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“Clarence was big, and he made me feel, and think, and love, and dream big. How big was the Big Man?  Too fucking big to die.  And that’s just the facts.  You can put it on his grave stone, you can tattoo it over your heart.” – Bruce Springsteen

Clarence Anicholas Clemons, Jr. (January 11, 1942 – June 18, 2011), also known as The Big Man, was an American musician and actor. From 1972 until his death, he was a prominent member of Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band, playing the tenor saxophone.

The River (2001), magnificent performance from Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band: Live In New York City 2001 with an hypnotic sax solo from Clarence Clemons:

He released several solo albums and in 1985, had a hit single with “You’re a Friend of Mine”, a duet with Jackson Browne. As a guest musician he also featured on Aretha Franklin’s classic “Freeway of Love” and on Twisted Sister’s “Be Chrool to Your Scuel” as well as performing in concert with The Grateful Dead and Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band. As an actor Clemons featured in several films, including New York, New York and Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure.

He also made cameo appearances in several TV series, including Diff’rent Strokes, Nash Bridges, The Simpsons and The Wire. Together with his television writer friend Don Reo he published his semi-fictional autobiography told in third person, Big Man: Real Life & Tall Tales, in 2009. Clemons suffered a stroke on June 12, 2011, and died of complications from it on June 18. (Wikipedia)

Clarence Clemons – You’re A Friend of Mine (w/ Jackson Browne):

He gave us great solos, fantastic audience interaction, his sparring with Springsteen and the other E Street Band members on stage was always a joy, he was always a pleasure to see and hear during the group’s marathon live sets. We are lucky to have experienced him in concert and records and film. He was indeed a great man!

 “He loved the saxophone, loved our fans, and gave everything he had every night he stepped on-stage.”
– Bruce Springsteen (at Clarence Clemons’s funeral)

We have chosen Born To Run as today’s album:

Other 11 Jan:

Robert Earl Keen, Junior (born January 11, 1956) is an American country and folk guitarist and singer-songwriter from the southern state of Texas. He is popular with fans of various musical genres including traditional country, alternative country, folk, Americana, and college radio. Keen currently resides in Kerrville, Texas, and maintains a ranch in Medina, Texas.

 

Slim Harpo (January 11, 1924 – January 31, 1970) was an American blues musician. He was known as a master of the blues harmonica; the name “Slim Harpo” was derived from “harp,” the popular nickname for the harmonica in blues circles.

Mary Jane Blige (born January 11, 1971) is an American singer-songwriter, record producer and occasional actress. She is a recipient of nine Grammy Awards and four American Music Awards, and has recorded eight multi-platinum albums. She is the only artist withGrammy Award wins in Pop, Rap, Gospel, and R&B.

– Hallgeir