While the death of saxophonistClarence Clemons left many to believe his longtime supporting band might not continue, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band will be on the road in 2012 behind a new as-yet untitled studio album.
"A lot of you have been hearing that Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band will be on tour in 2012," a statement released Sunday evening on Springsteen's site says. "That is absolutely correct. The European dates run from the middle of May until the end of July and are being announced this week. Info on the U.S. and the World tour dates will (be) coming up shortly."
The tour will be the band's first since concluding the 2009 world trek in Buffalo and the first without Clemons, who died on June 18 of this year. There's no word if the group is considering bringing a touring saxophonist on the global jaunt.
Meanwhile, the group will also be performing behind new studio material. According to the same post the "music is almost done" and "we have almost settled on the release date." The band released its last album, 'Working on a Dream,' in early 2009. Again, there is no indication if any of the new material contains a contribution from Clemons.
The news also stops any speculation that Springsteen would embark on a solo album and tour as has been the case in recent memory.
Springsteen performed with Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers over two nights earlier this month in Pittsburgh. The Boss also played a benefit show in late October with proceeds going to Boston College.
