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| Source: Star Ledger file photo |
For the most part, this blog is dedicated to the world of sports. However, at my discretion, there are stories or events that I feel worthy of my attention that have nothing to do with sports. This post is one of those moments.
There are no words to describe the loss of Clarence "Big Man" Clemons, who succumbed last evening to complications related to the stroke he suffered earlier last week. He was a gentle giant who no doubt, was the lynch pin of The E Street Band. I have been following Springsteen since 1978 (just prior to the release of the Darkness on the Edge of Town album) and for 33 years he, Clarence and the rest of The E Street Band are (to me), simply the greatest Rock 'N Roll show on earth.
Clemons, it was said , put a smile on the face of any one who knew him. If you were fortunate enough to see him play with Bruce, then you know you were witness to a type of showmanship not often seen on stage. Whether it was Thunderoad, Jungleland, Born to Run or any of their other anthems, you could feel the chemistry between them. A chemistry that was so true, so genuine that it resonated throughout the crowd like a tidal wave. And I think that is what people will remember most about Clarence. That when he and Bruce were squaring off on stage and you were out there in the crowd singing along to whatever feelgood song they were playing........you knew you were in the presence of something special.
Clemon's career with the E Street Band is very well documented and way beyond the scope and intention of this post, but what some of the younger Springsteen fans may not know is that he also performed with many other artists when not touring with the band. In the mid 80's he had his own big hit with a song did with Jackson Browne.
Here is Clemons singing his hit song "Your A Friend of Mine"
There are no words to describe the loss of Clarence "Big Man" Clemons, who succumbed last evening to complications related to the stroke he suffered earlier last week. He was a gentle giant who no doubt, was the lynch pin of The E Street Band. I have been following Springsteen since 1978 (just prior to the release of the Darkness on the Edge of Town album) and for 33 years he, Clarence and the rest of The E Street Band are (to me), simply the greatest Rock 'N Roll show on earth.
Clemons, it was said , put a smile on the face of any one who knew him. If you were fortunate enough to see him play with Bruce, then you know you were witness to a type of showmanship not often seen on stage. Whether it was Thunderoad, Jungleland, Born to Run or any of their other anthems, you could feel the chemistry between them. A chemistry that was so true, so genuine that it resonated throughout the crowd like a tidal wave. And I think that is what people will remember most about Clarence. That when he and Bruce were squaring off on stage and you were out there in the crowd singing along to whatever feelgood song they were playing........you knew you were in the presence of something special.
Clemon's career with the E Street Band is very well documented and way beyond the scope and intention of this post, but what some of the younger Springsteen fans may not know is that he also performed with many other artists when not touring with the band. In the mid 80's he had his own big hit with a song did with Jackson Browne.
Here is Clemons singing his hit song "Your A Friend of Mine"
RIP Big Man.
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