Springsteen's "Santa Claus is Comin To Town"

I know by now you've probably heard this song a couple dozen times,but its one of those traditions and you'd miss it if never came on the radio anymore. Its more poignant now since we lost the "Big Man" earlier this year.  So it hurts a little to hear Bruce ask if Clarence's been "practicin'...Santa's gonna bring you a new saxophone" in the opening of the song.

The version of "Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town" that we hear on the radio was recorded at the December 12th 1975 concert at C. W. Post College.

Here's a few of the releases and the album cover artwork that has been used with the release of the single.  Lastly...its just a cool picture of Bruce in the winter sitting on an old Corvette.



Photo by: Frank Stefanko/HC


Here's a link to some black and white concert footage of Bruce and the E Street Band playing the song in 1978.

Mike Smith, The Showbiz Kids

Springsteen's "Santa Claus is Comin To Town"

I know by now you've probably heard this song a couple dozen times,but its one of those traditions and you'd miss it if never came on the radio anymore. Its more poignant now since we lost the "Big Man" earlier this year.  So it hurts a little to hear Bruce ask if Clarence's been "practicin'...Santa's gonna bring you a new saxophone" in the opening of the song.

The version of "Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town" that we hear on the radio was recorded at the December 12th 1975 concert at C. W. Post College.

Here's a few of the releases and the album cover artwork that has been used with the release of the single.  Lastly...its just a cool picture of Bruce in the winter sitting on an old Corvette.



Photo by: Frank Stefanko/HC


Here's a link to some black and white concert footage of Bruce and the E Street Band playing the song in 1978.

Mike Smith, The Showbiz Kids

Friendship, Rememberance and Lives- Springsteen's eulogy for Clarence'

We could all be so lucky to have a friendship, a marriage, a job...anything that lasts for 40 years.  All the good and bad that makes up a relationship between two humans was beautifully and intimately stated by Bruce Springsteen in his eulogy at the funeral for Clarence Clemons.  Any two people that know each other that well and lived a life of experiences like they did must mix the overwhelming sadness as equally as the adrenaline joys of life.

photo: Neal Preston

Please take one moment out of a million moments to read all of the eulogy.  Even if you aren't a Springsteen and the E Street Band fan, read the eulogy and just consider the importance of people's lives; their loves and losses and the unique chance blessing of close relationships.
Mike Smith-The ShowBiz Kids

Bruce Springsteen's eulogy for Clarence "The Big Man" Clemons

photo:Lynn Goldsmith 1978

Listen to...
Land of Hope and Dreams (Live at MSG June 2000)

Friendship, Rememberance and Lives- Springsteen's eulogy for Clarence'

We could all be so lucky to have a friendship, a marriage, a job...anything that lasts for 40 years.  All the good and bad that makes up a relationship between two humans was beautifully and intimately stated by Bruce Springsteen in his eulogy at the funeral for Clarence Clemons.  Any two people that know each other that well and lived a life of experiences like they did must mix the overwhelming sadness as equally as the adrenaline joys of life.

photo: Neal Preston

Please take one moment out of a million moments to read all of the eulogy.  Even if you aren't a Springsteen and the E Street Band fan, read the eulogy and just consider the importance of people's lives; their loves and losses and the unique chance blessing of close relationships.
Mike Smith-The ShowBiz Kids

Bruce Springsteen's eulogy for Clarence "The Big Man" Clemons

photo:Lynn Goldsmith 1978

Listen to...
Land of Hope and Dreams (Live at MSG June 2000)

Tributes to Clarence Clemons

photo by Danny Clinch

Private Clarence Clemons memorial features Bruce Springsteen, Jackson Browne, other E Streeters’ tributes


Eddie Vedder's NYC Gig Wows With Neil Finn Duets, Clarence Clemons Tribute


Phish: Father’s Day, A Clarence Clemons Tribute and "Harpua"

