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Re: Clarence Clemons 1942 - 2011 RIP
Bruce Springsteen Saxophonist Clarence Clemons suffers stroke
by Daniel Kreps / The Amp-Yahoo! News
Clarence Clemons, the longtime saxophonist for Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, suffered a stroke last night at his Florida home. The severity of the stroke hasn't been confirmed at press time, but 411.com, the site that broke the story, writes that Clemons is "seriously ill" and that members of the E Street Band have been told to visit him in Florida "as soon as possible." (Rolling Stone has also confirmed the news.) .
The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer has been a member of the E Street Band since the group's 1973 debut on Greetings From Asbury Park, N.J. Dubbed the "Big Man" by fans, the 69-year-old Clemons' sax highlighted Springsteen tracks like "Born to Run" and "Badlands." In addition to his work with Bruce, Clemons also appeared on songs by Aretha Franklin, Jackson Browne, and most recently Lady Gaga, who recruited Clemons to provide sax solos for her Born This Way tracks "The Edge of Glory" and "Hair." Clemons recently performed with Lady Gaga on the American Idol finale..
Following news of Clemons' stroke, Gaga tweeted, "Little monsters, my very close friend + musician on The Edge of Glory, Clarence Clemons is very sick. Can we all make some get well videos?" Clemons' nephew, saxophonist Jake Clemons, wrote on his Facebook page, "Please do not lose Hope!".
Clemons has dealt with multiple health issues in recent years. In 2008, he underwent double knee-replacement surgery, an operation that rendered him immobile for three months until Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band's Super Bowl halftime performance in 2009. Clemons was also supposed to perform the National Anthem at Game 2 of the NBA Finals in Miami but had to cancel because of a hand injury. .
Despite his physical setbacks, Clemons has vowed to continue touring with the Boss. "As long as my mouth, hands and brain still work I'll be out there doing it," he told Rolling Stone earlier this year. "I'm going to keep going 'til I'm not there anymore. This is what's keeping me alive and feeling young and inspired.".
UPDATE: Springsteen fansite Backstreets reports that Clemons has undergone two brain surgeries in a Florida hospital and is currently responsive and in stable condition. "If anyone can pull off the miracle, it's him. He's fought back from so much before," a close friend of Clemons told Backstreets. Clemons is still "in a fight for his life," however..
Here's some of the Big Man at his best:.
"Born to Run"
"Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)"
"Jungleland"
[youtube]-PTJHhUeAfc&feature=player_embedded[/youtube]
[Photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage.com]
Re: Clarence Clemons 1942 - 2011 RIP
http://www.undercover.fm/news/15082-cla … in-surgery
Clarence Clemons Stable After Brain Surgery
By Paul Cashmere
Bruce Springsteen sax player Clarence Clemons is reported as “responsive and in a stable condition” after undergoing brain surgery after suffering a stroke on the weekend in Florida.
Springsteen fan site backstreets.com reports “He’s responsive. His eyes are welling up when we’re talking to him. He was paralysed on his left side, but now he’s squeezing with his left hand”.
Clemons had a massive stoke and had two brain surgeries yesterday in a Florida hospital.
At 69-years of age, Clemons is the oldest member of the E Street Band. He is an original member with Springsteen. They formed the group in 1972.
In recent years Clarence had both spinal and knee surgeries.
The E Street Band were in hiatus this year but Springsteen has expressed a desire to have them back on the road in 2012.
- metallex78
- Rep: 194
Re: Clarence Clemons 1942 - 2011 RIP
That's so sad to hear, especially after he was showing signs of hope.
Thanks for the great music over the years Clarence, may you rest in peace.
Re: Clarence Clemons 1942 - 2011 RIP
He is the star of my favorite Springsteen song (Santa Claus is Coming to Town). Okay, so I'm not much of a Sprinsteen fan, but I knew who Clarence was and thought he brought as much as any sax player did to a band in my lifetime.
RIP. There's a heck of a jam band playing up in heaven with all the talent up there.
Re: Clarence Clemons 1942 - 2011 RIP
Absolutely terrible. I always loved Clarence was, and when I thought of sax players, he was the first who came to mind.
He will be missed. RIP. In some ways i'm glad he went. It's terrible to see stroke survivors who are shells of their former selves, rather than going out with some dignity.
Again... RIP
Re: Clarence Clemons 1942 - 2011 RIP
http://www.undercover.fm/news/15134-u2- … ce-clemons
U2, Eddie Vedder, Bruce Springsteen Pay Tribute To Clarence Clemons
By Paul Cashmere
Bono paid tribute to Clarence Clemons in concert on the weekend telling the audience at the U2 show in Anaheim on Saturday night calling his saxophone playing “a beautiful, symphonic sound”. Elsewhere in Hartford, Connecticut Eddie Vedder dedicated the song ‘Better Man’ to Clarence.
Clarence Clemons, sax player for Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, died on Saturday after suffering a stroke just 6 days earlier.
Even politicians spoke up for “The Big Man”, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie saying, “on a personal note when I heard about the Big Man’s passing on Saturday night, I was struck with an overwhelming feeling that the days of my youth were now finally over.”
Bruce Springsteen worked alongside Clarence Clemons for most of his life. “Clarence lived a wonderful life,” Bruce said in a statement. “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”.
