Clarence Clemons passes away

Clarence Clemons, the physically imposing (6' 5", 270 lbs) saxophone player with a smile and personality that could brighten the darkest corners of any club, arena, or stadium, has passed away due to complications from a stroke he suffered a week ago.

While a noted and in-demand musician in his own right, he is easily best known for his decades of work with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, where his soaring solos became the hallmark of Springsteen's sound.

Many people have something to say on Clemons' passing -

USA Today has an obit/story here.

Rolling Stone has a story here.

From Bruce Springsteen's website -

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: 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.

All I can say is -

Damn.


My deepest condolences go out to his family, friends, and many, many fans.