(NNPA)—Clarence “Big Man” Clemons, famed saxophonist of singer Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band, died June 18, a week after suffering a stroke at his home in Florida. He was 69.
“His loss is immeasurable and we are honored and thankful to have known him and had the opportunity to stand beside him for nearly 40 years,” Springsteen said in a statement posted on the band’s Website. “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.”
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| “BIG MAN”—In this July 2, 2009 file photo, Bruce Springsteen, right, and the saxophonist Clarence Clemons, left, perform during his first Germany concert at his “working on a dream” European tour in the Olympic stadium in Munich, southern Germany. (AP Photo/Christof Stache, File)
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Members of the E Street Band were told June 12 to travel to Florida as soon as they could because the famous musician was “seriously ill.” Sources later told New York Fox affiliate WNYW that the illness left Clemons paralyzed and he had received two brain surgeries to ease swelling from a blood clot.
The following day, the TV station reported the musician was showing hopeful signs, his vitals improved and he became more responsive. Clemons also was reportedly able to squeeze with his left hand.
According to AOL Website Spinner, Clemons had suffered from several health issues in the past. Most recently, he was afflicted by a spinal ailment and a condition that forced him to receive double knee surgery, restricting him to a wheelchair for the past several years.
The musician first linked with Springsteen in the 1970s when he appeared on his debut album, “Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J.” In addition to his work with Springsteen, he collaborated with a string of other artists including Aretha Franklin and Lady Gaga.
(Reprinted from the Afro American.)
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