My good friend Mark McEwen called me late Saturday evening to let me know that the Big Man had passed away. This is an especially tough one for me as working for the Columbia Records label since 1969 (‘till 2003) I was so close to Bruce and the E Street band for so many years–most notably in the beginning.

Clarence was such a bigger than life character to us all. His importance to Bruce and the overall sound of the E Street experience was crystallized by the album cover of “Born To Run,” which features Bruce leaning up against the Big Man for support and that secret power.

I have so many fond memories.

I remember taking my son Adam when he was about 6 years old to see Bruce and the E Street Band at Madison Square Garden. But Adam was so young all he could do was stay for the rehearsal of the show. Lucky for him Bruce did verrrrry loooooooong sound checks in those days and they were great to watch–very much like the show itself.
Anyway, Adam sees the power and the glory of Bruce and the E Street, goes back stage and meets all the guys, gets everyone to autograph his T-shirt, gets a pair of drum sticks from the Mighty Max, and decides he wants to hang with the Big Man for a while. I think Adam viewed him as some big Disney movie character or something like that!
Anyway, when we finally leave, after all those experiences, I ask him for his favorite part of the afternoon. I’m thinkin’ Bruce, of course, or Max’s drum sticks, etc., etc. He looks up at me and says, “Dad, I love Clarence’s big round brown belly!” Haha—precious.

I was on the road with the band during the west coast swing of one of the early tours and they were just starting to make some decent money. Every day for a whole week, all Clarence wore was a Mercedes mechanics jump suit. Finally after 7 days, I asked the Big Man how long he was gonna wear that Mercedes jump suit. He looked at me and said, “Rap, I’m gonna wear it until somebody around here gets the idea!!” Hahahaha. What a character.

A lot of people know that Clarence played a bit of football. But not so many people know that he also surfed! Bruce too—the Jersey shore of course. Bruce once exclaimed to me, “Can you imagine seeing the Big Man on a surfboard?!!” I figure he must of looked like Buffalo Keaulana or one of those big Hawaiian guys standing tall on the board with his arms crossed—everyone getting out of his way!

I feel sad, but I feel happy that the Big Man had such a Big life and that every single time he played a solo, the crowd cheered and got a big smile on their faces! I don’t know any other musician who can boast that kind of response.

God bless the Big Man.

Rap~