Larry Marano, Getty Images / Didier Messens, Redferns / Amanda Edwards, Getty Images
Stars of the music world have come out in force to pay tribute to the late Clarence Clemons. The Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band saxophonist passed away on Saturday, June 18, after complications following a stroke suffered the previous weekend.
Leading the outpourings of admiration was Bono who, during the encore of U2's concert at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, Calif., on Saturday night, told the crowd (via the NME), "I want you to think about Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. I want you to think of Clarence Clemons. This man has carried music, and music carried him until this day."
Eddie Vedder also took the opportunity on stage to pay homage to Clemons, dedicating 'Better Man' -- with the lyrics changed to "bigger man" -- to the late saxophonist at a solo show in Hartford, Ct. after learning the news during his set.
Accompanied by a video of Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band's 'Jungleland', Chris Martin posted on Coldplay's official website, "RIP our favourite saxophone player, Clarence 'Big Man' Clemons."
For many, Twitter provided the best forum to pay their respects. Slash tweeted, "Clarence Clemons was one of the finest musicians/people in this business. He will be sorely missed. RIP", while Def Leppard wrote, "The Leppard family would like to pass on their sincerest condolences to Clarence Clemons's family, and to Bruce and the E-Street Band."
Ultimately it fell to Bruce Springsteen to pay the most poignant tribute, "He was my great friend, my partner, and with