It's a couple of weeks since I've written, a mixture of work and a desire to see how things panned out; however I woke this morning to hear the news of the death of Clarence "Big Man" Clemons. Clarence was the saxophone player in Bruce Springsteen's E Street band, but he was so much more.
Clarence was Sundance to Springsteen's "Butch Cassidy". On stage especially in the early shows Clemence played with vigour and athleticism , the like of which I'd never seen. The 4 hour marathon shows with Clarence blowing throughout.
As I look at the poster of Bruce and Clarence that hangs in our living room, I begin to realise that E Street will never be the same. There's also the realisation that I'm reaching that time of life when those who inspired me especially as a young man, are beginning to come to the end of their lives.
Clarence has left a huge imprint , he produced such memorable music, today I can't get beyond his solo on Jungleland. I always felt privileged if we went to see Bruce and Jungleland was played. It is pressed deep into my memory, in the same way as the photo that adorns the Born to Run cover. Clarence very much gone, but never to be forgotten.
RIP Big Man
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