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Big Man: Real Life and Tall Tales [NOOK Book]
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Clarence Clemons commands attention. The E-Street Band saxophonist is big, so big that he looks like a building walking around, but he also conveys something truly mythic. That mythos has played out freely in Bruce Springsteen songs and stories that seem to spread and change like the wind. In this autobiography, "Big Man" himself expounds on how it all happened and what it all means. Now in paperback. (Hand-selling tip: Big Man is the real deal. It tells the real stories behind the E-Street band's early years and subsequent worldwide fame. And it features a foreword by Bruce Springsteen himself!)
I’m not going to make it,” said Clarence.
We were sitting in his hospital room overlooking the East River. He’d had his second knee-replacement surgery two days before. The other knee had been replaced two weeks ago.
“Don’t talk like that,” I said. “You’re going to be fine.”
“I mean the Super Bowl show,” he said. “There’s no way. You can’t imagine the pain.”
For him to say this, the pain must have been off the charts. I’d been with him through surgeries before, including three hip replacements, which are no walk in the park. But I had never seen him like this or heard him talk this way.
“It’s too soon to say that,” I replied. “Give it some time. Take the drugs and rest.”
“They haven’t made a drug that can touch this pain. I feel like I’m made of pain.”
It was the first week of October, and the band was booked to play the half-time show at the Super Bowl in February. That was only four months away. In my heart I agreed with Clarence. I did not think there was any way on God’s earth that he’d be able to make that show.
“Do you want to work on the book?” I asked. “Feel like telling me some stories?”
“Maybe,” he said. “I’ve been having all these crazy dreams. Fever dreams about all the people in my life. My family, Bruce, music, writers I like…” He trailed off momentarily but soon picked up again. “Some truly bizarre stuff. These dreams—they’re full of crazy conversations in weird places. I’ve been thinking about my mother and father a lot. I guess that’s natural in this situation. They’re gone and I feel like I’m moving toward them fast.”
“This doesn’t sound like you, Big Man,” I said.
That was true. Clarence has always been one of the most positive people in the world.
“I know, Don,” he said. “But I don’t feel like me.”
He turned his head away and looked out the window. It was early afternoon, and the FDR was already jammed with traffic. A big barge was being towed upriver just below us.
“I’ve never missed a show in my life,” he said.
He didn’t look at me when he said it, because he wasn’t talking to me.
My mother told me this story, and I love it with all my heart.
—C.C.
The man was drinking Coca-Cola; the woman was drinking ginger ale. All the other people in the club were drinking alcohol in one form or another. Not that it was all that crowded. The small room was about one-third full. All eyes were on the stage and the man playing the horn. His name was Sill Austin and he was great. He played with a soft intensity that was mesmerizing. The man and woman had walked two miles from their home through the cold December evening to see him. They rarely went out these days. Babysitters were a luxury they couldn’t afford. But when the man had seen the ad in the paper saying Sill Austin was booked at Frankie’s Lounge, he knew they had to find a way to go. They’d listened to the recordings over and over.
“You’re going to wear a hole right through that thing,” she’d say to him every time he put one of them on the record player.
“Then I’ll go buy a new one,” he always said in return.
And now here they were in the same room with him, watching him play and create that magic.
Watching Sill Austin play pretty for the people. He reached out and took her hand. She squeezed his hand in response.
After the show they sat at the table for a while and finished their sodas. It felt like the old days when they’d first started going out. Before the war to end all wars.
“If World War Two was the war to end all wars,” he said once, “how come they gave it a number?”
“I think that was World War One,” she’d said, smiling.
“Even worse,” he had replied.
“Did you like the show?” she asked him, even though she knew the answer.
“Yeah,” he said. He was never a big talker.
She thought he looked handsome in his Sunday suit. The shirt was as white as his teeth.
“Why do you think you like him so much?” she asked. “There are plenty of other horn players out there.”
“He plays the music that I hear in my head,” he said.
It was very cold when they stepped outside. The wind had picked up. The weather forecast was calling for snow tomorrow. Christmas lights glowed in a lot of the shop windows. They both pulled up their collars and started to walk. She put her arm through his and they stepped in rhythm, shoulder to shoulder.
“I think that’s him,” she said.
He looked at Sill Austin putting his horn case into the front seat of a new DeSoto.
“Yeah, that’s him, ” he said.
“Wanna say hello?” she asked.
“No,” he replied.
“Why not?”
“’Cause right now it’s perfect,” he said.
After the first mile she said, “Clarence wants a train set.”
“From Santa,” she said. “Electric trains.”
“Yeah,” he said. “Then when he grows up he can become a Pullman porter.”
“I don’t think that’s necessarily true,” she said, smiling. The cold made it hard to feel her face.
“The boy’s going to be nine years old,” he said. “Time he grew up.”
“Meaning what?” she said.
“I’m not getting him trains,” he said.
“He’ll be disappointed,” she said.
“He’ll get over it,” he said.
“So what do you want to get him?” she asked.
