Clarence Clemons

From 1973 until 2011, Clarence Clemons played saxophone and sang as part of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band. His expressive, R&B-rooted approach helped define the group's overall tone, most prominently on the breakthrough single "Born to Run" and across numerous other tracks and releases. Passionate solos, easy rapport with listeners, and visible rapport with Springsteen and the rest of the band made Clemons a consistent crowd favorite throughout the E Street Band's lengthy live shows. He issued multiple solo albums and reached the charts with the duet "You're a Friend of Mine" recorded alongside Jackson Browne. On June 18, 2011, Clemons died from stroke-related complications. Springsteen gave the eulogy at the service in Palm Beach, Florida, where he told mourners, "He loved the saxophone, loved our fans, and gave everything he had every night he stepped on-stage."