Clarence Clemons
Clarence Anicholas Clemons Jr. (January 11, 1942 – June 18, 2011), also known as The Big Man, was an American saxophonist. From 1972 until his death in 2011, he was the saxophonist for Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band.
Clarence Clemons | |
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Clemons performing in November 2009 | |
| Born | January 11, 1942 Norfolk County, Virginia, U.S. |
| Died | June 18, 2011 (aged 69) West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S. |
| Other names | The Big Man |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 1961–2011 |
| Spouse |
Victoria Clemons
(m. 2008) |
| Children | 4, including Nick |
| Musical career | |
| Genres |
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| Instrument(s) |
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| Formerly of | E Street Band |
| Website | clarenceclemons |
Clemons released several solo albums. In 1985, he had a hit single with "You're a Friend of Mine", a duet with Jackson Browne. As a guest musician, he featured on Aretha Franklin's song "Freeway of Love". As an actor, Clemons appeared in several films, including New York, New York and Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure. He also made cameo appearances in several TV series, including Diff'rent Strokes, Nash Bridges, The Simpsons, My Wife and Kids and The Wire. Clemons published Big Man: Real Life & Tall Tales (2009) with his friend Don Reo. The book is a semi-fictional autobiography told in the third person.
Clemons died in 2011 at the age of 69. In 2014, he was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the E Street Band.