LOS ANGELES: Clarence Clemons, the burly saxophone player who played a crucial role in shaping Bruce Springsteen's early sound, died Saturday, six days after suffering a stroke at his Florida home. He was 69. “It is with overwhelming sadness that we inform our friends and fans that our beloved bandmate, Clarence Clemons passed away,” Springsteen said on his website, adding the cause was complications from Clemons' stroke. “His loss is immeasurable and we are honored and thankful to have known him and had the opportunity to stand beside him for nearly forty years,” Springsteen added. Clemons, dubbed the “Big Man,” started working with Springsteen in 1971 and was a charter member of the backing group that came to be known as the E Street Band.