Celluloid Heroes is sad to report that Clarence Clemons, saxophonist for Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band, died today of complications from a stroke. A towering figure with a personality and a lust for life to match, Clarence’s role in Springsteen’s success and enduring legacy cannot be overestimated. “Jungleland” will never sound quite the same.
And yes, dear readers, there is a movie connection. The Big Man appeared in Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure as one of the Three Most Important People in the World. How’s that for typecasting?
So, in honor of his memory, all I ask is that from the coastline to the city, all the little pretties raise your hands…
, they had the good sense not to saddle the lads with anything that closely resembled a plot. Their 1965 follow-up is similarly devoid of a storyline but saddled with the unnecessary appearance of having a plot. The alleged narrative ends up accomplishing nothing but diverting attention away from the music and scenes of the Beatles doing what they did best: being the Beatles. There are a few moments in which the four boys get the chance to cut loose and in those scenes, Help! does manage to come to life. Alas, there are not enough of those.
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