Clarence Clemons of the E Street Band Dead at 69

[Deleted]

E Street Band Saxophonist Clarence Clemons has Suffered a Stroke

Rolling Stone can confirm reports that Clarence Clemons has had a stroke. The news broke this evening at 411.com, which reported that Clemons is "seriously ill after a stroke at his home in Florida." We have no information on the severity of the stroke, but we have independently confirmed that the E Street Band saxophonist has suffered a stroke.

Clemons has gone through a series of medical ailments - mostly involving his back and knees - over the past decade. He hasn't missed any concerts, but the conditions caused him to suffer a tremendous amount of pain and discomfort. "That last tour was hell," Clemons told Rolling Stone in February. "Pure hell." In the past year Clemons had both knees replaced and spinal fusion surgery. "The timing was perfect because it didn't interfere with a lot of stuff that was going on in my life," he says. "It made me stronger, and for the past year I've been in physical therapy a few days a week working my ass off to get back in shape. I'm walking better now, though I still use a cane and crutches. But now I'm having hip problems again. I don't know why."

Clemons last performed with Springsteen and the E Street Band in December of 2010 at Asbury Park's Carousel House for a special web broadcast taping. He performs on two songs on Lady Gaga's new album Born This Way, and just last month played "Edge of Glory" with her at the season finale of American Idol. He was supposed to play the national anthem before Game 2 of the NBA Finals last week, but a hand injury forced him to cancel at the last minute. He watched the game in the stands with Tim Hardaway and Alonzo Mourning.

When Rolling Stone spoke to Clemons in February he said that virtually nothing would take him off the road with Springsteen and The E Street Band. "As long as my mouth, hands and brain still work I'll be out there doing it," he said. "I'm going to keep going 'til I'm not there anymore. This is what's keeping me alive and feeling young and inspired. My spiritual teacher Sri Chinmoy told me that my purpose in life is to bring joy and light to the world, and I don't know any better way to do then what I'm doing now."

We'll have more information on Clemons' medical condition as the story develops.

www.rollingstone.com/music/news/clarence-clemons-has-suffered-a-stroke-20110612

[HolidayGuy]

Hope he gets well. He is now 69.

Aside from his work with the Boss, one of my favorites from him is the cheesy- yet deliciously fun- "You're a Friend of Mine," with Jackson Browne. The WWF (now WWE) used it for a Mega-Powers montage back in early 1989. :)

[Black Jesus]

Hoping he gets better! GaGa tweeted earlier:

@ladygaga: 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?

[johnm1120]

Word has come down that Clarence Clemons has died. :(

[Kurt]

www.rollingstone.com/music/news/e-street-bands-clarence-clemons-dies-at-69-20110618

"Clarence Clemons, the legendary saxophonist in the E Street Band who played alongside Bruce Springsteen for the past 40 years, died on June 18th. Clemons had suffered a massive stroke on June 12th. While initial signs had been hopeful after his hospitalization and two subsequent brain surgeries, he reportedly took a turn for the worse later in the week. He was 69."

[Verisimilitude]

Very tragic news. This makes the "Edge Of Glory" song and video even more poignant than before, and his legacy will be present on the music charts every week this summer with his lovely sax solo during the middle of the song. :'(

And of course, his epic accomplished career with Bruce Springsteen & The E-Street Band will never be forgotten either. R.I.P.

[Deleted]

So crazy that his last appearance on a hit record is a song about one's last moments before they die.

[Black Jesus]

So sad to hear. What a legendary sax player. Thoughts and prayers are with his family, Bruce, and GaGa :/

[David]

Jun 18, 2011 19:54:49 GMT -5 @jazzysoul47 said:

So crazy that his last appearance on a hit record is a song about one's last moments before they die.

I know. Crazy.

[jazzyskye10²]

So sad. Condolences go out to his family, friends and fans.


May he rest in peace. :(

[God]

That's awful news. :( I remember seeing him in concert back in '09, he was a truly phenomenal saxophone player. He will be missed.

[Acid Eyes]

RIP :(

Was his appearance on Idol one of his last public appearances? I remember something didn't sound right during his performance. And then the stroke came a few days later. I get the sense he wasn't doing well for a while.

[Sir Benji]

This is very eerie. When i first read this thread i just had a feeling that he would die. Wow. This makes "Edge of Glory" seem so surreal.

[MikeCheck12]

Very sad news.

[lugus15]

RIP, so sad.

PS: TEOG might not be his last appearance, not IF Hair gets released as a single. His saxo playing there fits better than in TEOG IMO.

Two of the best songs in her album were a good part enhanced by this LEGEND.

[TheJakes]

:'( R.I.P THE BIG MAN

www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/06/clarence_clemons_dies.html

[Deleted]

Jun 18, 2011 19:54:49 GMT -5 @jazzysoul47 said:

So crazy that his last appearance on a hit record is a song about one's last moments before they die.

