Springsteen sax star Clarence Clemons dies – reports

NEW YORK – (UPDATE)  Star saxophonist Clarence Clemons, a member of rock legend Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band, has died after suffering a stroke, US media reported Saturday.

The 69-year-old musician, who has had various health crises in recent years, had suffered a stroke about one week ago and undergone surgery, but died Saturday from complications of the stroke, CBS news reported.

Springsteen expressed “overwhelming sadness” and said “Clarence lived a wonderful life.

“He gave everything he had every night he stepped on stage. He was my great friend, my partner,” Springsteen added in a statement on CNN.

Clemons’s last appearance with Springsteen and his long-time band was in December. He also made a cameo performance on the song “The Edge of Glory” on Lady Gaga’s recently released “Born This Way” album.

The son of a minister, Clemons – nicknamed the Big Man with the Big Horn – was born in Norfolk, Virginia, and started playing the alto saxophone at age 9.

Originally posted at 10:09 am | Sunday, June 19, 2011