Three big shows will remember the Big Man on his birthday week.
The life and legacy of the Clarence Clemons, who was born Jan. 11, 1942, will be celebrated Wednesday, Jan. 11, at a Light of Day Winterfest show headlined by youngest son Jarod Clemons at the City Winery in New York City.
A Clarence Clemons Celebration, featuring the original members of Clemons’ side group, the Red Bank Rockers, also will take place on Wednesday at the 10 PRL event space in Long Branch.
On Friday, Jan. 13, the Clemons-inspired Big Man’s Bash returns after a virtual hiatus at the Chubby Pickle in Highlands. The Nick Clemons Band, featuring Clemons’ eldest son, will play, as will the PBR Street Gang, Band of Strays, Killer Joe, Mike Rocket, Jo Wymer, Tommy Byrne and many more.
“After a three-year hiatus because of COVID, it’s good to be back in the community where our Big Man’s Bash will be held live,” said Nick Clemons, adding that the Monmouth County Boys and Girls Club will be the beneficiary of the show. “This area is a community my father was very much a part of and he loved spending time there. Part of my father’s legacy was his ability to give great advice and show empathy for people, which is why we chose the Monmouth County Boys and Girls Club.”
Nick Clemons recently released a series of avant-garde rock songs. Visit soundcloud.com/nickclemonsband for more info. Jarod Clemons and the Late Nights just dropped “Sinkin,” a midtempo waltz rocker. Visit linktr.ee/jcandthelatenights for more info.
More:Springsteen shares final moments with Clarence Clemons and more on Howard Stern show
Clarence Clemons, saxophonist for Bruce Springsteen the E Street Band, died June 18, 2011, in Florida from complications of a stroke he suffered six days earlier. He was 69.
Clemons’ birthday, Jan. 11, is now a state holiday in New Jersey. The resolution proclaiming Jan. 11 is Clarence Clemons Day was sponsored by former state Sen. Jennifer Beck, R-Monmouth, and signed by Gov. Chris Christie in 2014. It reads: “Whereas, during the E Street Band’s legendary live concerts, Clarence Clemons’ saxophone solos were highly anticipated and he was always introduced last in the band introductions, to the delight of the concertgoers who greeted his every move with roars of approval.”
Clemons’ life was recollected on several major platforms in 2022, including the Howard Stern Show, where Springsteen remembered his final moments with him, and MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, where Lady Gaga paid tribute to the Big Man.
“Clarence played on this record, and Clarence passed on the same day the music video for this song came out when I was dancing on my New York street,” said Gaga of “Edge of Glory.” “Living my damn dream. All I wanted to do was shoot a music video with (blanking) Clarence Clemons.”
More:Lady Gaga pays tribute to Springsteen, Clarence Clemons at Metlife Stadium show
Clarence Clemons Day
Go: Light of Day Winterfest Clarence Clemons Birthday Tribute with Jarod Clemons and the Late Nights, Glenn Alexander and Shadowland, Joe D’Urso and Stone Caravan, Jeffrey Gaines and Jeff Slate with Band, 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 11, City Winery Loft, 25 11th Ave., New York City. $25 to $45; citywinery.com/newyork.
Go: Clarence Clemons Celebration with the Red Bank Rockers, and Jeff Levine and Friends, 7 p.m. Wednesday, 10 PRL, 515 Bath Ave, Long Branch, $25; eventbrite.com.
Go: Big Man’s Bash with Nick Clemons Band, PBR Street Gang, Band of Strays, Killer Joe, Mike Rocket, Jo Wymer, Tommy Byrne and more, 2 p.m. to 2 a.m. Friday, Jan 13, Chubby Pickle, 23 Bay Ave., Highlands, $10 donation to Monmouth County Boys and Girls Club; thechubbypicklenj.com.
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Chris Jordan, a Jersey Shore native, covers entertainment and features for the USA Today Network New Jersey. Contact him at @chrisfhjordan; [email protected].
