Clarence Clemons Dead: Bruce Springsteen's 'E Street Band' Saxophonist Dies At 69

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Clarence Clemons, the saxophone player in Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band, died on Saturday, according to media reports, almost a week after he had a stroke at his Florida home. He was 69.

The New York Times said Clemons' death was confirmed by a spokeswoman for Springsteen. Reuters could not immediately confirm the reports.

Clemons started playing with Springsteen in 1971, and had notable solos on such tunes as "Born to Run," "Thunder Road" and "Badlands." He was dubbed "Big Man," which was also the title of a 2009 memoir he co-wrote with Don Reo.

Away from the E Street Band, Clemons enjoyed a hit single in 1985 with "You're a Friend of Mine," a duet with Jackson Browne. He also dabbled in acting, and worked with other artists including Ringo Starr, Aretha Franklin and Lady Gaga.

Clemons underwent double knee-replacement surgery in 2008, and walked for the first time in three months when Springsteen and the E Street Band played the Super Bowl early in 2009.

[Watch some notable videos of Clemons and vote on your favorites.]

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