Clarence Clemons of the E Street Band, dead at 69

Debra L Rothenberg/FilmMagic

The Chief has lost the great man.

Clarence clemons, whose fleshy saxophone had on Bruce springsteenE Street Band in the Studio and on the road for almost 40 years, died today, June 18, after suffering a stroke. He was 69.

"The saxophone is really an extension of me," said in an interview in 2008. "It is what I am saying without words."

Clemons recorded albums as a solo artist, appeared as an actor in the barbed wire lines of Diff'rent and was with the likes of the grateful dead, ringo Starr and roy orbison. More recently he accompanied Lady Gaga on his single most recent "edge of glory".

But it is his work with Springsteen made him to be even taller than their seis-pie - three-inch.

"When I met him, did not want to miss, and he didn't want to miss," Clemons told the Associated Press in 2009.

Clemons and Springsteen first jammed in 1971. Both were playing clubs in Asbury Park, N.J.: the man of saxophone at the wonder Bar; the rocker in the Student Prince. When Clemons went to see Springsteen's law, legend, a guest of wind blew open the door of the Student Prince. Not less than the destination, or mother nature, secured an introduction.

In 1973, Springsteen, backed up by the crew that would be known as the E Street Band, released their first album, Greetings From Asbury Park, N.J. Clemons was there from the first song, "blinded by the light."

Two years later, Born to Run was all legends. In the advance to memories of 2009 of Clemons, Springsteen argued that the album Sang even before he played.

"When you look at only the cover of Born to Run, you will see a picture delightful, a good album," wrote the iconic fold, "but to open it and see Clarence and I together, the album begins to work its magic".

Clemons was born in 1942 in Virginia, was reduced in recent years to the point of needing a wheelchair. He endured a back and double knee replacement surgery. But he did not stop playing, touring or permanent.

The E Street Band lost keyboard player Danny federici in 2008.

Photos: Celebrity deaths: 2011 of the fallen star

View the original article here