Source: Backstreets.com
ARE WE MISSING ANYBODY?
Announcing Backstreets #91, our tribute to Clarence Clemons
One year ago today, the Springsteen community was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Clarence Clemons. “Deeply saddened” hardly says it — the Big Man’s death sent gut-deep shock waves up and down E Street, and we’re all still feeling it one year later, even as Springsteen and the band soldier on. “On through the houses of the dead, past those fallen in their tracks / Always movin’ ahead and never lookin’ back,” Springsteen first sang back in 1995; now, a loss this monumental demands we remember, night after night, that we’re missing somebody. Somebody big.On this anniversary, we’re proud to announce the 91st issue of BackstreetsMagazine, a tribute to and celebration of Clarence’s life, music, and legacy. While this issue could never be big enough to capture all the facets of such an extraordinary man (Master of the universe! Best selling author! The next president of the United States!), we’ve worked hard to include the voices of many who knew and loved the man. In our tribute to “Phantom” Danny Federici, we focused on the E Street Band’s perspective, to give insight into their most mysterious member at the time of the band’s first loss; to celebrate Clarence’s life, we widened our focus to try and reflect that broad spectrum that is the Big Man.
My original artwork - The Boss and The Big Man (oil on canvas)
submission from laurengcarey
And this is my favorite part of the story: Bruce went to Clarence Clemons. Why? Because Clarence knew everybody. Clarence would know where to find God. Bruce showed up, and Clarence asked him if he really intended to go see God in a Nash Rambler — God, after all, had people coming to him in Cadillacs. Bruce said that the Nash was all he had. Clemons shrugged and took Bruce along a dark road, through the woods, to a little house to see God.
The story ends with God telling Springsteen that there was an 11th Commandment left off: “Let it rock.” But I don’t care much for the ending. I care only for the drive. Clarence Clemons died on Saturday. He was 69 years old. And I think of Rosalita and being young. More, though, I think of Bruce and Clarence, Bad Scooter and the Big Man, in that Nash Rambler driving through the dark to find God."
via Backstreets.com: Rest in Peace, Big Man
I keep reading and re-reading the Backstreets obit, and it’s just perfect.
Bruce and Clarence were Scooter and the Big Man, they were black and white, they were big and small. It was still a bold move in the early ’70s, especially in some parts of the country, to have an African-American in your band, much less one you danced with, rubbed butts with and engaged in a long soulful kiss with; the country was only a few years out of the Civil Rights movement and there are stories of gigs the band didn’t get and hotels they were told they weren’t welcome in.
via Backstreets.com: Rest in Peace, Big Man
Bossman, some of your expressions are priceless!
Your friend,
Carol Lozito,
“Painter for the Endangered Species” tm
The idea is to have fans around the world send in pics of themselves raising their hands in support of Clarence, a tribute to the line from Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out:
The change was made uptown, and the Big Man joined the band
From the coastline to the cities, all the little pretties raise their hands
If you want to be included, OR if you want to help me edit this into a video (because god knows I’m not gifted in that area) send your submission and thoughts to getwellclarence@gmail.com. And spread the word!
Bruce Springsteen and several members of the E Street Band jam together on stage.
Submitted by penumbralcertainty
Hi,
Who took that photo? It’s really good. I’m Diane Lozito’s big sister. We hung out with Bruce down the shore and went to many of his gigs together. In fact sometimes I drove.
I now paint the endangered species but still love Rock & Roll and stay in touch with Bruce.
www.carollozito.com is my website of some of my colorful, copyrighted art for any art lovers that are interested.
So “Prove It All Night”, OK Bruce? Call me when you’re in town. You have my #’s. Call me on my cell. That would be better since I’ve moved. My sister’s cute isn’t she?
Carol Lozito,
” The Endangered Species Artist” tm
