- Music
- 05 Jul 13
The newest member of the E Street Band speaks about filling his late uncle's boots..
"We spent a lot of time together that fall, Bruce and I," says Jake of filling in for his uncle Clarence, after he tragically passed away two years ago. "We had a lot of conversations about it. We handled it very sensitively. He wanted to make sure I was mentally prepared for what was ahead. It was much about protecting me as it was protecting the E Street Band from somebody new coming in and messing things up."
Jake also reflects on the eureka moment when he realised he wanted to follow in the footsteps of his legendary uncle.
"I saw my first E Street Band show in 1998. I knew he [Clarence] was traveling a lot, but why exactly didn't register until I saw him up there blowing up a storm on the saxophone. I was like, 'Wow, I want to do that when I grow up!'
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To read more of our interview with Jake Clemons on Glen Hansard and performing with Sir Paul McCartney see the current issue of Hot Press which is available now!