When asked the reason for his popularity, Mr. Clemons said: “Somebody said to me, ‘Whenever someone says your name, a smile comes to their face.’ That’s a great accolade. I strive to keep it that way.”
You did Big Man.
6.
Ash Can
@MizB: Seconded. How sad to lose him.
7.
RossInDetroit
I just read the obit in the NYT before seeing this.
Gone, but unforgettable.
Though I don’t listen to Springsteen I’ll defend Born to Run as one of the greatest rock songs of all. An amazing piece of art that stands the test of time.
10.
moonbat
He was lovely. I will miss him dearly.
11.
dp
What sad news. Best wishes to his family and friends.
@nethead jay, damned same song, same version. nice.
13.
Amir_Khalid
This was especially sad, coming at a time when the Big Man had just found an audience among a new generation. Right now, as I write this, I’m listening to his solo from the live version of If I Should Fall Behind.
Should we lose each other
In the shadow of the evening’s trees
I will wait for you;
And if I should fall behind
Wait for me
Or any of the other live versions you can find on YouTube
18.
Davis X. Machina
Everything he touched he turned to gold. He has maybe a fifteen second break — not even a solo — on Aretha Franklin’s Freeway of Love that upstages even her.
19.
Head Bulshytt Talker in Chief of the Temple of Libertarianism(superluminar)
Another overseas commented paying tribute here. Great guy, love his solos on The Boss’s works.
20.
Rudi
Hope then Big man smacks Ronnie RayGun when he he see’s him in the PastaBowl in the sky…
21.
Davis X. Machina
Springsteen and the E Street Band 1978 tour — Rosalita.
All by itself, this 9 minutes justifies the existence of YouTube, and the entire internets.
22.
Violet
So sad. No one else like him. RIP, Big Man.
23.
Don K
Sad news indeed. The best rock show I ever saw was Bruce and the E Streeters at a small theater in New Bruswick, NJ, in the fall of ’74 or spring of ’75 (memories of exact dates from that era can be a bit, um, hazy). Clarence’s performance was a lesson in how a sax could be an integral part of rock and roll, and his stage persona played off of Bruce perfectly.
Enough said. RIP Clarence.
24.
Emrventures
With the loss of the Big Man, bless his heart, it feels like we’ve lost the E Street Band as well. A Boss show will never be the same again.
Spent the morning listening to “The Promise” – which is something one would have thought could never exist: a very good double-CD of out-takes from a single album!
RIP
26.
Elizabelle
Big guy with a big heart.
We’re lucky there was a Clarence Clemons, and that we can still enjoy his music.
Only silver lining: am glad he went out near the top of his powers. Spared the months or years of decline and reduced dignity that can follow a massive stroke.
Gone too early, though.
27.
Rosalita
Heartbroken about this. Playing my Rosalita video now. So grateful I saw him and Danny play live with Bruce in 2006. E Street will never be the same.
As much as I love Little Steven, Max and the other E Streeters, it was Clemons massive sound that made them special. Without him they are just another good band with a great front man.
RIP, Big Man, you had one hell of a run.
29.
Pooh
@21 I’ve lost so many hours if my life youtubing Springsteen concert footage. There’s a 20 minute version of 10th Avenue Freezeout (in two parts) which is so epic. Also, “badlands” from Barcelona.
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a hip hop artist from Idaho (fka Bella Q)
It is indeed sad. The last year or so was a struggle for the big man. RIP.
MizB
Really shitty news to wake up to.
Fucen Pneumatic Fuck Wrench Tarmal
some of my favorite of his work. in his day he was one of the most powerful sax players ever.
jungleland
Nethead Jay
Can’t describe how I’m feeling… R.I.P. Big Man.
First song that came to mind is Jungleland, here’s a recent live recording from Hyde Park 2009: Jungleland Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band Live Hyde Park 2009. He had it till the end.
Cheryl from Maryland
When asked the reason for his popularity, Mr. Clemons said: “Somebody said to me, ‘Whenever someone says your name, a smile comes to their face.’ That’s a great accolade. I strive to keep it that way.”
You did Big Man.
Ash Can
@MizB: Seconded. How sad to lose him.
RossInDetroit
I just read the obit in the NYT before seeing this.
Gone, but unforgettable.
Nethead Jay
@Fucen Pneumatic Fuck Wrench Tarmal, #3: Heh, talk about synchronicity :)
RossInDetroit
Though I don’t listen to Springsteen I’ll defend Born to Run as one of the greatest rock songs of all. An amazing piece of art that stands the test of time.
moonbat
He was lovely. I will miss him dearly.
dp
What sad news. Best wishes to his family and friends.
Fucen Pneumatic Fuck Wrench Tarmal
@nethead jay, damned same song, same version. nice.
Amir_Khalid
This was especially sad, coming at a time when the Big Man had just found an audience among a new generation. Right now, as I write this, I’m listening to his solo from the live version of If I Should Fall Behind.
Should we lose each other
In the shadow of the evening’s trees
I will wait for you;
And if I should fall behind
Wait for me
PaulW
Playing Tenth Avenue Freezeout over and over… :(
PeakVT
The Big Man has left the band.
Nethead Jay
@Fucen Pneumatic Fuck Wrench Tarmal: Audio on yours was a bit better, so it’s all good :)
currants
Should I fall behind
Or any of the other live versions you can find on YouTube
Davis X. Machina
Everything he touched he turned to gold. He has maybe a fifteen second break — not even a solo — on Aretha Franklin’s Freeway of Love that upstages even her.
Head Bulshytt Talker in Chief of the Temple of Libertarianism(superluminar)
Another overseas commented paying tribute here. Great guy, love his solos on The Boss’s works.
Rudi
Hope then Big man smacks Ronnie RayGun when he he see’s him in the PastaBowl in the sky…
Davis X. Machina
Springsteen and the E Street Band 1978 tour — Rosalita.
All by itself, this 9 minutes justifies the existence of YouTube, and the entire internets.
Violet
So sad. No one else like him. RIP, Big Man.
Don K
Sad news indeed. The best rock show I ever saw was Bruce and the E Streeters at a small theater in New Bruswick, NJ, in the fall of ’74 or spring of ’75 (memories of exact dates from that era can be a bit, um, hazy). Clarence’s performance was a lesson in how a sax could be an integral part of rock and roll, and his stage persona played off of Bruce perfectly.
Enough said. RIP Clarence.
Emrventures
With the loss of the Big Man, bless his heart, it feels like we’ve lost the E Street Band as well. A Boss show will never be the same again.
Bruce S
Spent the morning listening to “The Promise” – which is something one would have thought could never exist: a very good double-CD of out-takes from a single album!
RIP
Elizabelle
Big guy with a big heart.
We’re lucky there was a Clarence Clemons, and that we can still enjoy his music.
Only silver lining: am glad he went out near the top of his powers. Spared the months or years of decline and reduced dignity that can follow a massive stroke.
Gone too early, though.
Rosalita
Heartbroken about this. Playing my Rosalita video now. So grateful I saw him and Danny play live with Bruce in 2006. E Street will never be the same.
The Ancient Randonneur
As much as I love Little Steven, Max and the other E Streeters, it was Clemons massive sound that made them special. Without him they are just another good band with a great front man.
RIP, Big Man, you had one hell of a run.
Pooh
@21 I’ve lost so many hours if my life youtubing Springsteen concert footage. There’s a 20 minute version of 10th Avenue Freezeout (in two parts) which is so epic. Also, “badlands” from Barcelona.