Bruce Springsteen recalls last meeting with E Street Band saxophonist Clarence Clemons
He played guitar to Clarence in the hospital
Last updated 1st Nov 2022
Bruce Springsteen has opened up about spending time with longtime E Street Band member Clarence Clemons before he sadly passed away in 2011. Clarence was a renowned actor and musician, as well as a founding member of the band.
Clarence was with the group from 1972 onwards and played on most of Bruce's albums. His nephew Jake is still a part of the band.
While on an American radio show, Bruce spoke about visiting his friend and bandmate in hospital after Clarence had suffered a stroke. On the day he died, Bruce had brought his guitar with him to play to Clarence. He explained: "I had a feeling he could hear me, because he could squeeze your hand.
"So I just brought the guitar in and I strummed a song called ‘Land of Hope and Dreams'. It’s about passing over to the other side. It’s about life and death."
Listen to 'The Land of Hopes and Dreams' by Bruce Springsteen:
While on the show, Bruce also revealed he doesn't have any plans to retire, saying: "I can’t imagine it. If I got to the point where I was incapacitated, or something. But up until then — look at Johnny Cash and Pete Seeger.
"I look at those guys, I don’t know if I’ll be playing three hour shows. The Broadway show, I could do the rest of my life in one form or another, if I wanted to. I can’t imagine retiring, no."
Despite being 73-years-old, Bruce is showing no sign of slowing down and with the E Street Band he will be heading on a world tour in 2023. They are playing several dates in the UK which you can see below.
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band tour dates
May
BT Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh - Tuesday 30th
June
Villa Park, Birmingham - Friday 16th
July
American Express Presents BST Hyde Park, London - Thursday 6th and Saturday 8th
Tickets to see Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band have now sold out.
The 'Born In The USA' singer is also bringing out a new album on 11th November. Called 'Only The Strong Survive', it is a soul album with covers of some legendary tracks. Ahead of the album coming out, he has already released the tracks 'Don't Play That Song' and 'Nightshift'.
Watch 'Don't Play That Song' by Bruce Springsteen:
Take a look through Bruce Springsteen's career:
1964: Inspiration and career beginnings
In 1964, legendary Liverpool band The Beatles appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show and played hits including 'I Saw Her Standing There' and 'I Want to Hold Your Hand' to a record-breaking audience of 73 million Americans.
One of those viewers was a young Bruce Springsteen who shortly after the performance went to buy first guitar. In the following years, he went on to play local venues as part of a number of bands including the Rogues, Castiles and Earth.
1969 - 1972: Label attention and forming the E Street Band
From 1969 to 1971, Bruce played with his band Steel Mill in venues across the Jersey Shore, Nashville, Richmond and California and he recorded three original tracks with the group.
During the next couple of years, Bruce performed with his bands Dr. Zoom & the Sonic Boom, the Sundance Blues Band and the Bruce Springsteen Band. This musical and lyrical evolution would gain the attention of his future record label, Columbia Records, who he auditioned for in 1982.
1972-1973: Getting signed and forming the E Street Band
Bruce Springsteen formed a new band for the recording of his debut album 'Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J.' This band would eventually be known as the E Street Band, who went on to be Bruce's backing band for the remainder of his career.
Bruce signed to Columbia Records in 1972 and released his debut album January 1973. He released the follow up album, 'The Wild, the Innocent & the E Street Shuffle' just eight months later!
1975: Born To Run
Despite taking 14 months to record, 'Born To Run' was released in August 1975 and became Bruce's breakthrough album, catapulting the singer-songwriter to international stardom and sell-out shows.
The album's title track 'Born To Run' remains one of Bruce's biggest hits!
1979: Madison Square Garden
In September 1979, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band took part in the historic No Nukes concert, organised by the Musicians United for Safe Energy collective, who protested against nuclear power.
A live album and documentary film was subsequently released documenting the performance. In 2021, it was announced that the performances will also be released as a new live film.
1984: Born in the USA
Springsteen released his seminal album and most famous work 'Born In The USA' in 1984. The LP sold over 30 million copies worldwide, becoming one of the best-selling albums of all time.
The title track and single 'Dancing In The Dark' were stand-out successes, with the latter's music video featuring a young Courteney Cox, who would later find fame in TV show 'Friends'.
The song also earned Bruce his very first GRAMMY Award for Best Rock Vocal Performance in 1984. Bruce has gone on to win 20 GRAMMY Awards in his career so far.
