Clarence Clemons Has Passed Away

Clarence Clemons, known as The Big Man to his fans, rode a saxophone note to heaven yesterday after he died of complications from a stroke he suffered a week ago. Clarence died at the age of my favorite age: 69.

Clarence was built like a hard bloated bull so he thought he wanted to become a professional football player and went to Maryland State College on both a football and music scholarship. But music quickly bear hugged his heart and Clarence decided that was his destiny. When he moved to Newark, N.J., he met his lifelong soulmate Bruce Springsteen, joined the E Street Band and the rest is history. Bruce left this message about Clarence on his website:

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.

And I’m sure Clarence’s soul has already been reincarnated as a red hanky that Bruce will forever wear over his right butt cheek (now is not the time for the hanky code).

Rest in peace, Clarence. Don’t worry, your co-starring role in Lazy Caca’s “Sesame Street After Dark” video does not count as your final appearance. And yes, we’ll make sure that you’re buried in the nipple hugging ensemble that you’re wearing in the picture above.

via ABC News