The lights were dimmed, and the cell phones were lighted up when Bono, The Edge and the rest of the band performed a rendition of 'Moment of Surrender/Jungleland'.
- Jun 21, 2011
AceShowbiz - Following the passing of saxophonist Clarence Clemons over the weekend, many musicians offered their condolence and paid tribute to the E Street Band's member. Over the weekend soon after the news broke to public, U2 dimmed the lights during one of their sets at a concert in Anaheim, Calif. to remember the late artist.
"I want you to think about the beautiful symphonic sound that came out of one man's saxophone. I want you to think about Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band of brothers," Bono said once the lights were dimmed. "I want you to think of Clarence Clemons. This man just carried music, and music carried him, until this day."
After the solemn intro, Bono and the gang performed "Moment of Surrender" as concertgoers inside the stadium held up their lighters and cell phones to pay respect to the late saxophonist as well. The band inserted some lyrics of Bruce/E Street's song "Jungleland" into their song.
Elsewhere, Eddie Vedder and Bon Jovi also paid homage to Clarence in a separate occasion. The former dedicated "Better Man" and changed the lyrics to "bigger man" when doing a show in Hartford, CT, while the latter played a cover of "Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out" when rocking Denmark.
Other musicians like Chris Martin, Def Leppard and Slash took to their Twitter and official website to mourn the late sax player. "RIP our favourite saxophone player, Clarence 'Big Man' Clemons," the Coldplay frontman wrote on the band's official site. Rock band Def Leppard wrote, "The Leppard family would like to pass on their sincerest condolences to Clarence Clemons' family, and to Bruce and the E-Street Band."
The former Guns N' Roses star, meanwhile, remembered the 69-year-old musician in more than one tweets." He first posted, "Clarence Clemons was one of the finest musicians/people in this business. He will be sorely missed. RIP" before following it up with another message "Great sidemen like Clarence Clemons don't get the full appreciation they deserve until they're gone."
Bruce Springsteen himself issued a heartfelt statement regarding his pal's passing. "Clarence lived a wonderful life," he said. "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."