He lifted his head and looked at her. He smiled.
“A saxophone,” he said.
Excerpted from Big Man by Clemons, Clarence Copyright © 2010 by Clemons, Clarence. Excerpted by permission.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.
Anonymous
Posted January 16, 2010
If you love Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, you will love this book. It is written in an original fashion. Clarence writes about a subject and his friend writes about a subject(more from a fan's perspective). It is very entertaining and gives you a hint of what life as an E Street Band member must be like. Well written, but unfortunately goes too fast. I didn't want it to end!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Advance copy: Missing photos and Bruce Forward.
Note: MANY SPOILERS!
For the casual Springsteen/E-Street Band fan looking for some items of general interest and a light/easy read - and one that enjoys fantasies or "tall tales" - it's an enjoyable read.
If you're a hardcore fan - "Bruce tramp" - you will be disappointed by this book.
I've read many of the Springsteen books out there and they are more like tributes to Bruce than an analysis of his music, the band, the performances, etc. I really thought that Clarence would write a more personal story but like many of the other books, it's a very sanitized version of Clarence and the band. Bruce has always been a private person and his management team have always protected his privacy. I've read that anyone involved with Springsteen must sign a confidentiality agreement - this must also include Clemons, since it's like Clarence was given "privacy guidelines" before he and Reos published this book.
I'm hoping one day we will get the full, uncensored, unsanitized history of the E Street Band by either Bruce or a key member of the band.
Some overall take aways from the book:
* No detailed stories about the making of songs, some of the elite or unique performances and venues, no real details on personal or band relationships. No verbatim nor anecdotal behind the scenes stories.
* There are so many things a "tramp" would want to know but 1/2 the book is spent on these fictional accounts of meetings with Dylan, Sinatra, Mailer etc. While some of them are entertaining, I would rather read about "actual" events.
* Very sanitized! Typical of the type of books written about Springsteen and the band. It does not peel off the outside layers and get at the heart of things.
* Has a lot of "F" words - which I found surprising - just thought that Clarence would have made the book more family friendly (not that I was offended).
* Reo is a close friend of Clemons and a TV producer.
* Reo writes more about his own accomplishments and just heaps praise on Clarence and Bruce. He's seen many shows since 1975 and believes the 7/31/08 Giants Stadium and 8/30/08 Milwaukee (Harley Festival) shows were the best he's ever seen but acknowledges that every fan has their top 10 shows and many are different.
* Most of the book is focused on the Rising and Magic tours since Reo followed the band during these tours - it seems that Reo wrote the actual book with input from Clemons.
* Reo name drops throughout the book. Although he does make fun of himself for it by saying that "Elvis Presley once said he was a name dropper". :-)
* During a show at SING SING prison the power went out and Clarence and Vini Lopez had to play the same song (Them Changes by Buddy Miles) over and over on sax and drums while Bruce danced around on the side of the stage. Towards the end, Bruce says "When we're done, you can all go home!" :-)
* For the casual fan: An easy read (Fast and Light) - For hardcore fans, you just keep reading, anticipating and hoping for a personal story about Bruce and Clarence, etc. Note: Clemons does include compilations of conversations he and Bruce have had over the years to try and provide a feeling for their relationship - but they felt watered down.
* The photo on the back of the Wild, Innocent and the E Street Shuffle album was taken directly after the band went su
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.MariposaMS
Posted July 25, 2011
This book looks into the life of Clarence Clemons and the E Street Band without getting too personal. Great concerts, travel and fishing. The very book gives you an insight of the Big Man and his wonderful, free, loving spirit. May he rest in peace.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted December 14, 2009
This book did nothing to endear C to me whatsoever. I was a bigger fan before I read the book. There is precious little information about the E Street Band and Clarence's relationship with Springsteen except in the "legend" sections of the book which are admittedly tall tales. Clemons comes across as a prima donna and a racist. I was not impressed.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.MrZ
Posted December 10, 2009
The story of the Big Man is very entertaining because it is not a typical biography. It is a series of stories which read more like a conversation. Definitely not boring. It is a must read for all fans of The E Street Band.
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Posted December 7, 2009
If you like the E Street Band you must read CC's book. Some of the stories are really funny. Also gives some personal insight of the legend Bruuuuuuce.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.CGCT
Posted December 6, 2009
I found this book to be informational, as well as entertaining. Each chapter covers different stories from Clarence and Don's lives, as well as stories pertaining to Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. It's quick moving and easy to read. I found the book to be down to earth and enlighting. I enjoyed reading it a great deal and would look forward to another book.
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Posted June 20, 2011
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Posted December 9, 2009
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Overview
For the first time ever comes the inside story of Clarence "Big Man" Clemons--his life before, during and beyond the E-Street Band, including unbelievable, never-before-told adventures with Bruce Springsteen, the band, and an incredible cast of other famous characters recounted by himself and his best friend, television writer/ producer Don Reo.Here are just a few things you'll get from reading it: