TheMachClarence Clemons R.I.P - Farewell and thankyou, to "the biggest man you've ever seen"
June 20th 2011 16:19
With the musical world still reeling from the loss of one of it's own, I am indebted to take this break from the norm and cast aside the recent sporting happenings from the US and UK, to pay tribute to the greatest Saxaphonist the world has ever seen, after the recent passing of Clarence 'Big Man' Clemons.
Clemons was an integral part of the emergence, growth and continued dominance of the E Street Band across the globe for the past 40 years. The addition of a regular saxaphonist and percussion player to a rock 'n' roll band was a novelty in the early 1970's and quickly spearheaded the rise of something that had never been seen before, a six to eight piece tumultuous arrangement of musical elements within one band.
Clarence was the proverbial right hand man to 'The Boss', Bruce Springsteen. One of the greatest and most successful live performers of all time, owed a lot to the man he coined 'The Big Man' who was with him from the very beginning upon the formation of the E Street Band and compilation of their first album, Greetings from Asbury Park, NJ.
Arguably Clarence's best work is encased in arghuably the greatest rock and roll abum of all time. 1975's Born To Run, the third release by the E Street Band features legendary 'sax' work on the title track, as well as Tenth Avenue Freeze Out and most notably the rock opera that is 'Jungleland' in which Clarence occupies nearly three minutes of the track with a majestic solo.
In truth, his physical health was on the decline for some years. It became apparent on the band's world tour of the album 'Magic' in 2007. Clemons would require the aid of sticks, other members and even a motorised cart to get on and off the stage, as well as remaining on stage whilst all other members exited before the encore. Although, inspirationally it never stopped him from touring. His presence on the stage and as part of the chemistry of the band was irreplaceable, and he struggled through gruelling worldwide tour schedules almost relentlessly from mid 2007 right up to early 2010 as the band added the 'Working on a Dream Tour' just a few months after the 'Magic' Tour had culminated.
It was quite fitting that Springsteen made a decision to play whole albums, in order top to finish in his sets during the Working on a Dream Tour. 'Born To Run' was played in full more than any other, and most notably twice out of the five night stint that the E Street Band had to close the original 'Giants Stadium' in the Meadowlands between New York and New Jersey. This was a chance to showcase the talents of E Street's favourite son as he became the centre piece of the Born To Run setlist to rapturous receptions from the Springsteen faithfull all around the world.
His reach and his production have touched and inspired thousands upon thousands across this entire planet. The musical world was rocked, and a small part of it has been taken with Clarence that will never return.
They say you can't take it with you, but I think that they're wrong,
cos' I woke up this morning, and something BIG was gone. . .
But love is a power greater than death, like the stories that you told,
And when they built you brother. . . they broke the mould ♥
cos' I woke up this morning, and something BIG was gone. . .
But love is a power greater than death, like the stories that you told,
And when they built you brother. . . they broke the mould ♥
Today we bid a final farewell to the man, they myth and the legend. A friend, and a blood brother, you will be sadly missed.
Rest in peace Big Man
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