Baby Boomers take their music very seriously, particularly the music from the bands with whom they grew up.
And when the death of a member of those bands occurs -- as it did this week with the death of E Street Band saxophonist Clarence Clemons -- they take it personally as another day that the music -- their music -- died.
Clarence Clemons represented more than just the guy -- the Big Man -- who played the alto sax next to Bruce Springsteen as part of the E Street Band.
He was Springsteen’s sidekick, sideman and -- most important -- an enduring friend.
Clemons crossed over as a black man into a white man’s band as a soulful performer at a time when race relations in this country were far more contentious on all levels, including the performing arts. He was a large part of what gave Springsteen’s music is unique signature.
Clemons died on Saturday at age 69 in Florida from complications from a stroke the week before.
Right now, the emotional holes left by his death are being filled by tributes.
NBC Nightly News anchor Brian Williams wrote:
“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.”
Jane Murphy, the national Bruce Springsteen Examiner for Examiner.com, wrote, in part:
“The one thing that would cure this kind of hurt in the past is Clarence's swelling sax, swooping down on the sadness and coating all the hard edges of life. Only such a deeply spiritual person could pour out so much healing, touching so many with his gifts. He was a well of spirit, bottomless, always inviting us to dip our fingertips in the coolness of the holy water dripping from his horn, bless ourselves, even drink it in.”
For more tributes, see BackStreets.com.
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