Last night, Clarence Clemons joined Heaven’s All Star Band.

His old pal Danny Federici was at the Gates, welcoming him, and guiding him to the Lounge, where the whole Band was rearranging itself to make room, right at the front of the stage, for the Big Man and his magic sax. Undoubtedly the night was filled with sweet, sweet music.

Back here on Earth, the E Street Band has lost its soul. Charles has subbed ably for Danny up on the riser, but who can replace the Big Man? Will Jungleland ever sound the same? Should it? Or do we just put a frame around the whole catalog, put it up on the wall, and simply say “That’s the best it’s ever going to be”? 

The Beatles are pop music’s yardstick, but they separated way too soon, and except for those lucky few in Liverpool and Hamburg, most of us never got to see their amazing gifts in a live performance. We have the records, and the Sullivan Show clips, but they were, first and foremost, a transcendent live band that most of us never got to witness.

The E Street Band is different – they went thru the craziness, cooled their heels for a while, then came back together as mature, outstanding musicians, and in live show after live show, demonstrated to the world the power and passion of popular music. Night after night, in arenas all over the world, they played their hearts out and their asses off. If you saw them, you know what I mean. If you didn’t, get a video and see what you missed. 

For better or worse, the E Street Band is now a brand, and Bruce is a savy businessman. We have to have faith that when we next see them on stage, he will have figured out how to move on without his Big Man. But we can only guess at how difficult it will be for him, after almost 40 years, to look to his right, and not see the King of the World standing there, larger than life, with his saxophone, as the piano slowly and melodically starts us on the now-familiar story of the Rangers, and their homecoming in Harlem late last night . . .

It’s a beautiful summer Father’s Day here in the Colonies. Dad, I miss you more than words can say. Pop, I miss you too. Trev and Jo, thank you for the unbelievable privilege of being your father. Your mom and I could not be prouder of who you have become.