The Big Man Is Gone archived

Posted By: dobler88when I was a little girl, I wanted to be clarence clemons for for halloween. My dad found a little jacket, hat, and a toy saxophone and I, a little mexican/irish/mutt 6 year old girl, was clarence clemons for halloween. He was bruce.

My first memories of music are the E street band. This is heartbreaking to me.

Okay, you beat me. What a great thing to remember. Us older folks share your pain.

you were at that concert?
I love that pic. I think you still have me beat. I just have a very cool dad who still turns me on to the good music, usually before it gets popular.

When you "drop the needle" on the first song, on the first side, of the first record released by Bruce Springsteen, you hear that saxophone riffing along, and that is just the first indication that without Clarence Clemons, the "Boss" of whom those who are fans are fans, would not have turned out the same.

The song that came to mind to me today was "Mary's Place", which is an upbeat tune about a wake, about the person who is missing.


Amazing Post. I will never listen to that song, or any of their songs the same way again.
My heart is heavy. I feel as though I've lost a very close friend.
RIP Big Man. Join our buddy Danny Federici and JAM!

Posted By: dobler88you were at that concert?
I love that pic. I think you still have me beat. I just have a very cool dad who still turns me on to the good music, usually before it gets popular.

I'm not sure if I was at the one where that picture was taken. But, I did see them do the same scene in August, 1984, at the Meadowlands, where I was there, and I just remember the crowd going wild.

Although, I do know that I am in the crowd for a song on "Live 1975-1985", and one or two for the live in NYC album.

Sorry about not being able to highlight the quote above, Nohero. I'm just learning how to post.

Posted By: risayesSorry about not being able to highlight the quote above, Nohero. I'm just learning how to post.

No problem.

This is sort of a "so, I'm gettin' old" kind of day.

First time I saw the band live was when I was 18, in 1978. Unfortunately, it wasn't a club, it was Madison Square Garden. That was in the "old days", when they did two sets - as in, no opening band, just the E Street Band for two hours, then a break, and another two hours. I can still picture the finale, with Springsteen "collapsing" on the stage, and two guys come out with an ambulance gurney to take him away. They put him on the gurney, everyone in the place is shouting "NO!", and Clarence is pulling on his leg, off the gurney, as the crowd keeps going wild.

THAT was rock 'n roll.

Posted By: michaelgoldberg

There are plenty of partnerships - Lennon & McCartney, Plant & Page, Mick Jagger & Keith Richards....but is there any other "sidekick" other than Clarence who was instrumental to the live experience, but was not really a part of the songwriting?

Mike Campbell and Tom Petty. Campbell's guitar is integral to Petty's work ... I know Campbell shares some songwriting credits, but it's Tom Petty's band ...

How many of Bruce Springsteen songs that do not feature Clemons are considered classic? Not many.

Sad. :{

Not sure if this was posted yet.

You're a good man, Clarence.

Who knew a whole new generation of fans were recently introduced to Clarence?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QeWBS0JBNzQ

great quote from following article: 'Among his many, many lifelong accomplishments, let it also be said the Clemons just got a nation of die-hard Springsteen fans to sit down and watch a complete Lady Gaga video.

http://www.spinner.com/2011/06/19/clarence-clemons-lady-gaga-edge-of-glory-video/

Posted By: ZoinksHow many of Bruce Springsteen songs that do not feature Clemons are considered classic? Not many.

4th Of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)

Posted By: Soul 29

Posted By: ZoinksHow many of Bruce Springsteen songs that do not feature Clemons are considered classic? Not many.

4th Of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)

While the accordion is the real feature for "Fourth of July, Asbury Park", the baritone sax is unmistakable, and an essential part of the instrumentation, IMHO.

And of course the guy playing the accordion is gone too now. Which is the making of quite a band somewhere.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8oTFJhhWW8g&list=PL5DC8363F3F14C95B