Clarence Clemons
Fast Facts:
Name: Clarence Clemons
Nickname: Big Man, C
Birthday: January 11, 1942
Birthplace: Norfolk, VA, USA
Instruments: Saxophone, Vocals
Joined E-Street Band: Summer 1971
Solo Projects: Has 5 solo records.
Biography:
Clarence Clemons was born on January 11th, 1949 in Norfolk (Virginia/ USA).
At the age of nine his father bought him a saxophone. Clarence asked him for a train but he bought that sax. In an interview
in 1986 Clarence said "I've never gotten over it".
When he was 18 years old he went off to Maryland State college as he'd been awarded a music and football scholarship.
Clarence majored in football at Maryland Eastern Shore University and even played semi-pro ball for a while.
At one point Clarence was involved in a car accident in which he injured his knee and he was forced to give up football.
Instead he turned to his second love - the saxophone.
In the 1960's he moved to New Jersey and joined an oldie-band. Then one day he met Bruce Springsteen in the "Student Prince"
in Asbury Park, NJ. During the yearly years Bruce would often tell stories on stage about how he and Clarence met.
Those stories always included Clarence walking up to the stage, asking Bruce if he could play and once on stage, blowing the door of its hinges
and down the street. Clarence as his own version of the meeting as well "A rainy windy night it was and when I opened
the door, the whole thing flew off its hinges and blew away down the street. The band was on stage but staring at me
framed in the doorway. And maybe that did make Bruce a little nervous because I just said, 'I want to play with your band.'
And, he said, 'Sure. You do anything you want.'"
No matter what really happened that night at the Student Prince, the rest is history as Clarence became a member
of The E-Street Band in the summer of 1971.
In 1987 Bruce released "Tunnel Of Love" which did not feature Clarence.
As a matter of fact, none of the E-Street Band members played a very large role in recording the "Tunnel Of Love" album.
When the tour started though, the entire band, including Clarence, was present.
In 1989 Bruce called up The E-Street Band to tell them that they were free to pursue other musical interest.
Clarence took the call the hardest of anyone and has been known to tell that it felt "like a divorce. That's how bad it hurt".
During the early 1990's Clarence opened up a few clubs in NJ and California and worked on some solo projects.
In 1995, Clarence and the rest of the band got back together in the studio with Bruce to record a few new tracks for the "Greatest Hits" album.
During the Reunion Tour in 1999 and The Rising Tour in 2002-2003, Clarence was back on stage.
The Austin (Texas) show on The Rising tour had to be postponed as Clarence suffered a detached retina, but after a few days of recovery
he was back on stage.
A few months ago, Clarence released a live album called "Clarence Clemons - Temple Of Soul - Live In Asbury Park".
One or two live performances by Clarence could be taking place in the future which would most likely be announced on his
website.
No other (with The E-Street Band) plans for the future are known although many people, including I,
hope that Bruce will come out with a new album very soon and take Clarence and the rest of the band out on tour again...
Offical Site: www.clarenceclemons.com
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