons’ sax left an indelible stamp on Springsteen’s greatest hits. As Ben Sisario wrote in the New York Times, “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.”
Mr. Clemons’ work was known over several generations — not only did he perform with Lady Gaga, but is also featured on her new single, “The Edge of Glory”, and appears in the video.
Locally, Mr. Clemons was known for his work with many charities. He has been an advocate for Home Safe, which aids abused and neglected children, and as recently as March had put together two different events in which he raised more than $70,000.
AI
