Clarence Clemons, the saxophone player in Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band, has died, aged¹ 69, a spokeswoman for the band has said.

E街乐队一位女发言人称，该乐队的萨克斯手克拉伦斯·克莱蒙斯离世，享年69岁。

Clemons (left) and Springsteen worked together for nearly 40 years
Clemons was taken to hospital about a week ago after suffering a stroke at his home in Singer Island, in the US state of Florida.

Known as the Big Man for his 6ft 5in frame, Clemons was credited with shaping the early sound of The Boss.

His solos powered Springsteen hits such as Born to Run and Jungleland.

'Immeasurable' loss

Springsteen spokeswoman Marilyn Laverty confirmed the death on Saturday.

On his website, Springsteen said the loss of Clemons was "immeasurable" and that he and his bandmates were honoured to have stood beside him for nearly 40 years.

The statement said: "Clarence lived a wonderful life. He carried within him a love of people that made them love him."

It added: "He loved the saxophone（萨克斯） , loved our fans and gave everything he had every night he stepped on stage."

Clemons had suffered from poor health in recent years, including major spinal² surgery in January 2010.

At the 2009 Super Bowl, following double knee replacement³ surgery, he rose from a wheelchair to perform with Springsteen.

In May this year Clemons, a former youth councillor, was well enough to perform with Lady Gaga on the finale of the television show American Idol⁴.

Born in Norfolk, Virginia, Clemons began playing saxophone at the age of nine after receiving one unexpectedly from his father for Christmas.

"I wanted an electric train for Christmas, but he got me a saxophone. I flipped⁵ out," he told the Associated Press news agency in a 1989 interview.

After his dreams of being a football player were dashed by a car accident, he turned to music.

Clemons hit it off immediately with Springsteen, then a singer-songwriter from New Jersey⁶, when they first met in 1971, and the saxophonist became an original member of the E Street Band.

Their friendship survived Springsteen's decision to concentrate on solo projects following the success of his album Born in the USA.

In a 2009 interview, Clemons described his deep bond with The Boss, saying: "It's the most passion that you have without sex."

As well as TV and movie appearances over the years, Clemons performed with the Grateful Dead, the Jerry Garcia Band, and Ringo Starr and his All Starr Band.

He also recorded with legendary⁷ musical artists such as Aretha Franklin, Roy Orbison and Jackson Browne.

And he jammed with former US President Bill Clinton at the 1993 inaugural⁸ ball.

Clemons published a memoir⁹, Big Man: Real Life and Tall Tales, in 2009.

The saxophonist once described performing as his natural environment.

The stage, said the Baptist minister's grandson, "always feels like home - it's where I belong".