Clarence Clemons, the larger-than-life saxophone player for the E Street Band who was one of the key influences in Bruce Springsteen's life and music through four decades, has died. He was 69.
AP Photo/Christof Stache, File
Bruce Springsteen and saxophonist Clarence Clemons perform during the first German concert of Springsteen's "Working On A Dream" European tour in the Olympic stadium in Munich, Germany, July 2, 2009. Clemons died June 18, 2011, from complications from a stroke suffered a week earlier at his home in Singer Island, Fla.
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Bruce Springsteen and Clarence Clemons perform on stage with the E-Street band July 16, 2009, in Carhaix-Plouguer, France.
In a statement, Springsteen said: 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 oppurtunity 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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Clarence Clemons prepares to play the National Anthem prior to the Miami Heat against the Orlando Magic at American Airlines Arena on Oct. 29, 2010, in Miami. The larger-than-life saxophone
player for the E Street Band was one of the key influences in Bruce Springsteen's life and music through four decades.
AP Photo/Rhona Wise
Saxophonist Clarence Clemons performs during halftime of the Tennessee Titans against the Miami Dolphins NFL football game in Miami, Nov. 14, 2010. Known as the Big Man for his imposing 6-foot-5-inch, 270-plus pound frame, Clemons and his ever-present saxophone spent much of his life with The Boss, and his booming saxophone solos became a signature sound for the E Street Band on many key songs, including "Jungleland," a triumphant solo he spent 16 hours perfecting, and "Born To Run."
AP Photo/Kathy Willens
Saxophonist Clarence Clemons performs the National Anthem before an NFL football game between the Miami Dolphins and the New York Jets in East Rutherford, N.J. on Dec. 12, 2010. In recent years, Clemons had been slowed by health woes. He
endured major spinal surgery in January 2010 and, at the 2009 Super Bowl, rose from a wheelchair to perform with Springsteen after double knee replacement surgery.
AP
In May 2011, Clarence Clemons performed with
Lady Gaga on the season finale of "American Idol," and performed
on two songs on her "Born This Way" album. Lady
Gaga's video with Clemons, "The Edge of Glory," debuted days before his death.
Win McNamee/Getty Images
Clarence Clemons and Bruce Springsteen of the E Street Band perform at the Bridgestone halftime show during Super Bowl XLIII between the Arizona Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Steelers on Feb. 1, 2009, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla.
AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews
Clarence Clemons, a saxophonist in Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band since 1972, reacts during an interview in New York on Oct. 30, 2009. Clemons said in a 2010 interview with The Associated Press that he was winning his battles - including severe, chronic pain and post-surgical depression. His sense of humor helped.
"Of all the surgeries I've had, there's not much left to
operate on. I am totally bionic," he said.
Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images
Clarence Clemons of The E Street Band watches the Miami Heat take on the Toronto Raptors at American Airlines Arena on April 3, 2007, in Miami.
AP Photo/Richard Drew
Clarence Clemons, left, and Bruce Springsteen, right, perform on the NBC "Today" television program in New York's Rockefeller Center, Sept. 28, 2007. Clemons officially joined the E Street Band in 1973 with the release of the debut album "Greetings from Asbury Park."
Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images
Musician Clarence Clemons, left, the members of Creation and Nile Rodgers, right, attend the Creation Benefit Concert supporting Building With Books on Dec. 6, 2005, in New York.
Mario Tama/Getty Images
E Street Band member Clarence Clemons performs at a Bruce Springsteen concert at Giants Stadium on July 21, 2003, in East Rutherford, N.J.
Anthony Correia/Getty Images
Singer Bruce Springsteen and the E -Street Band perform their last show for the 2002-03 World Tour at Shea Stadium Oct. 4, 2003, in Flushing, New York. An original member - and the oldest member - of the E Street Band, Clemons also performed with the Grateful Dead, the Jerry Garcia Band, and Ringo Starr's All Star Band. He recorded with a wide range of artists including Aretha Franklin, Roy Orbison and Jackson Browne. He also had his own band called the Temple of Soul.
AP Photo/Hillery Smith Garrison
Clarence Clemons poses for a photo during an interview at his Singer Island, Fla. home on Jan. 29, 2003. Born in Norfolk, Va., Clemons was the grandson of a Baptist minister and began playing the saxophone when he was 9.
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Clarence Clemons, Bruce Springsteen and members of the E Street Band acknowledge fans on the beach of Springsteen's hometown of Asbury Park, N.J. after performing at the Convention Hall July 30, 2002.
AP Photo/Susan Ragan
President Bill Clinton stands with saxophonist Clarence Clemons after Clemons played during the Clinton's arrival on stage during a fundraising dinner in San Francisco, Nov. 20, 1993.
AP
Bruce Springsteen, second from right, celebrates with his wife, Patti Scialfa, left, and members of his E Street Band, Clarence Clemons, second left, and Steve Van Zandt after Springsteen received his award at the 14th Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony in New York Monday, March, 15, 1999.
AP
Liza Minnelli performs with saxophonist Clarence Clemons during taping of television special in 1989. Clemons made several television and movie appearances over the years, including Martin Scorsese's 1977 musical, "New York,
New York, in which he played a trumpet player.
AP
Bruce Springsteen performs with Clarence Clemons in September 1985. In a 2009 interview, Clemons described his deep bond with Springsteen, saying: "It's the most passion that you have without sex."
