Saxophone legend Clarence Clemons dies

Clarence Clemons, the legendary saxophone player in Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band breathed his last at the age of 69, after being hospitalised a week ago with a stroke.

Clarence Clemons, the legendary saxophone player in Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band breathed his last at the age of 69, after being hospitalised a week ago with a stroke.

The ‘larger-than-life saxophone player’ succumbed to multiple complications from the stroke at his home in Singer Island, Florida, reports the Fox News.

Famously known as the ‘Big Man’ because of his imposing 6-foot-5-inch, and 270-plus pound frame, Clemons has produced key songs, including Jungleland, and Born To Run.

His booming saxophone solos became a signature sound for the E Street Band and he was a major influence in Bruce Springsteen's life and music through four decades.

Clemons had been pulled down by health issues in recent years. He endured a major spinal surgery in January 2010 and at the 2009 Super Bowl, he rose from a wheelchair to perform with Springsteen after a double knee replacement surgery.

Fighting severe, chronic pain and post-surgical depression, Clemons still managed to maintain a sense of humour.

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“Of all the surgeries I've had, there's not much left to operate on. I am totally bionic,” he said during a 2010 interview with a news agency.

“God will give you no more than you can handle. This is all a test to see if you are really ready for the good things that are going to come in your life. All this pain is going to come back and make me stronger,” he added.