Report that Clarence Clemons suffered a stroke today:

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/ ... e-20110612



Hope he recovers fast!

Thread title updated, unfortunately. Rest in peace. -- Linda

What? Oh no, not the Big Man! Get well soon!

I'm speechless...wow...terrible.

Hoping for a speedy recovery.

I will put him in my prayers. This could be very serious. Let's just hope and pray for the best.

Doesn't sound good. Here's hoping the Big Man fully recovers.

http://www.nj.com/entertainment/music/i ... pdate.html

Clarence Clemons stroke update

Clarence Clemons, hospitalized in Florida after a stroke, has had two brain surgeries but is "responsive and in stable condition," according the authoritative Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band fan website, backstreets.com.

Also, Carolyn Gusoff of Fox 5 News has reported that Clemons is paralyzed on the left side of his body.

It was first reported last night on the showbiz411.com that the saxophonist had suffered a stroke at his Florida home and was seriously ill. That news has since been confirmed by several sources.

Showbiz411 added today that members of the E Street Band "were advised to get down to Florida as soon as possible."

Clemons is an original member of the E Street Band, and the oldest member of the band, at 69. He is someone whose importance to the New Jersey rock 'n' roll scene can't be overstated, and who is utterly irreplaceable.

His big, immediately recognizable saxophone wail is one of the cornerstones of the E Street sound. Songs such as "Born to Run," "Badlands" and "Jungleland" wouldn't have sounded remotely the same without him, and his larger-than-life personality always has given him a central role in the theatrics of the band's stage shows.

As a sign of respect, Bruce Springsteen, when introducing the band, always introduces him last. Springsteen also gave him a crucial role in the autobiographical song "Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out," singing, about the moment when the E Street Band started to become successful: "When the change was made uptown and the Big Man joined the band/From the coastline to the city all the little pretties raise their hands."

Although the E Street Band is currently on hiatus, Clemons has continued to perform on his own, occasionally, and has been in the news lately after performing on Lady Gaga's new album, "Born This Way."

He was also the subject of a documentary, "Who Do I Think I Am? A Portrait of a Journey," that premiered at the Garden State Film Festival in Asbury Park, in April. The film documented the traveling that Clemons had done in China after Springsteen's "Rising Tour" of 2002-03. "I was kind of looking for myself," Clemons told The Star-Ledger in March. "The tour with Bruce was just so long: It took me out of my body, it took me out of myself. And finding who I am was what this (trip) turned into."

He was still, at the time, undergoing "major, major rehab," he said, from the knee replacement and spinal surgeries he has undergone over the last few years, but was hopeful that the band would tour again in 2012.

In February, Clemons told Rolling Stone magazine that he wanted keep touring with Springsteen as long as possible. "As long as my mouth, hands and brain still work I'll be out there doing it," he said.

Lady Gaga tweeted this morning that “my very close friend + musician on The Edge of Glory, Clarence Clemons is very sick. Can we all make some get well videos?”

Drummer and music industry executive Narada Michael Walden, whom Clemons has called a close friend and spiritual adviser, replied to an e-mail query today about Clemons by responding, “Love and prayers to the Big Man! He is our Hero!”

Clemons’ nephew, saxophonist Jake Clemons, updated his Facebook status today to say: “Please do not lose Hope!”

Another update - this one from Rolling Stone. A bit more encouraging than the previous one.

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/ ... y-20110613

While we wait for an official statement about Clarence Clemons' condition following his stroke, good news has been trickling in. A "close friend" of the E Street Band saxophonist recently told the Springsteen fanzine Backstreets that things that his condition is improving. "Yesterday, it did not look good at all," the source said. "Today . . . miracles are happening. His vital signs are improving. He's responsive. His eyes are welling up when we're talking to him. He was paralyzed on his left side, but now he's squeezing with his left hand. This is the best news we've heard since [the stroke] happened — it's nothing short of miraculous. The next five days will still be critical. But he's a fighter."

That report is consistent with what Fox 5 New York has heard: "His vital signs are improving. He's responsive. He was paralyzed on his left side, but was squeezing with his left hand."

Rolling Stone has reached out to the Springsteen and Clemons camps for comment and will update when we have additional information.

From: http://www.nola.com/music/index.ssf/201 ... e_cle.html

Bruce Springsteen commented on his website Tuesday about the health of E Street Band saxophone player Clarence Clemons, who suffered a stroke in Florida on Sunday:

"By now, many of you have heard that our beloved comrade and sax player Clarence Clemons has suffered a serious stroke. While all initial signs are encouraging, Clarence will need much care and support to achieve his potential once again. He has his wonderfully supportive wife, Victoria, excellent doctors and health care professionals, and is surrounded by friends and family.

"I thank you all for your prayers and positive energy and concern. This is a time for us all to share in a hopeful spirit that can ultimately inspire Clarence to greater heights."

In addition, the note on brucespringsteen.net includes this about the 69-year-old Clemons: "Clarence's family appreciates your concern and wants to let you know that you can send him your wishes via e-mail to notestoclarence@clarenceclemons.com."

Clemons has been plagued by various health problems in recent years, and has had two knee replacements and spinal fusion surgery. He recently described the last E Street tour, which ended in 2009, and on which he was raised onto the stage on a hydraulic lift, as "pure hell."

The Big Man apparently died today.

OMG

Yep

R.I.P. Big Man. This sucks. 2 E Streeters the last 2 years.

Wow...too young! Damn!

I would assume that, for some time to come, and perhaps permanently, The E-street Band will omit saxophone out of respect, and the impossibility of fully replacing Clarence Clemons. The E-Street Band does have a new organist to replace Danny Federici, but the new organist is not a full-fledged member, and he is often mixed down to conceal the fact that the Bittan/Federici piano/organ interplay(built up over decades of playing together) cannot immediately(or perhaps ever) be re-created with the new organist.

Very sad news. Clemons work on the Born To Run album will stand the test of time.

This sucks so hard.

RIP, Big Man.

I am in tears. I don't believe it. I've seen him play many times and can't imagine the E Street Band without The Big Man.

For the solo on Jungleland alone.

Damn! So long, Big Man, we shall miss you.

Rumors have been out there that Bruce has a solo project in the wings, so it would appear that he can delay the decision as to what to do about the passing of the Big Man. I'm sure that this will be a hard decision to make, one way or the other.

Terrible news. Enjoy that beautiful river, Big Man. Thanks for all the joy.

saw this in our local sunday paper, which is truly a cat box liner, so it definitely shows the impact he had. RIP