Whither the E Street Band?

Tricky Kid · **Joined:** 23 Sep 2007 **Posts:** 8297

Mark Kravitz wrote:

RIP Clarence. I don't know how it can still be the E Street Band without Clarence. With all due respect to Danny, and he was just as important for the sound of Bruce, there is something about Clarence that just makes it different. His onstage presence was undeniable. He will be greatly missed by all fans of the E Street Nation.

One of our frequent discussion topics has been what constitutes the "real" version of various bands... what about the future of the E Street Band without Clarence Clemons?

Do future tours/albums retain the E Street name with a replacement saxophonist, or retain the name but move forward without that part of their sonic palette? Could Springsteen keep the same group of remaining players but decide to simply retire the E Street name instead? In the minds of fans, is it still the E Street Band without Clemons?

Charles · 19 Dec 2007

If he ever continues touring with the rest of the core band (Little Steven, Max etc.), I think they would have to get a replacement saxophone player. The sax is too much part of the fabric in alot of those songs, and I think it's respectful in the spirit of Clarance to continue going on.

I'm sure there would be a big mention/memorial/honor of him every concert.

I could see dropping the E-Street name, and maybe retiring Jungleland (not sure anyone else should ever play that sax solo)....but Clarence would probably want the rest of the band to keep on going.

Dr. Chris Evil · 26 Jul 2006

Ultimately, it's Springsteen's call. It's his band.

RoyalScam · 04 Oct 2006

I think out of respect for what Clemons brought to the band, the "E Street" moniker should be dropped. They could pull a Lynyrd Skynyrd and just play tapes of his solos on some tracks (like "Jungleland") and shine a spotlight on an empty spot on the stage...

Dr. Chris Evil · 26 Jul 2006

Good point, RS, but aside from live releases, all of Bruce's albums are credited to him alone.

It's not like Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers, where the Heartbreakers are credited on the group albums.

richman666 · 15 Nov 2006

Dr. Chris Evil wrote:

Good point, RS, but aside from live releases, all of Bruce's albums are credited to him alone. It's not like Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers, where the Heartbreakers are credited on the group albums.

I think that's why only Bruce was inducted into the (incredibly lame) Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame and not the band. Bruce would've been huge no matter who he played with, but he's legendary because of the E Street Band.

Charles · 19 Dec 2007

I always found it annoying that they refused induct the E-Street Band while on the other hand letting the Attractions in with Elvis Costello (they weren't on his 1st album).....but in light of this, Elvis did credit the Attractions on his album covers.

Still a lame move.....the full band should be in both cases.

richman666 · 15 Nov 2006

Charles wrote:

I always found it annoying that they refused induct the E-Street Band while on the other hand letting the Attractions in with Elvis Costello (they weren't on his 1st album).....but in light of this, Elvis did credit the Attractions on his album covers.

Still a lame move.....the full band should be in both cases.

If I started a list of things that annoy me about the R&R HoF, I would never stop typing. I seem to remember some bands getting inducted and dozens of members all had acceptance speeches. I'm thinking specifically of Parliament/Funkadelic, I believe. The procession of band members seemed never-ending. Yet Bruce gets inducted and, on a technicality, none of his incredible musicians got to share the spotlight.

Jimbo · 19 Jul 2006

richman666 wrote:

I'm thinking specifically of Parliament/Funkadelic

Not to mention that Parliament-Funkadelic were inducted as one entity, when they never recorded under that name, but as one or the other.

richman666 · 15 Nov 2006

Jimbo wrote:

richman666 wrote:

I'm thinking specifically of Parliament/Funkadelic

Not to mention that Parliament-Funkadelic were inducted as one entity, when they never recorded under that name, but as one or the other.

Great point, Jimbo. Another example of the ineptitude of that organization.

Has Bruce made any public comments since Clarence died? This has gotta be a tough time for him.

Brainiac McGee · **Joined:** 10 Jun 2011 **Posts:** 2941

I haven't considered them to be the "real" E Street Band since Suki Lahav and Vini "Mad Dog" Lopez left.

Charles · 19 Dec 2007

richman666 wrote:

Has Bruce made any public comments since Clarence died? This has gotta be a tough time for him.

Only what he said on his Web site so far (which I've seen re-quoted on newscasts).....

