Friedman notes that Clemons has had health problems in the past, including having both knees replaced, but “this situation, as described to me this evening, sounds pretty dire. I am told that members of the E Street Band were advised to get down to Florida as soon as possible.”
Clemons last performed with Springsteen and the E Street Band in December of 2010 at Asbury Park’s Carousel House for a special web broadcast taping.
He can be heard on two songs on Lady Gaga’s new album Born This Way, and played on stage with her last month during the American Idol season finale.
Outside of his work with the E Street Band, Clemons has recorded with many other artists and has had a number of musical projects on his own.
The best known of these are his 1985 vocal duet with Jackson Browne on the hit single “You’re a Friend of Mine”, and his saxophone work on Aretha Franklin‘s 1985 hit single “Freeway of Love”.
Aretha Franklin is battling cancer, a family friend has announced to FOX 2 News in Detroit.
According to the report, family and friends close to the Queen of Soul are “very concerned,” but say she is doing “okay.” Family expressed hopes to FOX that fans of Aretha, 68, will send prayers and good thoughts.
In a post at PopCrunch, a National Enquirer story (not available online) is cited saying Franklin’s cancer is pancreatic. The same report notes sources saying Aretha has less than a year to live.
“Though the Enquirer is known for its often-outlandish take on unbiased journalism,” PopCrunch writes, “it should be noted that the publication was the first in the world to report Patrick Swayze and Michael Landon’s battles with pancreatic cancer, a disease that has a less than 10 percent survival rate and ultimately killed both actors. They also blew the lid off Christina Applegate’s breast cancer scare in 2008.”
FOX 2 in Detroit was unable to confirm the specific type of cancer. Franklin underwent a “highly successful” surgery last week, though the cause was not revealed.
“God is still in control,” Aretha’s post-surgery statement read. “I had superb doctors and nurses whom were blessed by all the prayers of the city and the country.”
News of Franklin’s unspecified operation came a month after she announced the cancellation of all concert dates and personal appearances through May on the order of her doctors. That announcement came after Franklin’s brief visit to a Detroit hospital — no details were given about her condition at the time.
It’s been a difficult several months for Franklin; her adult son, Eddie, was beaten by three men at a Detroit gas station in September. A month earlier, she broke ribs in a fall, causing her to miss two free concerts in New York.
Aretha Franklin, born in Memphis and raised in Detroit, is the singer of hits like ‘Respect,’ ‘Chain of Fools,’ and ‘(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman.’
Eddie Franklin, the son of music legend Aretha Franklin, is undergoing surgery after being severely beaten Monday night at a gas station in Detroit, a spokeswoman for the Queen of Soul told the AP.
The statement says three people may have been involved in the beating but didn’t have any additional information beyond the statement.
According to ABC 7 in Detroit, a witness says three suspects, two males and one female may have been responsible for the attack. The witness describes one of the males to be about six feet tall, with dreadlocks and dark skin complexion. The young woman was described as about 19 years old, with short hair.
Detroit Police said they were looking into the matter but had no other information.
Franklin is one of the most honored musicians in American history, having won numerous Grammys; the National Medal of Arts; the Presidential Medal of Freedom and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
