Bruce Springsteen has paid tribute to his "great friend" Clarence Clemons after the legendary saxophonist died on Saturday at the age of 69.
The musician passed away from complications stemming from a major stroke he suffered earlier this month.
Clemons was a regular in Springsteen's E-Street Band and the rocker told fans of his "immeasurable" sadness after hearing the news.
He writes on his website, "He was my great friend, my partner. He loved the saxophone, loved our fans and gave everything he had every night he stepped on stage. His loss is immeasurable and we are honoured and thankful to have known him and had the opportunity to stand beside him for nearly forty years."
Following a successful solo career, Clemons became a hit thanks to his outlandish on-stage persona alongside Springsteen after joining his band in 1972
He also enjoyed involvement in hits such as You're a Friend of Mine with Jackson Browne and toured with Ringo Starr. He even tried his hand at acting, appearing in The Wire, Diff'rent Strokes and Bill And Ted's Excellent Adventure.
Clemons' last performance with the E-Street Band was in December and the star found a whole new fanbase after collaborating with Lady Gaga on her ‘The Edge Of Glory’ track from her recent record Born This Way.
U2 took a moment to remember Clemons during their show in Anaheim, California on Saturday night after learning he’d died just before they took to the stage.
Frontman Bono broke the sad news to fans before reading out the lyrics to Bruce Springsteen's ‘Jungleland’, which features a tribute to the legendary saxophonist, during a performance of ‘Moment Of Surrender’.
Bono told the audience, "I want you to think about a beautiful symphonic sound that came out of one man's saxophone. I want you to think about Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, of brothers. I want you to think of Clarence Clemons.
"This man just carried music, and music carried him until this day."
Guitar great Slash has also offered up a tribute to Clemons, who died on Saturday after suffering a stroke earlier this month.
The former Guns N' Roses star took to Twitter.com and wrote, "Clarence Clemons was one of the finest musicians/people in this business. He will be sorely missed. RIP... Great sidemen like Clarence Clemons don't get the full appreciation they deserve until they're gone."
WENN.com