Bruce Springsteen


Clarence Clemons, the saxophonist who is part of the signature sound of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band, has suffered a stroke.
A person who has worked with Clemons in the past confirmed Sunday night that he had a stroke at his home in Florida. The person spoke on condition of anonymity and had no additional information on Clemons's condition. A report on Showbiz411.com said he was seriously ill.
Clemons, 69, started playing with Springsteen in 1971, and his sax solos can be heard on songs such as Born to Run, Thunder Road andBadlands.
He is known as "Big Man" in the E Street Band, and he gave that title to a 2009 memoir he co-wrote with Don Reo.
The veteran musician has also worked with Ringo Starr, Aretha Franklin and the Grateful Dead. He played with Lady Gaga on the season finale of American Idol last month. Clemons and Jackson Browne recorded the single You're a Friend of Mine in 1985.
Clemons underwent double knee-replacement surgery in 2008 and had to perform in a wheelchair for a short time. However, he was up and walking in time for Springsteen and the E Street Band's performance at the 2009 Super Bowl.