Clarence Clemons: The Saxophone Boss

When the change was made uptown

And the Big Man joined the band…-“Tenth Avenue Freeze Out”, Born to Run

Courtesy of Manu_gt500Growing up, when my mother was still unwilling to accept that her children lacked any musical prowess at all and was still trying to raise 20^th century Renaissance men, my brothers and I were all forced to attempt to learn a musical instrument.  For my oldest brother it was the violin, for me it was the piano, and for my middle brother it was the saxophone.  And amongst all of these instruments, and the strident abuses our musical incapacities incited in them, it was unquestionably the Sax that was the worst.  The mere mentioning of my brother’s practicing of this woodwind family member caused a fear in me and my other brother that would quickly provide us an excuse to leave the house.

Later in life, with the bad sound and taste still in my mouth, I was essentially unable to admire any practicing or performing of the saxophone.  Even Lisa Simpson’s serenading on The Simpsons managed to irritate me.  However, one day while listening to the band that would eventually become my favorite musical artist, Bruce Sprinsteen’s E-Street Band, I was introduced to Clarence Clemons, the Saxophone King, known affectionately as the “Big Man”. 

It was “Jungleland”.  Obvious, to Bruce Springsteen fans at least, but still appropriate.  The saxophone up till this point had always meant pain for me, but not in the quintessential Blues’ tradition.  Rather, it was painful to listen to.  Honestly.  But to hear Clarence Clemons command the large piece of brass is a thing of sheer power and beauty.  The Big Man, appropriately nicknamed for his physical stature, was larger than life musically as well though.  A professional career that spanned over 40+ years, Clarence played solo, with other greats like Aretha Franklin, Jackson Browne, The Greatful Dead, but he was best known as the tenor saxophone artist of Bruce Springsteen’s E-Street Band.  And since Bruce and Clarence’s first faithful meeting many years ago, Clarence has been the only man large enough to steal the show and the crowds’ applause at all of the band’s performances. 

I’ve been fortunate enough to see Bruce and his band live four times, and it was always Clarence that stood out more than Little Stevie and even Bruce himself for me.  For “Jungleland” and “Tenth Avenue Freeze Out” and “Spirit in the Night”, a spotlight would usually shine on Clarence as he belted out the most amazing saxophone solos that no one else could perform.  Entire jazz bands, with four or five saxophonists, couldn’t match the same power, intensity, and artistic passion that the Big Man brought to every performance.  He was truly a musical giant. 

So while much of the music world mourns the loss of a true musical genius, I instead have decided to honor Mr. Clemons and his uncanny talent.  Not many people have ever been able to change my mind about certain things, especially music, but I am happy to say Clarence Clemons and his saxophone not only changed my feelings towards the instrument but enhanced my love of music so much more.  So one more time, “Play it, Big Man!”

"Tenth Avenue Freeze Out"- Live Capitol Theatre 1978

 "Jungleland"- Solo Live 2009

"Spirit in the Night"- Live Buffalo, NY 2009

Comments

[James Dugan]

Great post. Clarence was cool and a life spent doing what you love and doing in the pursuit of others' joy, well, the world will always miss a man like that.

I too have been taken back by his solos -- the arenas would explode in his sound and that musician was as important as Bruce's raspy voice in the experience.

I love the sax. It was part of my family -- My grandfather played it, my uncle and cousin also did for different stringbands. It would sit in their hands as they walked down Broad Street, like a small golden flame lighting up in the sun or street lights. The sax made the sound that will carry me back to those New Year's days and it really did make the man.

I never learned it, but if there was one instrument I would like to take with me to the next life, it would be the golden sax.

Play on, Clarence. And thanks for the lunch.