Quote:

http://www.brucespringsteen.net/news/index.html

Bruce Springsteen said of Clarence: Clarence lived a wonderful life. He carried within him a love of people that made them love him. He created a wondrous and extended family. He loved the saxophone, loved our fans and gave everything he had every night he stepped on stage. His loss is immeasurable and we are honored and thankful to have known him and had the opportunity to stand beside him for nearly forty years. He was my great friend, my partner, and with Clarence at my side, my band and I were able to tell a story far deeper than those simply contained in our music. His life, his memory, and his love will live on in that story and in our band.

Phil Cohen · **Joined:** 16 Nov 2006 **Posts:** 1274

While Clarence Clemons can't be personally replaced, who do you think would have the musicianship & showmanship to be an adequate saxophone player for Bruce Springsteen? If there is to be a new saxophone player, my choice would be Mark Rivera, who has played saxophone with Billy Joel. Rivera certainly has showmanship, and he can play keyboards too, as he did on stage for Foreigner in the mid-1980's.

Walter P · 20 Sep 2006

I'd bet that Bruce would be more likely to use someone he was personally familiar with than someone who was just talented. Perhaps he'd do something like rob Ed Manion from the Jukes.

Pip · **Joined:** 16 Aug 2004 **Posts:** 2921

They replaced Danny Federici, who had been in the E Street Band longer than anyone. He wasn't as much the face of the band as Clarence Clemons, of course, and he didn't even play on some of the first records, but Danny was the true believer since day one. If they can replace him, they can replace anyone.

richman666 · 15 Nov 2006

Pip wrote:

They replaced Danny Federici, who had been in the E Street Band longer than anyone. He wasn't as much the face of the band as Clarence Clemons, of course, and he didn't even play on some of the first records, but Danny was the true believer since day one. If they can replace him, they can replace anyone.

I agree that anyone can be replaced (Paul Rodgers And The E Street Band, anyone?), but the average fan would probably notice the absence of Clarence a lot more than Danny Federici. I hope the E Street Band continues in some form after they've had time to grieve.

(T)Eddy · **Joined:** 02 Jul 2009 **Posts:** 11767

i've heard that the reason why the E Street Band wasn't inducted into the Hall of Fame is that the earliest Bruce Springsteen albums are credited to "Bruce Springsteen." It wasn't until 1986 that you got an album credited to "Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band."

richman666 · 15 Nov 2006

(T)Eddy wrote:

i've heard that the reason why the E Street Band wasn't inducted into the Hall of Fame is that the earliest Bruce Springsteen albums are credited to "Bruce Springsteen." It wasn't until 1986 that you got an album credited to "Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band."

I believe that's what the good doctor (Chris Evil) pointed out above. It's one of those silly rules the HoF has (like needing to induct rap acts, one-hit R&B groups and Madonna instead of huge-selling, highly popular rock bands that Jan Wenner deems unworthy). Bruce should've just claimed that "Bruce Springsteen" was the band name, and he's just the singer/guitarist/songwriter who happens to have the same name.

Invisible Pedestrian · **Joined:** 24 Sep 2006 **Posts:** 26163

What about Jerry Vivino from Conan's Late Night Band? Clarence can be replaced-anyone can, but of course it won't be the same at all. Life does go on sadly...

Brainiac McGee · **Joined:** 10 Jun 2011 **Posts:** 2941

(T)Eddy wrote:

i've heard that the reason why the E Street Band wasn't inducted into the Hall of Fame is that the earliest Bruce Springsteen albums are credited to "Bruce Springsteen." It wasn't until 1986 that you got an album credited to "Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band."

I don't see Jann Wenner keeping the E Street Band out of the HOF for any reason other than this. He's been sucking up to Springsteen almost as long as Dave Marsh and Jon Landau.

(T)Eddy · **Joined:** 02 Jul 2009 **Posts:** 11767

What's ironic is that should the E Street Band get inducted, it probably won't be by themselves, but rather "Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band."

RobertSwanderson · 01 Jan 2007

(T)Eddy wrote:

What's ironic is that should the E Street Band get inducted, it probably won't be by themselves, but rather "Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band."

At this rate, it'll be a posthumous award. Or just a thank you speech from Max.

Whither the E Street Band?

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