I awoke this morning to learn that Clarence Clemons, the “Big Man” succumbed to the aftermath of his stroke. Truly sad to learn of his passing. He joins Danny Frederici in Rock and Roll Heaven.

My wife and I saw Clarence Clemons play with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band three times in concert. The first time was the most stupendous. Bruce and the band had resumed touring after their hiatus in 1978 with the Darkness on the Edge of Town tour. We caught their 4 hour concert at Veterans Memorial Coliseum in New Haven. It was our first Springsteen concert. Bruce and the band were way up due to the litigation settlement over his artist rights. They rocked the house.

Clarence was wearing a gold lame suit and when he stepped out to solo on Jungleland he filled the Coliseum with a sound that stopped you in your tracks. He literally loomed larger than life on that stage. That is my most favorite memory of Clarence Clemons.

I end this post with the words of Bruce Springsteen who speaks for our hearts about Clarence Clemons. Miss ya Clarence, may the angels hold you close to them in rock and roll heaven.

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.