Perdita
20-06-2011, 06:18
Clarence Clemons has died at the age of 69.
The saxophonist and long-time member of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band passed away on Saturday after complications from a stroke.
Springsteen, who earlier this week sent out a message of hope for his friend's recovery, described the loss as "immeasurable".
The singer wrote on the band's website: "We are honoured and thankful to have known him and had the opportunity to stand beside him for nearly 40 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."
Clemons was born in 1942 in Virginia. He began playing the saxophone at the age of 9 and joined the E Street Band in 1972.
The larger-than-life instrumentalist was a heavy influence on Springsteen's work, and his fusion of rock, jazz, blues and funk can be heard on a wide selection of his music, including 'Born to Run' and 'Thunder Road'.
A prolific musician, he worked with a large number of other artists, including Aretha Franklin, The Grateful Dead, Jackson Browne and more recently Lady GaGa, with whom he performed 'The Edge of Glory' on American Idol.
Clemons occasionally worked as an actor, appearing in shows such as The Wire and The Simpsons, as well as in films including New York, New York and Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure.
Brilliant musician! RIP Clarence :(
The saxophonist and long-time member of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band passed away on Saturday after complications from a stroke.
Springsteen, who earlier this week sent out a message of hope for his friend's recovery, described the loss as "immeasurable".
The singer wrote on the band's website: "We are honoured and thankful to have known him and had the opportunity to stand beside him for nearly 40 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."
Clemons was born in 1942 in Virginia. He began playing the saxophone at the age of 9 and joined the E Street Band in 1972.
The larger-than-life instrumentalist was a heavy influence on Springsteen's work, and his fusion of rock, jazz, blues and funk can be heard on a wide selection of his music, including 'Born to Run' and 'Thunder Road'.
A prolific musician, he worked with a large number of other artists, including Aretha Franklin, The Grateful Dead, Jackson Browne and more recently Lady GaGa, with whom he performed 'The Edge of Glory' on American Idol.
Clemons occasionally worked as an actor, appearing in shows such as The Wire and The Simpsons, as well as in films including New York, New York and Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure.
Brilliant musician! RIP Clarence :(