Springsteen: Clemons' Stroke Was 'Serious'

Clarence Clemons, the Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band saxophonist with longtime ties to Mill Valley, has had a host of health issues in recent years, from spinal surgery in January 2010 to double knee replacement surgery in 2008.

But those setbacks pale in comparison to the battle currently facing Clemons, who had a stroke on Sunday that Springsteen called “serious” in a message posted to his website and social media sites today.

“By now, many of you have heard that our beloved comrade and sax player Clarence Clemons has suffered a serious stroke,” Springsteen wrote. “While all initial signs are encouraging, Clarence will need much care and support to achieve his potential once again. He has his wonderfully supportive wife, Victoria, excellent doctors and health care professionals, and is surrounded by friends and family.”

“I thank you all for your prayers and positive energy and concern,” Springsteen continued. “This is a time for us all to share in a hopeful spirit that can ultimately inspire Clarence to greater heights.”

Clemons suffered a stroke at his home in Florida on Sunday and reportedly underwent two brain surgeries at a Florida hospital following the stroke. He is "currently responsive and in stable condition, though still in a fight for his life,” according to Springsteen fan site Backstreets.

Clemons, who moved to Marin in the late 1980s but relocated to Florida when Springsteen re-formed the E Street band in 1999, has longtime ties to Mill Valley. He has lived here for short stints on multiple occasions over the years and as recently as last October, when he rented a condo in town while he worked with a physical therapist in the wake of his spinal surgery.

Clemons performed several times at the during that time, rejoining his former bandmates and Mill Valley stalwarts, keyboardist Austin de Lone and singer-guitarist Jimmy Dillon. The group billed themselves as Clarence Clemons and the Temple of Soul West.

Clemons' family also thanked fans on Springsteen's site and urged fans to email their well wishes to notestoclarence(at)clarenceclemons.com.