THE BOSS AND THE BIG MAN
I’ve just finished reading a book entitled "BIG MAN: Real Life & Tall Tales," written by Clarence Clemons and Don Reo. Clemons is best known as the saxophone player for Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, although he has also played with the Grateful Dead and Ringo Starr, among others. Don Reo is a long-time toiler in the vineyards of television comedy and an old friend of Clemons.
I've read a couple of other memoirs of musicians who played in rock bands (The Dead and The Eagles) and the amount of angst was surprising. In one way it was reassuring to know that these guys were just as miserable as anyone else. On the other hand it was mildly disappointing to be reminded of man's capacity to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory no matter how much fortune smiles upon you.
You don't get that feeling reading BIG MAN. Clarence Clemons seems to be a thoroughly likable and altogether decent sort of chap. This is not the memoir of an angry or frustrated man. I'm not saying he doesn't have issues, but he is not a brooder. He is deeply and continually aware of and appreciative of the life he has been given to live.
If you listen to this clip of "Born To Run" you will hear Bruce at the beginning talking to the crowd. He says "Remember, in the end nobody wins unless everybody wins." I wonder what would happen if the politicians started thinking that way?
Good night Wendy, wherever you are. I hope you got to walk in the sun.
January 13, 2010
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