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Subscribe to RSSI never thought Clarence Clemons would die. Never contemplated it for a moment. Like Bruce, he was a constant. I figured they'd always be around. I figured that sound would always be accessible. But on a sunny Father's Day afternoon, I found myself in the Stone Pony, walking through the bar, looking at the tributes with the other stunned and sad fans. Clarence was a part of life on the Jersey Shore. His bar in Red Bank, his condo in Sea Bright (where I'm afraid my buddies and I might have staked out the door a few times), and all those nights in Trade Winds, the Stone Pony, and a dozen other places where he would show up with his friend Bruce and oblige the crowd by blowing that horn of his. What a giant of a man. What an icon. What a loss. We die-hard E Streeters are all dealing with the same tough question: What are we supposed to do now? Of course, it's not about us at all. This is about loss and legacy and thanks. For the music and the memories and the soul...of the Jersey Shore.
Tributes to the Big Man line the stage at The Stone Pony
The flag flying half-mast at the Paramount Theatre in Asbury Park, New Jersey.
We hope you can join us for the broadcast tonight. We will remember Clarence Clemons.
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Thank you for the tribute to Clarence Clemons. I have always channel surfed during the news to hear a bit from all the networks, but you made a loyal viewer of me last night. It was obvious that you understand the connection that the E Street band has to their fans. They have been the soundtrack of my life since hearing "Greetings...." at the age of 17 in 1974, and their music has been a constant in my life for all those years... through good and bad. Thanks for recognizing his importance and his contribution to the lives of so many of us.
Thank you, Brian, for your blog and for the piece you did on Clarence. You said it well. RIP Big Man.
Dear Brian
Thank you for the heartfelt tribute for Clarence. I was searching all the news and entertainment channels regarding Clarence. Your report was the only one I found that truly captured how much we Loved Clarence. We love his music yet we love him more. His smile made you feel he was so happy you came to see the band playing. His music was his way of showing us love. Thanks Brian, you put to words what I was feeling.
Hi Brian,
I'm the person who introduced you at WNET's event as Brian Adams. People still tease me about it!
One thing we share in common is our love of Bruce and the E Street Band. When I heard about Clarence, I thought of you and want to say thank you for your lovely tribute to him. I too never imagined life without Bruce and Clarence. I'm lucky to have met Clarence once - that amazing warm smile made me feel so happy.
its hard to see the way forward right now, but it helps to share our grief. Michelle
Hi Brian,
I'm the person who introduced you at WNET's event as Brian Adams. People still tease me about it!
One thing we share in common is our love of Bruce and the E Street Band. When I heard about Clarence, I thought of you and want to say thank you for your lovely tribute to him. I too never imagined life without Bruce and Clarence. I'm lucky to have met Clarence once - that amazing warm smile made me feel so happy.
its hard to see the way forward right now, but it helps to share our grief. Michelle
I stayed up all night Saturday night talking to fellow denizens of the E Street Nation online, spent much of that night and parts of Sunday in tears. Monday I thought I was through crying... until your lovely tribute. The heart and soul of the greatest band in all the land. We'll miss him.
Thanks for your heart felt tribute to Clarence. You said what everyone has been feeling. When I first heard the news I played Jungleland.
I first saw Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band in 1975. I have seen them over 100 times in the past 36 years. I can't even imagine an E Street Band Show without The Big Man.
Thanks for the great piece Brian. Very heartfelt and touching.
RIP Big Man, you will be sorely missed by your music will live on forever.