In Memory of The Big Man

He would have turned 71 years old today.

Born Clarence Anicholas Clemons, Jr. on January 11, 1942 in Norfolk County, Virginia, he'll be forever remembered in the hearts of all the fans of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band.

He died after suffering a stroke in June of 2011.

Alas, "all things must pass", as a certain other music legend once commented by naming his solo triple album after a very heartbreaking (but nonetheless true) reality.

So The Boss continues on without The Big Man as best he can, hiring Clarence's nephew, Jake Clemons, splitting time with Eddie Manion on the sax, to partly fill The Big Man's shoes.

After Clarence died, Bruce Springsteen said of Clarence Clemons:

"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."