In the summer of 1984, I was twelve years old and Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band released Born in the USA. Now, as a kid in New Jersey, I probably should have heard Bruce's music long before this, but in my house, my grandfather (who ruled the radio with an iron fist) was a Country & Western fan and my cousins (who lived with us) were into the Rolling Stones and Van Halen. So, 1984 would be the first time I ever heard Springsteen.
And since that summer, I've been a diehard Bruce fanatic. I've seen him live three times (which isn't NEARLY enough, but still...) There's only one song of his I really can't stand (other diehard Springsteen fans should cover their eyes right now, because what I'm about to write is probably downright sacrilegious) is Rosalita. I know... I know...
Clarence Clemons was an integral part of the E Street Band. From Born to Run to Born in the USA to Working on a Dream, his saxophone molded that sound that is distinctive to the E Street Band's music.You know a Bruce song the moment you hear it because of the sweet, soulful sound of the Big Man's sax.
But now, the Big Man is gone. And far too young
The E Street Band will never sound the same again.
Rest in peace, Big Man. Music's loss, our loss, is heaven's gain...
2 comments:
Ha! I think we had the same experience, Kim. My dad was a diehard country fan.
I wrote my Clarence tribute: http://ourlifewords.blogspot.com/2011/06/rip-clarence-clemons.html
Can't believe you didn't like Rosalita. But i will forgive you if we can see a show together next time they tour (which I hear is 2012).
No one can believe I don't like Rosalita. I think it's because it gets played more than any other Bruce song (especially on NJ101.5) I can listen to it, but it's not what I look for when I pull out a Bruce CD. :D And yes, we WILL go see him together the next time they tour. Absolutely!!
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