Clemons (left) and Springsteen worked together for nearly 40 years
Clarence Clemons, the saxophone player in Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band, has died, aged 69, a spokeswoman for the band has said.
Clemons was taken to hospital about a week ago after suffering a stroke at his home in Singer Island, in the US state of Florida.
Known as the Big Man for his 6ft 5in frame, Clemons was credited with shaping the early sound of The Boss.
His solos powered Springsteen hits such as Born to Run and Jungleland.
'Immeasurable' lossSpringsteen spokeswoman Marilyn Laverty confirmed the death on Saturday.
On his website, Springsteen said the loss of Clemons was "immeasurable" and that he and his bandmates were honoured to have stood beside him for nearly 40 years.
The statement said: "Clarence lived a wonderful life. He carried within him a love of people that made them love him."
It added: "He loved the saxophone, loved our fans and gave everything he had every night he stepped on stage."
A former youth councillor, Clemons once described performing as his natural environment.
The stage, he said, "always feels like home - it's where I belong".
Clemons began playing saxophone at the age of nine after receiving one unexpectedly from his father for Christmas.
"I wanted an electric train for Christmas, but he got me a saxophone. I flipped out," he told the Associated Press news agency in a 1989 interview.
After his dreams of being a football player were dashed by a car accident, he turned to music.
An original member of the E Street Band, Clemons also performed with the Grateful Dead, the Jerry Garcia Band, and Ringo Starr and his All Starr Band.
Clemons also recorded with Aretha Franklin, Roy Orbison and Jackson Browne.
Chat about this story w/ TalkitaSource: http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/world-us-canada-13827267
Brak komentarzy:
Prześlij komentarz