Bruce Springsteen called his E Street Band saxophonist Clarence Clemons the "Big Man." Clemons died this past weekend at age 69 from complications of a stroke. Their collaboration went back to 1971, several years before my college roommate from New Jersey introduced me to Springsteen's music. Even with all of what went into "Born To Run," it would be impossible to imagine this song without the sax. For all the energy Springsteen and his entourage put into a live performance, concerts will not be the same without the presence of the "Big Man." His accomplishments outside of the E Street Band were just as amazing with an A-list of artists. Jackson Browne gave him equal billing on one of his hits. Aretha Franklin's comeback on the eighties charts was punctuated and made that much sweeter by Clemons' sax on "Freeway Of Love." The most impressive part to this story is the 40-year association Springsteen and Clemons had. The Beatles were together for less than 12 years. Many other bands made it obvious they were just staying together for the money. These two absolutely loved working together at their craft for decades, and their audience knew it. As deferential as Springsteen was to his band, the "Big Man" stood out. That's no small task working next to a rock superstar.
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