Saturday, June 18, 2011

Clarence Clemons (1942-2011)

The music world is mourning the loss of saxophonist Clarence Clemons, long the anchor of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band, who passed away earlier today due to complications after suffering a stroke a week ago. Clemons was 69.

"The Big Man" even branched out and recorded with other artists, including Aretha Franklin and, most recently, Lady GaGa. Clemons also recorded 5 solo albums, the most successful of which was 1985's "Hero", which produced Clemons' only top 40 solo hit, "You're a Friend of Mine", a duet with Jackson Browne, which illustrated the relationship between Clemons and Springsteen.

Stevenarada uploaded the video for "You're a Friend of Mine", which also features Browne's then-girlfriend, actress Daryl Hannah, and producer Narada Michael Walden, the latter sitting in on drums, which he also did for Aretha Franklin on her hit that year, "Freeway of Love":



Now, you'd think that the passing of an artist such as Clemons, given his contributions to the music business, would've gotten the attention of MTV and its sister channels, or even Fuse, and had them break from their schedules. Nope, not happening. Talk about disrespect!

Rest in peace, Clarence, and rock on!

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