Saturday was a sad day for music fans. Clarence Clemons, the sax player in Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band, passed away from complications of a stroke.
I learned of his passing as I was waiting in a massive line to get into Angels Stadium in Anaheim for my third U2 concert of their 360 Tour Saturday night. Bono made me love him even more by paying tribute to "The Big Man" before the final song of the evening...
I first saw Bruce Springsteen in concert in 2005 -- minus the E Street Band -- on his acoustic Devils & Dust tour. The show was at the Pantages Theater in Hollywood, and was, in a word, AMAZING. But I felt like I hadn't had the full Springsteen experience because the E Street Band wasn't backing him up, and decided as I was leaving the theater that I had to see him play with the band the next time they toured.
That opportunity finally came on April 16, 2009. Unfortunately, it required going to the LA Sports Arena, the only arena in Southern California that is quite possibly a bigger dump than the Forum. But I told myself, suck it up and go... who knows how many more opportunities you'll get to see Bruce with the E Street Band. In retrospect, I'm so glad I went. It was a great show, and part of what made it so great was "The Big Man." The playful on-stage camaraderie between Springsteen and Clemons is what made watching and listening to that band so fun. And now, half of that duo is gone. And there is sadness on E Street, and for all those who loved visiting it musically.
RIP Big Man. The solo below, starting at 2:10, is how I'll always remember you...
