When travelling Baja we always have a diverse playlist of music and there is always some E-Street band in the mix. In 1985 my sister was a travel
agent for the guy who invented the computer controlled light systems for rock bands and he hated rock and roll so we got lots of tickets to lots of
concerts. She called me one afternoon and asked if I was busy that night because she had six 3rd row seats at the LA Coliseum for Springsteen. I was
not much of a fan going in but I surely was when I staggered out (from exhaustion)three and half hours later. Clarence Clemons was the band member
that left the biggest impression. I think he may be the best rock and roll sax player ever?
I wonder is Springsteen and Tom Waits have ever mixed it up?Bob H - 6-19-2011 at 12:55 PM
How about the guy on the Yamaha Piano.... wow! 2nd clip
[Edited on 6-19-2011 by Bob H]woody with a view - 6-19-2011 at 04:03 PM
RIP, Big Man!
edit: someday we'll all look back on this and it will all seem funny.... BTW, where is/was that little cafe, down San Diego way?
[Edited on 6-19-2011 by woody with a view]DENNIS - 6-19-2011 at 05:35 PM
WOW....just saw it on the news. I didn't realize Matt was giving a eulogy.
RIP Mr. Clemons.elgatoloco - 6-19-2011 at 07:10 PM
Spent all day working in the garden listening to Clarence and Bruce, neighbors enjoyed it too. That solo in Jungleland is really good. E Street band was one of the top 10 best live shows I ever saw.
Roy Bittan is playing the piano and he has been with E Street band for 30+ years. He and Clarence make up a big part of Bruce's distinctive sound
IMHO. He has also played with many other fine musicians.
Springsteen covered one of Waits songs for years, Jersey Girl, and they once played it live together (August 24th ,1981 LA Sports Arena) but never
collaborated on anything.
Keeping it Baja this entry from Waits wikipedia "....then moved to National City, in San Diego County, near the Mexico–United States border. Waits,
who taught himself how to play the piano on a neighbor's instrument, often took trips to Mexico with his father, who taught Spanish; he would later
say that he found his love of music during these trips through a Mexican ballad that was "probably a Ranchera, you know, on the car radio with my
dad."
Me thinks that little cafe may be in ChulaJuana?
RIP Clarence.woody with a view - 6-19-2011 at 08:32 PM
thanks Gato. seems like just last week (or yesterday, almost!) i was grooving to that tune at some party in the "wooded area" in Pt Loma, circa 1982
or 83. i guess we're all getting older.....
thanks again for the memories......
[Edited on 6-20-2011 by woody with a view]wilderone - 6-20-2011 at 07:42 AM
A screamin' sax? Sam Butera was the best. He died in June 2009.
Originally posted by wilderone
A screamin' sax? Sam Butera was the best. He died in June 2009.
I don't understand the hype. I'd guess Clemons was a nice guy and a fan favorite but great sax player...no way.
Gato's comment, "I think he may be the best rock and roll sax player ever" isn't saying much.Bajahowodd - 6-20-2011 at 05:05 PM
If we really want to get into great sax players.....
No question that Clarence was not among the elite. But, at the same time, the simple fact that he was a featured peformer in a rock band, and made a
huge impression physically on stage, really cannot be overlooked.
I recently read a story purporting to tell hoe Clarence met Bruce. It was more about cajones and vision that it was about pure ability on the sax.
Actually, in the history of Rock and Roll, the sax was a key component back in the late 50s and early sixties, that went away in favor of the electric
guitar.
Personally, I had numerous occasions to stay in the Asbury Park area for work a number of years ago. Frankly, Asbury Park was really close to being a
cesspool. Sad and shopworn.
So, given the legend with the Stone Pony, hey! Legend is all we need to know.
