The Big Man, Bruce Springsteen’s famed saxman, CLARENCE CLEMONS dead at 69 one week after suffering a stroke.
A spokesperson for Springsteen said Clemons died at a hospital in Palm Beach, Florida.
Reportedly, Clemons underwent two brain surgeries but took a turn for the worse in the past 48 hours.
Clemons, a 40-year member of the E Street Band, first appeared on Bruce Springsteen‘s debut LP Greetings from Asbury Park in 1973.
He is seen pictured with “The Boss’ on the cover of the seminal album Born to Run two years later.
Towering over Bruce at 6 feet 4 inches, Clemons never missed an E Street Band gig, last performing with them December, 2010.
His last performance was with Lady Gaga on “American Idol” finale May 25th.
Clemons recalled his first meeting with Springsteen in Asbury Park, N.J., in the early 1970s.
“I was a black guy walking into a white club,” he recalled.
“I walked over to Bruce and said, ‘I want to sit in.’ ‘He said, sure whatever you want to do.’
“So I sat in and it was a magical moment. Right now, when I’m onstage with Bruce, I still feel that moment. It was so natural, it felt like I was supposed to be there.
“I looked at him, he looked at me, and we fell in love.”
A deeply saddened Springsteen mourned, “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.”
