Farewell to "The Big Man"

I've never been what you would describe as a "die hard" Springsteen fan. Like many music fans, I was familiar with the hits: "Born to Run", "Hungry Heart", and so on.I'd seen Bruce live twice in my whole life - the first time, at the Nassau Mausoleum (not a spelling error) during his solo run in 1992 for "Lucky Town/Human Touch" - with no E Street Band backing him. It wouldn't be for another 10 years that I would see Bruce again - this time to support "The Rising" at the Meadowlands. The difference: he was joined by the full E Street Band - and to say it was night and day compared to that '92 show would be a gross understatement.

While the material from "The Rising" was both inspirational and sad (as Springsteen's response to the 9/11 attacks), the show itself was no less than spectacular, due solely to the musicianship and sheer entertainment of seeing Bruce Springsteen and the E Street band perform together - running through their entire catalog of hits and some non-hits - but all in all, making for a memorable concert experience.

Regretfully, it would be the last time I ever saw them play live together, and I wish I had paid better attention to be honest. How could I have known that it would be both the first and last time I'd see Clarence Clemons perform with Bruce? I always thought that Bruce and Clarence would be around forever, and I'll just catch them when they come around again the next time. Shame on me.

Many of you reading this may only know Clarence Clemons as that saxophone player on Lady Gaga's new song "Edge of Glory". While this is barely a fraction of a scintilla of Clarence's achievements, it's evidence that he was still considered one of the greatest sax players ever - to be able to remain musically relevant to a whole other generation of music fans is not an easy task. If that is how you best know him, I beg you to borrow your parents' copies of "Born to Run", "Darkness on the Edge of Town" and "The River" - and listen to how instrumental Clarence was to that eerily dark and haunting sound that accompanied Springsteen's poetic lyrics. Below are some examples of that genius, which sadly will never be repeated and will likely mean an end to the E Street Band. If you had a chance to ever witness them live, consider yourself extremely lucky. If you didn't, the music will always be there, but it just won't be the same.

"Jungleland" (Filmed at Capitol Theatre, Passaic, NJ. 19-9-1978)

"Thunder Road" (live from 1976)

"Tenth Avenue Freeze Out" (Filmed at Capitol Theatre, Passaic, NJ. 19-9-1978)

"Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" (Old Grey Whistle Test 1979)

There are few times in life when you realize that an event truly means the end of something - an era, a special time - and it will never be the same. Imagining Bruce without Clarence, is one of them.