Post by mapender on Jun 12, 2011 22:57:38 GMT -5
I couldn't sleep so I felt like writing something and so I did and posted it on here since I don't have a blog or anything. Sorry for being so self-indulgent.
A couple of hours ago I was grinning from ear-to-ear as I watched one of my favorite new artists once again nail a performance, completely justifying my being such a big fan of a 13 year-old kid. Now, my eyes are filled with tears as I come to find that my favorite band of all time is now no more.
I think most people on here know that I am a big fan of Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. The way that many of you guys feel about Greyson, that is how I feel about Springsteen. When I was 14 years old, I didn't fall in love with a talented new artist, but rather a man and his band who had already achieved legendary status years before I was born. I don't know exactly how I ended up becoming such a big Springsteen fan, but that is immaterial. The point is that there was something in his words, his music, and his passion that captivated me and has continued to bring me so much joy over these past 11 years.
While "Bruce Springsteen" is the name that sells the tickets, everybody who is a fan knows that the men and women who play behind him are just as important to the music that we all love. The E Street Band has added a number of members over the years, but all six musicians that were backing Bruce back in 1975 when he released his breakthrough album Born to Run were still on the stage playing behind him when his last tour ended in 2009 (save one who passed away in 2008). In the world of rock-and-roll where far too often drugs, suicide, or just inflated egos destroy great bands, the fact that the same men were playing together 30+ years later is remarkable. Those of us who are die-hard fans love Bruce, first and foremost, but the men and women who make up the E Street Band also hold a very special place in our hearts.
Saying that, the confirmation from Rolling Stone a few hours ago that "The Big Man" Clarence Clemons (the saxophone player) had suffered a stroke and was now "seriously ill" at his Florida home has sent shock waves throughout the Springsteen community of fans. The loss of Danny Federici (the organ player) a few years ago was undoubtedly a sad event, but he, unlike Clarence, was always able to fade into the background and let his playing do the talking. When another musician filled in following his passing, there wasn't that much difference in the shows or the music. On the other hand, though, Clarence is the epitome of the E Street Band. His larger than life presence on stage was just as integral to what made the E Street Band great as his saxophone playing. For many fans, there is no E Street Band without Clarence
I realize the fact that I feel so strongly about a man who I have never met and that only plays the saxophone in my favorite band borders on crazy, but I think it speaks to the power of art to touch all of us in some very irrational ways. There is an adage "Trust the art, not the artist," but I have come across very few people who are able to completely separate the art they love from the artist who created it. I think it is only natural that we all feel some sort of attachment to those that have touched our lives or inspired us in some way through their art. I may not have shared the sentiments of the thousands that filled the streets following the passing of Michael Jackson or may have been slightly perplexed by those that still bring flowers to place outside the Dakota building where John Lennon was murdered years before I was born, but on some level I understand where those people are coming from.
There are two very different discussions going on right now among Springsteen fans. First and most importantly, we are all praying tonight for the recovery of the man, the father, the husband, the friend. While Clarence is in his late 60s, he still has a lot of living to do and we all hope that he pulls through and is able to live many more happy and healthy years. However, there is also the more selfish mourning of the loss of something that has been an integral part of our lives for years (and decades for most fans). While a stroke isn't necessarily fatal, we all now realize that those persistent rumors of one last E Street Band tour will most likely never materialize. There is no doubt in my mind that Bruce Springsteen will release more music and that he will tour again. It is in his blood and soul. The band will carry on, but it will never be the same.
I can't be thankful enough that this legendary band remained intact for almost 40 years, giving me the chance to see them albeit in the twilight of their career. We can only hope that Greyson is that lucky as well.
Here is a great picture. Bruce and Clarence in 1975 on the cover of the Born to Run album and then again recreating the pose at the band's final show in 2009.
Sorry for such a long and rather pointless topic.
A couple of hours ago I was grinning from ear-to-ear as I watched one of my favorite new artists once again nail a performance, completely justifying my being such a big fan of a 13 year-old kid. Now, my eyes are filled with tears as I come to find that my favorite band of all time is now no more.
I think most people on here know that I am a big fan of Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. The way that many of you guys feel about Greyson, that is how I feel about Springsteen. When I was 14 years old, I didn't fall in love with a talented new artist, but rather a man and his band who had already achieved legendary status years before I was born. I don't know exactly how I ended up becoming such a big Springsteen fan, but that is immaterial. The point is that there was something in his words, his music, and his passion that captivated me and has continued to bring me so much joy over these past 11 years.
While "Bruce Springsteen" is the name that sells the tickets, everybody who is a fan knows that the men and women who play behind him are just as important to the music that we all love. The E Street Band has added a number of members over the years, but all six musicians that were backing Bruce back in 1975 when he released his breakthrough album Born to Run were still on the stage playing behind him when his last tour ended in 2009 (save one who passed away in 2008). In the world of rock-and-roll where far too often drugs, suicide, or just inflated egos destroy great bands, the fact that the same men were playing together 30+ years later is remarkable. Those of us who are die-hard fans love Bruce, first and foremost, but the men and women who make up the E Street Band also hold a very special place in our hearts.
Saying that, the confirmation from Rolling Stone a few hours ago that "The Big Man" Clarence Clemons (the saxophone player) had suffered a stroke and was now "seriously ill" at his Florida home has sent shock waves throughout the Springsteen community of fans. The loss of Danny Federici (the organ player) a few years ago was undoubtedly a sad event, but he, unlike Clarence, was always able to fade into the background and let his playing do the talking. When another musician filled in following his passing, there wasn't that much difference in the shows or the music. On the other hand, though, Clarence is the epitome of the E Street Band. His larger than life presence on stage was just as integral to what made the E Street Band great as his saxophone playing. For many fans, there is no E Street Band without Clarence
I realize the fact that I feel so strongly about a man who I have never met and that only plays the saxophone in my favorite band borders on crazy, but I think it speaks to the power of art to touch all of us in some very irrational ways. There is an adage "Trust the art, not the artist," but I have come across very few people who are able to completely separate the art they love from the artist who created it. I think it is only natural that we all feel some sort of attachment to those that have touched our lives or inspired us in some way through their art. I may not have shared the sentiments of the thousands that filled the streets following the passing of Michael Jackson or may have been slightly perplexed by those that still bring flowers to place outside the Dakota building where John Lennon was murdered years before I was born, but on some level I understand where those people are coming from.
There are two very different discussions going on right now among Springsteen fans. First and most importantly, we are all praying tonight for the recovery of the man, the father, the husband, the friend. While Clarence is in his late 60s, he still has a lot of living to do and we all hope that he pulls through and is able to live many more happy and healthy years. However, there is also the more selfish mourning of the loss of something that has been an integral part of our lives for years (and decades for most fans). While a stroke isn't necessarily fatal, we all now realize that those persistent rumors of one last E Street Band tour will most likely never materialize. There is no doubt in my mind that Bruce Springsteen will release more music and that he will tour again. It is in his blood and soul. The band will carry on, but it will never be the same.
I can't be thankful enough that this legendary band remained intact for almost 40 years, giving me the chance to see them albeit in the twilight of their career. We can only hope that Greyson is that lucky as well.
Here is a great picture. Bruce and Clarence in 1975 on the cover of the Born to Run album and then again recreating the pose at the band's final show in 2009.
Sorry for such a long and rather pointless topic.