I first saw Clarence Clemons when I first saw Bruce Springsteen and his whole E Street Band, on the second night of the Darkness on the Edge of Town tour, the night before the album was even released (we had only heard "Prove It All Night"), three years after Bruce had stopped playing post Born to Run in order to extricate himself legally from his former manager. Bruce and Clarence were out in front when the band took the stage in the 2,000-seat Palace Theater, Albany, NY, and they started with a song none of us had ever heard before, "Badlands." And like those very rare songs, you got it when they played it even if it was for the first time. Clarence was wailing like all their lives depended on it, perfect match for the wailing guitars, we were on our feet. And that was their comeback. The one that started it all.
When the change was made uptown
And the big man joined the band
From the coastline to the city
All the little pretties raise their hands
Im gonna sit back right easy and laugh
When scooter and the big man bust this city in half...
Within a two months they were playing big halls and stadiums, it would be so hard to ever get that close to them again. And with the Big Man gone at age 69, it's earthshaking for those of us who grew up with his sax breaks and solos on "Born to Run," "Jungleland," "Candy's Room" and, my favorite (supposed written by Springsteen explicitly for Clarence's solo), "She's the One."
Has there ever been a sideman known and loved as much? I can't imagine the E Street Band can ever be the same. I'm assuming they'll go ahead and tour as planned, who knows how many sax players they'll need to fill Clarence's shoes. And his own journey was profound, including his own band and triumphs, a number of wives and a spiritual awakening.
But rock & roll, per Clarence and Bruce themselves, is about healing, at least the way they've always practiced it. So I expect some healing in concert.
For now, remember and enjoy:
The crowd goes wild.
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