Posted by Andrew Unterberger on 06/13/2011 at 10:25 AM News

The Popdust Files: bruce springsteen, Clarence Clemons, health, lady gaga

Legendary rock saxophonist Clarence Clemons suffered a stroke at his home in Florida last night, a close source confirmed to the AP. Details on Clemons’ health, including the severity of the stroke, are still unknown, though Showbiz 411 has reported his condition as being “very serious.” Clemons is 69 years old, and recently had to have both knees surgically replaced and underwent spinal fusion surgery.

Clemons is most well-known to rock fans for his near-40 years of service as a member of Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band, though he’s come back into the spotlight recently through his work with a much more unexpected collaborator—Lady Gaga, whose excellent Born This Way cuts “Edge of Glory” and “Hair’ both feature Clarence’s trademark wailing sax. Clemons even appeared with Gaga on a recent American Idol performance of “Edge,” during the show’s Tenth Season finale.

“As long as my mouth, hands and brain still work I’ll be out there doing it,” saxophonist Clarence Clemons recently told Rolling Stone about touring with the E Street Band. “I’m going to keep going ’til I’m not there anymore.” We’re pulling for that point still being a long, long ways away for the Big Man.

[MTV]