Little Steven Offers Moving Tribute to Clarence Clemons; Says E Street Band Will Continue

During his 'Underground Garage' radio show last weekend, 'Little' Steven Van Zandt took a moment to eulogize his recently deceased friend and musical comrade, Clarence Clemons -- and to assure fans that the E Street Band will continue.

After opening the show with a live rendition of 'Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out' from 1975, Van Zandt paused to deliver a four-minute eulogy for Clemons, calling him a "lifelong friend and brother" and thanking him for "blowing life-changing energy and hope into this miserable world with your big beautiful lungs." He also thanked Clemons for "sharing a piece of that big heart nightly with the world -- it needs it, you and that magnificent saxophone, celebrating, confessing, seeking redemption and providing salvation, all at once. Speaking wordlessly, but so eloquently with that pure sound you made, the sound of life itself."

"We will continue to make music and perform -- let’s face it, that’s all we really know how to do," said Van Zandt, adding, "But it will be very different without him, just as it’s been different without Danny [Federici], our first lost comrade."

Clemons passed away on June 18, six days after suffering a massive stroke. E Street bandleader Bruce Springsteen is reportedly working on a new album with producer Ron Aniello, tentatively scheduled for release in early 2012; it's unknown whether those sessions will feature the E Street Band.

[Ultimate Classic Rock]