[Deleted]

Chart run of "You're A Friend Of Mine"

You re A Friend Of Mine, Clarence Clemons & Jackson Browne 
80 The Billboard Hot 100 1985-10-26
58 The Billboard Hot 100 1985-11-02
52 The Billboard Hot 100 1985-11-09
48 The Billboard Hot 100 1985-11-16
38 The Billboard Hot 100 1985-11-23
37 The Billboard Hot 100 1985-11-30
33 The Billboard Hot 100 1985-12-07
27 The Billboard Hot 100 1985-12-14
24 The Billboard Hot 100 1985-12-21
23 The Billboard Hot 100 1985-12-28
23 The Billboard Hot 100 1986-01-04
22 The Billboard Hot 100 1986-01-11
18 The Billboard Hot 100 1986-01-18
24 The Billboard Hot 100 1986-01-25
34 The Billboard Hot 100 1986-02-01
39 The Billboard Hot 100 1986-02-08
50 The Billboard Hot 100 1986-02-15
62 The Billboard Hot 100 1986-02-22
85 The Billboard Hot 100 1986-03-01

[ListenToItTwice]

Jun 18, 2011 19:54:49 GMT -5 @jazzysoul47 said:

So crazy that his last appearance on a hit record is a song about one's last moments before they die.

I'd like to find more examples of this, but I believe it's eerily common for artists' "swan song"s to be about death

[Kishi KCM]

Jun 18, 2011 19:54:49 GMT -5 @jazzysoul47 said:

So crazy that his last appearance on a hit record is a song about one's last moments before they die.

I agree with you, R.I.P.

[CookyMonzta]

Here, we have the passing of a legendary musician who was a longtime backup member of a band led a supreme legend, and what are MTV and VH1 doing? Business as usual, fantasy TV, as usual. I don't think they stopped for 1 minute, let alone 5, to acknowledge Clarence's passing. You would think they'd put aside their scheduled playlist at MTV Hits to play videos that featured him. But like I said, it's business as usual there. What a disgrace they have become. >:(

[halo19]

Jun 18, 2011 20:14:12 GMT -5 Black Jesus said:

So sad to hear. What a legendary sax player. Thoughts and prayers are with his family, Bruce, and GaGa :/

I wasn't a real big fan of Bruce Springsteen (but did enjoy some stuff; more casual fan than anything), but sad stuff to hear indeed.

[Peaches. [Ch, r. is]]

Jun 18, 2011 22:36:50 GMT -5 CookyMonzta said:

Here, we have the passing of a legendary musician who was a longtime backup member of a band led a supreme legend, and what are MTV and VH1 doing? Business as usual, fantasy TV, as usual. I don't think they stopped for 1 minute, let alone 5, to acknowledge Clarence's passing. You would think they'd put aside their scheduled playlist at MTV Hits to play videos that featured him. But like I said, it's business as usual there. What a disgrace they have become. >:(

LOL. relax.

[CookyMonzta]

Jun 18, 2011 22:58:51 GMT -5 Peaches. [Ch, r. is] said:

Jun 18, 2011 22:36:50 GMT -5 CookyMonzta said:

Here, we have the passing of a legendary musician who was a longtime backup member of a band led a supreme legend, and what are MTV and VH1 doing? Business as usual, fantasy TV, as usual. I don't think they stopped for 1 minute, let alone 5, to acknowledge Clarence's passing. You would think they'd put aside their scheduled playlist at MTV Hits to play videos that featured him. But like I said, it's business as usual there. What a disgrace they have become. >:(

LOL. relax.

Let's see what they do tomorrow. But I wouldn't hold my breath.

[Hefty Hanna]

Horrible news. He has been a huge part in creating some of my favorite songs. May he RIP. :(

[JayBoozer]

Jun 18, 2011 21:44:24 GMT -5 ListenToItTwice said:

Jun 18, 2011 19:54:49 GMT -5 @jazzysoul47 said:

So crazy that his last appearance on a hit record is a song about one's last moments before they die.

I'd like to find more examples of this, but I believe it's eerily common for artists' "swan song"s to be about death

One of the saddest and most poignant examples:

[Deleted]

Bruce Springsteen's Statement on Clarence Clemons Passing: 'Loss is Immeasurable'
June 18, 2011

By Billboard Staff


Via Jon Landau:
It is with overwhelming sadness that we inform our friends and fans that at 7:00 tonight Saturday, June 18, our beloved friend and bandmate, Clarence Clemons passed away. The cause was complications from his stroke of last Sunday, June 12th.

Bruce Springsteen said of Clarence Clemons:
"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 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."

[Deleted]

Rest in peace.

[HolidayGuy]

RIP, Clarence.

[Caviar]

RIP Clarence.