Clarence Clemons' death spotlights sax's rock role

The death over the weekend of Clarence Clemons, 69, saxophone player and founding member of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band, prompts some reflection upon the role of the sax in pop/rock music.The sax was always a wicked woodwind. A stalwart of the late '40s/early '50s jump blues sound, its raucous sound supplanted the piano in the 1950s as one of the most important instruments in early rock and roll. There would be three saxophones on many King and Atlantic Records sessions of the 1950s.In the 1960s, increasingly, the sax took a back seat to the guitar, although it was often used in '70s rock to inject a soulful note or a throwback feel, and anchoring a song with a reminder of rock's blues and jazz roots.Here are some notable sax moments in pop history:" Honky Tonk" by Bill Doggett (1956). Walking bass, Hammond B3, jazzy guitar and a wailing sax that takes the melody — what more do you need?"Yakety Yak" by the Coasters (1958). The saxophone chatters and laughs, the perfect instrument for the Coasters' comic songs.



"Tequila" by the Champs (1958). The saxophone player gets the melody and is really the whole story here."Harlem Nocturne" by the Viscounts (1960 ) . This song had its genesis in the big band era, but the rocking Viscounts took it to the top of the charts with that big, smoky, walk-on-the-wild-side saxophone solo."Poor Boy" by the Royaltones (1958). Two saxes almost obliterate the poor guitarist on this national hit out of Detroit. George Katsakis demonstrates his "laughing sax" technique."Shotgun" by Jr. Walker & The Allstars (1965). Any of Walker's Motown hits are worthwhile, but his playing is properly explosive here."Can't You Hear Me Knocking" by the Rolling Stones (1971). Stones sideman (and Keith Richards' running buddy) Bobby Keys rules with this jazzy solo."Walk on the Wild Side" by Lou Reed (1972). Right after the female backup singers' "Doo doo doo" chorus comes a brief but memorable Sonny Rollins solo."Turn the Page " by Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band (1973). Seger wanted a moody, late-night sax solo on this road-weary lamentation, and Alto Reed delivered a stellar, mournful solo here."Jungleland" by Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band (1975). Clemons' lengthy solo reflects Springsteen's emotional vocal and resolves everything for a calmer, more resigned coda."Just the Way You Are" by Billy Joel (1977). The sax solo on the rideout (ending) is worth the price of admission."Baker Street" by Gerry Rafferty (1978). The saxophone makes a brief comeback in the 1970s, the solo here imbuing the song with more soul than the laid-back vocal." Freeway of Love" by Aretha Franklin (1985). Festive, but when the saxophone checks in, it kicks into overdrive."The Edge of Glory," Lady Gaga (featuring Clarence Clemons ) (2011). Clemons' distinctive, plaintive honk adds texture to Gaga's latest, although he is not much more than a shadowy figure in the inevitable Gagaesque video.

(via The Detroit News)