By Tim Saunders on
Clarence Clemons, best known as Bruce Springsteen's sax player in the E Street Band, has passed away at the age of 69, leaving behind a charity legacy.
Known by his fans as “The Big Man”, Clarence had a heart of gold. He hosted many charity events, including an annual celebrity charity gala and auction for Home Safe's work improving the lives of children and families, and charity concerts for the Bicol Clinic Foundation.
“Home Safe is close to me, it’s in my neck of the woods and you want to start as close to yourself as possible,” Clarence said in 2010. “It gives you more time to reach out since its right here at home.”
Little Kids Rock – the organization that provides free instruments and lessons to underprivileged kids – even honored the legend by naming one of their annual awards the “Big Man of the Year”, presenting it to those who help put instruments in the hands of those in need.
“Clarence lived a wonderful life,” said Bruce Springsteen. “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.”
Clemons suffered a stroke on June 12, and died of complications on June 18.
Copyright © 2011 Look to the Stars
