Clarence Clemons dies; sax player for Springsteen (1942-2011)

Musician Clarence Clemons dies at age 69. Clemons, whose saxophone was immediately recognizable, was an original member of the legendary E street Band.

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The late saxophonist and original member of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band is shown during an interview in New York on Oct. 30, 2009.

Bebeto Matthews / AP

1985

Clarence Clemons, who gained worldwide fame as the saxophone player for Bruce Sprinsteen's "E Street Band," launched his first solo project entitled "Hero" in 1985.

/ AP

1985

Rock star Bruce Springsteen, known as "The Boss," performs with the late sax player Clarence Clemons, known as "The Big Man."

Lennox Mclendon / AP

1985

In this October 1985 file photo, saxophonist Clarence Clemons is shown with actor Gary Coleman on the set of the television series, "Different Strokes."

/ AP

1989

Liza Minnelli performs with saxophonist Clarence Clemons during the taping of "Grammy Living Legends," for a CBS-TV special, Nov. 22, 1989, in Los Angeles. Minnelli was honored with the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences Award.

Doug Pizac / AP

1993

Clarence Clemons plays during then-President Bill Clinton's arrival on stage at the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco on Saturday, Nov. 20, 1993. The event was a fundraising dinner for Sen. Dianne Feinstein.

Susan Ragan / AP

1999

In this Mar. 15, 1999, file photo, Bruce Springsteen celebrates his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with his wife Patti Scialfa and members of his E Street Band, including Clarence Clemons, second left.

Kathy Willens / AP

2002

Bruce Springsteen, right, performs with E Street sax player Clarence Clemons during their show in Boston on Friday, Oct. 4, 2002.

Winslow Townson / AP

2006

In this June 18, 2006, file photo, saxophonist Clarence Clemons performs before the start of the NBA Finals basketball Game 5 between the Dallas Mavericks and the Miami Heat.

Lynne Sladky / AP

2007

Clarence Clemons blows a riff on tenor sax as Bruce Springsteen sings and Max Weinberg plays drums during a concert in Hartford, Conn. by Springsteen and his E Street Band. The concert was the first tour by the band since 2002.

Bob Child / AP

2009

E Street Band member Clarence Clemons performs at the Verizon Center on November 1, 2009.

Toni L. Sandys / The Washington Post

2010

In this Nov. 14, 2010 file photo, Clarence Clemons performs during the halftime show of the NFL matchup between the Tennessee Titans and the Miami Dolphins.

Rhona Wise / AP

In this Jan. 29, 2003, file photo, Clarence Clemons poses outside his home in Singer Island, Fla.

Hillery Smith Garrison / AP

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