Although Bruce Springsteen's E-Street band has endured after the death of keyboardist Danny Federici of melanoma in 2008, for long time followers of the group, it seems impossible at this moment that his touring band will ever be the same with the loss over the weekend of legendary saxophonist Clarence Clemons, who died of complications from a stroke Saturday night in a hospital in Palm Beach, Fla. He was 69.

The Boss himself expressed his sentiments on his website;

Clarence lived a wonderful life. 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.

This article appears in Jun 16-22, 2011.