When The Change Was Made Uptown And The Big Man Joined The Band

I just read online that Clarence “Big Man” Clemons passed away due to complications caused by the stroke he suffered earlier this week. Surely, there will be many things written by people who perhaps have more insight than I can offer but all I can offer is what I can offer. Having grown up in the heart of Springsteen Country in central New Jersey, my teenage years were filled with E Street Mania from the 10-night stand at the old Brendan Byrne Arena to the 6 nights at Giants Stadium. In the state of New Jersey, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band have an exalted status.

Springsteen fans are quite aware of the role that the Big Man has played in the folklore of the E Street Band. As the oft-told tale goes, a young unknown Bruce Springsteen was playing onstage in a local Jersey Shore club on a rainy night when Clemons walked in after tearing the club door off its hinges. He asked to sit in and as soon as they played together, they knew that something magical was taking place. Over the next few decades, Clarence was the onstage foil to Springsteen. He was always introduced last with respect, love, and in the spirit of true brotherhood.

The music business these days is so much about building up stars quickly and casting them aside as soon as they hit their expiration date. There's just no place today to witness the evolution and sustenance of the bonds that joined Clemons and Springsteen or, for that matter, the bonds that join Springsteen and the E Street legacy. When I look at the picture above, it seems like more than just a cool album cover. To me, this iconic image encapsulates the Springsteen story: the scrappy Jersey Shore guitar-slinger with romantic visions that were realized with the help of his trusted soulmates. Every time they walk onstage, Bruce and the E Street Band pay tribute to the vision they worked so hard to form. If you're not sure about the dedication of these guys, check out the documentaries about the making of “Born To Run” and “Darkness On The Edge Of Town” and you will see how much devotion these guys put into making Bruce's music come to life. One of the most notable stories is the sixteen hours that Clarence spent in perfecting his solo in “Jungleland”.

They don't make 'em like Clarence Clemons anymore. Fare thee well, Big Man.