Clarence Anicholas Clemons, Jr. (January 11, 1942 – June 18, 2011), also known as The Big Man, was an American musician and actor. From 1972 until his death, he was a prominent member of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band, playing the saxophone. He released several solo albums and in 1985 had a hit single with "You're a Friend of Mine", a duet with Jackson Browne. As a guest musician he also featured on Aretha Franklin's classic "Freeway of Love" and on Twisted Sister's "Be Chrool to Your Scuel" as well as performing in concert with The Grateful Dead and Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band. As an actor Clemons featured in several films, including New York, New York and Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure. He also made cameo appearances in several TV series, including Diff'rent Strokes, Nash Bridges, The Simpsons and The Wire. Together with his television writer friend Don Reo he published his autobiography, Big Man: Real Life & Tall Tales, in 2009.
Clemons suffered a stroke on June 12, 2011. He underwent two surgeries after which he was in serious, but stable condition. However, Clemons died from complications caused by the stroke on June 18.
Bruce Springsteen said of Clarence Clemons: "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.” Clemons was not the first member of The E Street Band to die; in 2008 Danny Federici succumbed to melanoma.
In July 1972, Springsteen began recording his debut album Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J. and during breaks from recording, he jammed with Clemons and The Joyful Noyze on at least two occasions at The Shipbottom Lounge in Point Pleasant, New Jersey. When Springsteen then decided to use a tenor saxophone on the songs "Blinded By The Light" and "Spirit In The Night" it was Clemons he called. By October Springsteen was ready to tour and promote Greetings… and he put together a band featuring Clemons, Tallent, Danny Federici and Vini Lopez. Clemons played his last gig with Norman Seldin & The Joyful Noyze at the Club Plaza in Bayville, New Jersey on October 21, 1972. Four days later Clemons made his debut with the formative E Street Band at an unadvertised, impromptu performance at The Shipbottom Lounge.
Throughout the 1970s and 1980s Clemons featured prominently on Springsteen albums. On Born to Run he provided memorable saxophone solos on the title track, "Thunder Road" and "Jungleland" while Darkness on the Edge of Town featured another notable solo on "Badlands". The River saw Clemons feature on songs such as "The Ties That Bind", "Sherry Darling", "I Wanna Marry You" and "Independence Day" while Born in the U.S.A. saw solos on "Bobby Jean" and "I'm Goin' Down”.
At the end of shows, while recognizing members of the E Street Band, Springsteen referred to Clemons as "The Biggest Man You Ever Seen". He sometimes changed this depending on where the E Street Band performs — at their 2009 concert in Glasgow he introduced Clemons as "the biggest Scotsman you've ever seen”.
Todays tune "Spirit in the Night” is a song written and originally recorded by New Jersey based singer/songwriter Bruce Springsteen for his debut album Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J. (1973). It was also the second single released from the album.
Live 1973 in Los Angeles
Live 2009 in Bilbao
Another tracks that CC did contribute on.
Great White - Gone With The Wind with Clarence Clemons that plays the sax solo.
Twisted Sister - Be chrool to your scuel - 1985 with Alice Cooper and Clarence Clemons that plays the sax solo
The list with other artists that he have worked with is enormous, here is a selected one.
Dan Hartman: Images (1976)
Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes: I Don’t Wanna Go Home (1976)
Ronnie Spector & The E Street Band:
"Say Goodbye To Hollywood" / "Baby, Please Don't Go" (1977)
Scarlet Rivera: Scarlet Rivera (1977)
Carlene Carter: Two Sides to Every Woman (1979)
Joan Armatrading: Me Myself I (1980)
Greg Lake: Greg Lake (1981)
Blue Steel: Nothing But Time (1981)
Little Steven & The Disciples Of Soul: Men Without Women (1982)
Ian Hunter: All of the Good Ones Are Taken (1983)
Aretha Franklin: Who's Zoomin' Who? (1985)
Twisted Sister: Come Out and Play (1985)
Soundtrack: Porky's Revenge (1985)
The Four Tops: Indestructible (1988)
Todd Rundgren: Nearly Human (1989)
Soundtrack: Home Alone 2 (soundtrack) (1992)
Joe Cocker: Unchain My Heart (1990)
Nils Lofgren: Silver Lining (1991)
Alvin Lee: Zoom (1992)
Roy Orbison: King of Hearts (1992)
Great White: Sail Away (1994)
Various artists: Humanary Stew – A Tribute to Alice Cooper (1999)
Lady Gaga: Born This Way (2011)
RIP Clarence Clemons
More info @ Official CC
Website
Listen to ”
Bruce Springsteen -
Spirit in the Night" on Spotify
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Listen to ”
Bruce Springsteen -
Spirit in the Night - Live at Hammersmith 1975" on Spotify
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