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'Big Man' Clarence Clemons Dead at 69

Saxophone player suffered a serious stroke last Sunday

By anothernewsjunkie,  Newser User

Posted Jun 18, 2011 8:21 PM CDT | Promoted on Newser Jun 18, 2011 9:39 PM CDT

(User Submitted) – Clarence Clemons, the saxophonist who found fame as a member of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band, has died. He was 69 years old. Clemons suffered a stroke last Sunday, and the New York Times reports that the cause of death was complications from that stroke. The paper calls Clemons "a central part" in the Boss' music, citing his contributions to songs like "Born to Run."

Clemons had also dabbled in acting, appearing in Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure and Fatal Instinct among other films, notes Us Weekly. The "Big Man" also worked with a number of artists beyond Springsteen, including Aretha Franklin ("Freeway of Love") and Lady Gaga ("Edge of Glory," "Hair"). Click for more.

Clarence Clemons performs the national anthem before an opening day baseball game between the Florida Marlins and the New York Mets in Miami, Friday, April 1, 2011. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Clarence Clemons performs the national anthem before an opening day baseball game between the Florida Marlins and the New York Mets in Miami, Friday, April 1, 2011. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)   (AP)
This Jan. 29, 2003 file picture shows Clarence Clemons during an interview at his Singer Island, Fla. home.
This Jan. 29, 2003 file picture shows Clarence Clemons during an interview at his Singer Island, Fla. home.   (AP Photo/Hillery Smith Garrison, File)
In this Saturday, Nov. 20, 1993 file picture, U.S. President Bill Clinton stands with saxophonist Clarence Clemons after Clemons played during the president’s arrival on stage during a fundraising dinner in San Francisco.
In this Saturday, Nov. 20, 1993 file picture, U.S. President Bill Clinton stands with saxophonist Clarence Clemons after Clemons played during the president’s arrival on stage during a fundraising dinner...   (AP Photo/Susan Ragan, File)
In this Friday Sept. 28, 2007 file picture, Clarence Clemons, left, and Bruce Springsteen, right, perform on the NBC Today television program in New York's Rockefeller Center.
In this Friday Sept. 28, 2007 file picture, Clarence Clemons, left, and Bruce Springsteen, right, perform on the NBC "Today" television program in New York's Rockefeller Center.   (AP Photo/Richard Drew, file)
Bruce Springsteen, right,  performs alongside Clarence Clemons on saxophone during a concert  in Madrid, Thursday July 17, 2008.
Bruce Springsteen, right, performs alongside Clarence Clemons on saxophone during a concert in Madrid, Thursday July 17, 2008.   (AP Photo/Paul White)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 8 comments
lauriec67
Jun 19, 2011 9:37 AM CDT
GONE TOO SOON! RIP IN PEACE SIR.. I too have tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat..my husband traveled w/the band for the Born in the USA tour..(built their stage)   I had the priviledge of seeing them perform in NJ and CA. I was new to the whole Springsteen thing, and I was blown away,by the music, by Bruce and by his Sax player, Clarence C. Their bond was visible even on stage...they were hands down the BEST SHOW I EVER SAW! This is an awful loss, for his family, and the many friends, like me, he didnt even know.  We'll never know this kind of man again....
coolsmoothla
Jun 19, 2011 4:22 AM CDT
(tears welled up in coolsmoothla eyes). He was one of the greats along side King Curtis. Loved his solo in "Dancing in the Dark" in which the lyrics shaped my attitude towards life. "Message keeps getting clearer, radio's on and I'm moving around the place I check myself in the mirror and I wanna change my clothes, my hair, my face Man I ain't getting nowhere sitting in a dump like this There is something happening somewhere; I just know there is http://www.lyricsfreak.com/b/bruce+springsteen/dancing+in+the+dark_20025010.html I am listening to song as I am typing. Clarence was the spark that started the fire.
MrSoul
Jun 18, 2011 11:35 PM CDT
RIP.

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