U2, Coldplay, Slash pay tribute to Clarence Clemons

Chuck D, Bryan Adams and The Joy Formidable also honour Bruce Springsteen's saxophone player

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Photo: PA

A host of musicians have paid tribute to E Street Band saxophone player Clarence Clemons, who died yesterday (June 18).

The longtime Bruce Springsteen collaborator had been in hospital since suffering a stroke at his Florida home last weekend (June 11-12) and died of complications relating to the illness.

U2 honoured Clemons during their gig at Anaheim's Angel Stadium last night, with Bono speaking about the musician before the band played 'Moment Of Surrender' during their encore.

"I want you to think about Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. I want you to think of Clarence Clemons. This man has carried music, and music carried him until this day," the frontman said. You can view fan footage of the shout out by scrolling down and clicking below.

Coldplay called Clemons their "favourite saxophone player" in a brief statement on their website, Coldplay.com, where they also posted a YouTube clip of Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band track 'Jungleland'.

Numerous musicians also took to Twitter to pay their respects, including Bryan Adams - who described Clemons as "one of the greatest rock sax players" and Public Enemy man Chuck D, who tweeted: "RIP Big Clarence".

Slash tweeted that Clemons "was one of the finest musicians/people in this business", while The Joy Formidable and The Fray also paid tribute on the micro-blogging site.

Shortly after news broke of Clemons' death earlier today, Springsteen posted a blog on his official site, BruceSpringsteen.net, paying tribute to his "great friend".

"Clarence lived a wonderful life. He carried within him a love of people that made them love him. He created a wondrous and extended family. He loved the saxophone, loved our fans and gave everything he had every night he stepped on stage," the singer said.

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