"I never thought Clarence Clemons would die. Never contemplated it for a moment. Like Bruce, he was a constant. I figured they'd always be around. I figured that sound would always be accessible." Brian Williams, Anchor, NBC Nightly News (and big Clarence Clemons fan).
This isn't directly Paramore-realted. But I'll guarantee you every current, past and future member of Paramore, and of every other band you follow, is pausing for a moment of silence for legendary saxophonist Clarence Clemons.
Clarence played with innumerable greats including on Gaga's latest album -- he's the old sax player on the stairs in The Edge of Glory (who you can tell that Lady Gaga absolutely idolizes).
Clarence was most famous as being the sax player of Bruce Springsteen's E-Street Band. You know that classic rock "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" recording you hear every holiday? Where Bruce Springsteen promised "Clarence, Santa's gonna get you that new saxophone"? That's Clarence Clemnons. He was a legend, and although an old-timer, influenced more of current music than you can imagine.
Some quick reading:
- A great NBC Nightly News tribute from Monday, June 20th, 2011
- NBC's Brian WIlliams' heartfelt blog post on The Big Man with pictures of local shrines.
- Updated Wikipedia page on Clarence Clemons.
- A good overview from NJ.com
- Longer story from the Associated Press and NPR.
- Tribute from Rolling Stone.
- LA Times Tribute
- MTV Tribute and Photo Gallery
After you've listened to The Edge of Glory again, and watch Lady Gaga's mention from Sunday in Toronto at the MuchMusic Awards, try this one: Jungleland, with Bruce Springsteen and the E-street band. You can really hear his legendary playing. You can : Jump right to the saxophone part about four minutes in, or watch the whole wonderful 10 minute song below:
Rest in Peace, Clarence Clemons. You were always beyond the edge of glory.
[Updates: Added Brian Williams' great video and blog, Gaga tribute, added more news and video links, updated title to include Bruce and Jungleland video.]
Rest in peace < / 3
RIP. Watching him on stage performing with Springsteen was always priceless.
Actually, if people want to suggest alternative titles that are short enough to fit, I'll be glad to update the title. It should be something respectful to Clarence and also meaningful to an alternative rock audience who may not be that familiar with Bruce Springsteen.
E.g. RIP Clarence Clemons of Springsteen, Gaga Fame
Well, the original title Saturday evening was 'RIP Clarence Clemons', but virtually nobody read the post (because most people here don't know who Clarence was by name). So, I changed the title to be more in keeping with what people would be familiar with.
For readers here, Gaga is more topical and more familiar than The Boss.
Yeah, I agree with Ruffles, he's Clarence Clemons, of the E-Street band. Sure, he did some work for GaGa, but you could at least call him by his name in the thread title, or at least name it by his most famous work...
Rest In Peace.
RIP. I didnt know much about him but the guy seemed like a living ledgend.
You should change it from "Lady Gaga Sax Player Dies" to Bruce Springsteen's.
But yeah, RIP. He was amazing.
Omg! Didn't realize that!! RIP!!!
RIP. < 3
I agree with Lydia, The Edge of Glory will now have even more meaning.
Everyone was rooting for him to pull through the stroke :(
RIP Clarence. No doubt The Edge Of Glory will now be dedicated to him as well as Gaga's grandfather. At least his music lives on.
Thanks, i was wondering who he was.