Me too! Very sad. For those who may not have heard, Clarence "Big Man" Clemons, best known as the saxophonist in Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, passed away over the weekend due to complications from a stroke. Recently he performed on Lady Gaga's hit "The Edge of Glory." But that's not all! You might also remember him as a member of the "Future Council" in Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure.
In addition to his years of great music with the E Street Band, Clarence played sax on Aretha Franklin's "Freeway of Love" and scored a hit with "You're a Friend of Mine," a duet with Jackson Browne off of his solo album Hero. The video for "You're a Friend of Mine" is pure '80s bliss.
Yes, that's Daryl Hannah filming Clarence and Jackson with a giant VHS camera. (Kids, there was a time when you couldn't carry around a video camera in your phone.) Hannah, who was dating Browne at the time, sings back-up and paints the two guys for some reason. I love the pure, unironic joy in this video. It's just two bros dancing around their apartment and singing really, really close.
I'm a huge fan of songs with saxophone solos. "Baker Street" by Gerry Rafferty. Pink Floyd's "Us and Them." "Your Love Is King" by Sade. Sax solos get a bad rep in pop music, but I think they're making a comeback. And Clemons was one of the best sax men around.
It's sad when someone who was part of the pop culture of your youth passes away. (It took me a while to get over Michael Jackson's death.) But at least we'll always have the great music. (Check out Clarence's famous solo on the Springsteen song "Jungleland")
Yes, that's Daryl Hannah filming Clarence and Jackson with a giant VHS camera. (Kids, there was a time when you couldn't carry around a video camera in your phone.) Hannah, who was dating Browne at the time, sings back-up and paints the two guys for some reason. I love the pure, unironic joy in this video. It's just two bros dancing around their apartment and singing really, really close.
I'm a huge fan of songs with saxophone solos. "Baker Street" by Gerry Rafferty. Pink Floyd's "Us and Them." "Your Love Is King" by Sade. Sax solos get a bad rep in pop music, but I think they're making a comeback. And Clemons was one of the best sax men around.
It's sad when someone who was part of the pop culture of your youth passes away. (It took me a while to get over Michael Jackson's death.) But at least we'll always have the great music. (Check out Clarence's famous solo on the Springsteen song "Jungleland")
awesome tribute Nick, u rock! RIP Big Man!