Raise your glass and cheers to Mel -
He always knew how to appreciate being in the presence of a beautiful woman. And around him, we were all beautiful.

Grandpa Mel
January 1 1928 – November 23 2010

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Known as “Big Man” by his fans and friends, Clarence Clemons, the saxophonist in Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band had a jovial onstage manner and a close brotherly relationship with Springsteen. He suffered from a massive stroke on June 12, and his conditions seemed to be improving after two surgeries, but he took a turn for the worse later in the week and passed away on Saturday, June 18 in Palm Beach Florida at age 69.

Clarence Clemons was born in Norfolk, VA on January 11, 1942. His father owned a fish market, and his grandfather was a preacher in the Southern Baptist church and Clemons grew up listening to gospel music. At the age of nine, he was given an alto sax for Christmas by his father, and sent to music lessons. Clarence was also a promising football player when he was young. He attended Maryland State College on music and football scholarships. The day before a tryout with the Cleveland Browns, he was in a car accident that ended his chances for a career in football.

So Clarence started playing wherever he could and found a steady gig in a Soul cover band. But he wasn’t happy with that; Clemons wanted to play sax for a rock band, and he eventually found his way to Springsteen

The E Street Band has toured and recorded with Bruce Springsteen since 1972, and Clemons has played the saxophone as part of the band since the beginning. Springsteen would introduce Clemons as “The biggest man you ever seen,” and regularly during the “E Street Shuffle” the Boss would tell the story of how the two musicians met.

Other Recordings

In addition to playing with the E Street Band, Clemons also worked with numerous artists and had several solo projects as well. While he more recently collaborated with Lady Gaga on her album Born This Way his most memorable collaborations are playing saxophone on Aretha Franklin’s Freeway of Love single from 1985, and his duet with Jackson Browne You’re a Friend of Mine. Clemons played on 21 albums with the E Street Band’s and collaborated with numerous artists during his long career, most recently Clemons was featured on Lady Gaga’s Born This Way album.

Acting

Clemons was in several movies and television shows as well as playing saxophone on the stage. He appeared in five movies, and in 12 television shows or made for TV movies. He has played a trumpet player, himself, a miner, a saxophonist, and other roles.

Life Behind the Scenes

Clemons was married five times, and has four sons. He was passionate about helping underfunded public schools raise money for musical instruments, and was awarded with the 2009 Little Kids Rock Big Man of the Year Award. He had lost much of the vision in one of his eyes due to retinal detachment.

Bruce Springsteen said in an interview following Clarence Clemons’ death; “He loved the saxophone, loved our fans and gave everything he had every night he stepped on stage. His loss is immeasurable and we are honored and thankful to have known him and had the opportunity to stand beside him for nearly forty years.”

Farewell, Clarence Clemmons, the music world will miss you very much.

This guest post is by Edwin Daniels who blogs at USdish. You can also follow him on Twitter: @Edandish.

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