1999: Bruce is inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame
In 1999, Bruce Springsteen was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame alongside artists including Sir Paul McCartney, George Martin, Dusty Springfield, Curtis Mayfield and Billy Joel.
He also reformed the E Street Band this year and they embarked on a huge reunion tour, which lasted over a year.
2002: 'The Rising' and The Rising Tour
In July 2022, Bruce Springsteen released his first studio album alongside the E Street Band in 18 years. The band toured the album playing huge arenas in the USA and Europe.
The album won the GRAMMY Award for Best Rock Album and its title track won the GRAMMY for Best rock Song and Best Male Rock Vocal Performance.
2008: Bruce supports Barack Obama's presidential campaign
Bruce supported Barack Obama's campaign to become the 44th President of the United States in 2008. He played acoustic performances in support of the campaign throughout 2008 and upon Obama's Inaugural Celebration, Bruce was the first to perform at the ceremony.
The pair remain good friends, and in 2021 are publishing a book based on their hugely successful podcast.
February 2009: Super Bowl XLIII
After previously declining invites to play the prestigious Superbowl halftime show, Bruce finally agreed to perform and on 1st February 2009 wowed fans around the world with hits like 'Born To Run', 'Glory Days' and 'Working on a Dream'.
December 2009: Kennedy Centre Honours
On 6th December 2009, Bruce received the Kennedy Centre Honours, an annual honour given to those in the arts for their lifetime of contribution to American culture.
Barack Obama introduced Bruce by saying: "I'm the president but he's The Boss."
In November 2016, Bruce received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Barack Obama.
2016-2017: Autobiography and Springsteen on Broadway
In September 2016, Bruce released his autobiography 'Born to Run' which quickly became a New York Times Best Seller.
In June 2017, the 'Born in the USA' singer announced Springsteen On Broadway - an eight-week run of shows which would commence in Autumn 2017. The show included live performances, stories and excerpts from his autobiography. The production was extended three times and he was honoured with a Special Tony Award in 2018.
In 2021, Springsteen returned to Broadway for another limited run of Springsteen on Broadway shows.
2021: Podcast series with Barack Obama
In February 2021, Bruce announced he would be releasing an eight-part podcast series with former US President and good friend Barack Obama called Renegades: Born in the USA.
The podcast features the singer in conversation with Obama, discussing a wide range of topics. Later in 2021, it was announced that the popular series would be published as a book.
2022: Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band announce international tour
Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band announced a 2023 international tour, taking them across the United States, Europe and the UK in spring and summer.
2022: Bruce Springsteen announces 'Only The Strong Survive' album
In September, Bruce Springsteen announced that he would be releasing a soul music album. Titled 'Only The Strong Survive', it was released on 11th November with 15 tracks, including reimagined classic soul songs.
Of the album, he said: "My goal is for the modern audience to experience its beauty and joy, just as I have since I first heard it. I hope you love listening to it as much as I loved making it."
2023: 'Springsteen and E Street Band Tour'
Bruce embarked on the 'Springsteen and E Street Band Tour' in 2023, which is a tour with his backing band. It began in Tampa, Florida in February and later came to the UK, with dates in Edinburgh, Birmingham and London.
Unfortunately, Bruce was forced to postpone his September North American tour dates due to being treated for peptic ulcer disease.
2023: Bruce Springsteen receives National Medal of Arts award
Bruce Springsteen received a prestigious National Medal of Arts award from President Biden in March 2023. Bruce was part of the 2021 class of the National Medal of Arts but the ceremony has previously been stalled due to the pandemic.
2023: Bruce Springsteen at BST Hyde Park
Bruce Springsteen gave an amazing performance at two sold-out gigs in Hyde Park, London.
2024: Bruce makes a return to performing
In March 2024, Bruce made a triumphant return to performing with The E Street Band following a six month absence due to health issues. Bruce had previously told fans that he was suffering from peptic ulcer disease, which causes ulcers to form in the stomach and/or small intestine.
2024: Best Of Bruce Springsteen
On 19th April 2024, Bruce released his 'Best of Bruce Springsteen' album, featuring a massive 31 tracks on the digital version, including his hits such as 'Born To Run', 'Badlands' and 'Streets of Philadelphia'.
You can hear songs by Bruce Springsteen on Greatest Hits Radio.
Now read:
Bruce Springsteen: Everything you need to know about his incredible career 🎸
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