Clarence Clemons, known as “The Big Man” to Springsteen fans, passed away a few days ago. I already miss my favorite sax man big-time. Here’s my humble tribute with memories, photos and video of a most soulful musician I greatly admired.
Thinking back to when I first saw Clarence Clemons, I’m surprised how long ago it was, and how well I can still recall his resonant tones and vibrant presence on that day several decades ago. It was at a free concert in a grassy field on a sunny day at UMass with a sparse crowd attending, and I had no idea who Clemons was or who that skinny lead singer was.
But I did know what a good sax-man sounded like, and this big guy I saw up on the stage, was indeed that.
This was before “Born To Run” was released so few knew who these guys were. After that album hit the airwaves, millions would savor the spine tingling joy of The Big Man’s sax blasts hitting their ear drums.
On that hazy New England day, I only got to hear a few songs from this unknown “String Sting Band” before I was dragged away by several cute dorm mates for the big mission of sneaking into an apple orchard to steal a bushel of fruit for apple pie night. (Such an outlaw I was–statute of limitations on fruit thievery, anyone, anyone?)
E Street Band Sax Player Clarence Clemons Dies – Associated Press
I don’t remember the name of the lovely lass who’s hand I was holding as I was being lead away, but I clearly remember letting go of that hand and turning around when that sax guy began a searing solo. I stopped in my tracks and would not budge until that solo and song were over. I had seen Coltrane and I now this big guy, and I had to rank him as the Coltrane rock equivalent on the spot. And I still feel that assessment is correct several decades later.
I gathered together a few things here for my fellow fans out there. An excellent appreciation article by Stephen Deusner. And some tribute videos: a classic, exaggerated, concert intro of Clarence from the Boss; an AP summary of his life and passing; a fan’s video collage with Bruce’s tale about how he first met Clarence; his latest recording, playing on the recent EDGE OF GLORY for Lady Gaga of all people; and of course, his incredible JUNGLELAND solo, from a concert a few years back.
JUNGLELAND | Live 2009 | Clarence Clemons solo at 4:10 mark
I confess, watching that clip now and listening to that incredible solo, with him gone, made my eyes leak. You’ll be sorely missed, Big Man. Thank you for all your soulful notes over all the years. And I imagine Coltrane welcoming you to his kick-ass band in the sky, where sax sparks will surely fly. Amen.
Bruce Springsteen Introduces Clarence Clemons
Lady Gaga THE EDGE OF GLORY featuring the Big Man
Clarence Clemons – Collection of Favorite Video Clips
A Fan’s Tribute To Clarence Clemons
At the legendary Bottom Line show, August 15, 1975, The E Street band played an extremely slowed-down version of “The E Street Shuffle” based on the theme of Manfred Mann’s “Pretty Flamingo”. In an eight-minute prologue, Bruce described how he met “The Big Man”, Clarence Clemons, after a particularly discouraging gig. If you haven’t heard it before, it’s one of Bruce’s best onstage stories, if you have, it’s still great to re-listen at this poignant moment.
Appreciation: Clarence Clemons by Stephen M. Deusner – “Pitchfork“
One of Clarence Clemons’ final sessions was for Lady Gaga’s recent single “The Edge of Glory”. His saxophone is nearly drowned out by heavy beats and insistent strings, but it still dominates the second half of the song as only a Clemons solo can. “The Edge of Glory” is such a self-conscious throwback to the motivational pop anthems of the 1980s (think any sports-movie training montage) that Gaga doesn’t need a particularly good solo here. She just needs Clemons’ name and all the associations that go along with it, and the collaboration epitomizes what he has come to mean to the 21st century: rock’n’roll saxophone, joyous solos, and gregarious sideman magnetism.
Clemons, who passed away after a stroke on June 18, is of course best known as a charter member of Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band; he appeared on Springsteen’s 1973 debut, Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J., and every E Street Band record since. And just as Springsteen was known as the Boss, Clemons was the Big Man. At 6’5″, he was a prominent figure onstage even among that famously sprawling band– when he played from a wheelchair on later tours, Clemons still dominated the stage. For most of their time together, the saxophonist was also the only African American in the E Street Band (keyboardist David Sancious played on the group’s first three albums, and Ernest “Boom” Carter was the drummer for a stretch in ’75), but Clemons played such a prominent role in the group that his presence hardly smacked of tokenism.
http://pitchfork.com/features/articles/7994-appreciation-clarence-clemons/