'Big Man' Clarence Clemons Dead at 69

Saxophone player suffered a serious stroke last Sunday
'Big Man' Clarence Clemons Passes Away at 69
Clarence Clemons performs the national anthem before an opening day baseball game between the Florida Marlins and the New York Mets in Miami, Friday, April 1, 2011. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)   (AP)

Clarence Clemons, the saxophonist who found fame as a member of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band, has died. He was 69 years old. Clemons suffered a stroke last Sunday, and the New York Times reports that the cause of death was complications from that stroke. The paper calls Clemons "a central part" in the Boss' music, citing his contributions to songs like "Born to Run."

Clemons had also dabbled in acting, appearing in Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure and Fatal Instinct among other films, notes Us Weekly. The "Big Man" also worked with a number of artists beyond Springsteen, including Aretha Franklin ("Freeway of Love") and Lady Gaga ("Edge of Glory," "Hair"). Click for more. (More Clarence Clemons stories.)

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