U2 salute to E Street Band's Clarence Clemons in Anaheim

Grieving, From Asbury Park

New Jersey to honor Springsteen sideman Clarence Clemons

Bruce Springsteen gives the 'Big Man' a memorable send-off at funeral of Clarence Clemons

Tributes to Clarence Clemons

photo by Danny Clinch

Private Clarence Clemons memorial features Bruce Springsteen, Jackson Browne, other E Streeters’ tributes


Eddie Vedder's NYC Gig Wows With Neil Finn Duets, Clarence Clemons Tribute


Phish: Father’s Day, A Clarence Clemons Tribute and "Harpua"

U2 salute to E Street Band's Clarence Clemons in Anaheim

Grieving, From Asbury Park

New Jersey to honor Springsteen sideman Clarence Clemons

Bruce Springsteen gives the 'Big Man' a memorable send-off at funeral of Clarence Clemons

"And The Big Man Joined the Band"

Strong Nor'easterly winds, a small rock n'roll club, the magic of Asbury Park and our good fortune brought Clarence Clemons and Bruce Springsteen together many years ago. Unfortunately on Saturday Springsteen's fateful friend of forty years passed away.

Thankfully one of my best friends introduced me to Springsteen's deeper catalog of music several years ago and we actually got to see The E Street Band during The Rising tour in Atlanta.  I hate to say for too long my Springsteen roots didn't go any deeper than Born in The USA.  My roots would have stopped growing if I'd never heard the Big Man's saxophone sounds on "Promised Land","Spirit In The Night" and of course "Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out".

I've come a long way since then and as I sit here tonight listening to Dave Marsh's tribute to Clarence Clemons on Sirius satellite radio, I'm staring at the cover of my vinyl version of Born To Run.  This is one of my favorite rock and roll photographs much less one of the greatest album covers of all time.  I love Bruce's expression and how you can see him leaning on Clarence.  You just know how much they depended on each other and how close they were as friends and bandmates.

The songs that we love from musicians become a part of us and in turn we sometimes feel close to the musicians them selves even though we've never met.  Its a powerful thing when someone like Clarence Clemons dies and it affects people so strongly that haven't even met him.  I think that is a testimony to the power of music and I think that would make the Big Man very happy.


I cant imagine how it would be even possible for Bruce to go onstage in the future and look to his right and not see Clarence.  My thoughts go to The E Street Band family and the family of Clarence Clemons.  These are all my thoughts but I'd like to end here with a statement from the Big Man's best friend.

Bruce Springsteen said of Clarence: 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. His loss is immeasurable and we are honored and thankful to have known him and had the opportunity to stand beside him for nearly forty years. He was my great friend, my partner, and with Clarence at my side, my band and I were able to tell a story far deeper than those simply contained in our music. His life, his memory, and his love will live on in that story and in our band.

Clarence Clemons

January 11, 1942-June 18, 2011


























Mike Smith-The ShowBiz Kids

"And The Big Man Joined the Band"

Strong Nor'easterly winds, a small rock n'roll club, the magic of Asbury Park and our good fortune brought Clarence Clemons and Bruce Springsteen together many years ago. Unfortunately on Saturday Springsteen's fateful friend of forty years passed away.

Thankfully one of my best friends introduced me to Springsteen's deeper catalog of music several years ago and we actually got to see The E Street Band during The Rising tour in Atlanta.  I hate to say for too long my Springsteen roots didn't go any deeper than Born in The USA.  My roots would have stopped growing if I'd never heard the Big Man's saxophone sounds on "Promised Land","Spirit In The Night" and of course "Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out".

I've come a long way since then and as I sit here tonight listening to Dave Marsh's tribute to Clarence Clemons on Sirius satellite radio, I'm staring at the cover of my vinyl version of Born To Run.  This is one of my favorite rock and roll photographs much less one of the greatest album covers of all time.  I love Bruce's expression and how you can see him leaning on Clarence.  You just know how much they depended on each other and how close they were as friends and bandmates.

The songs that we love from musicians become a part of us and in turn we sometimes feel close to the musicians them selves even though we've never met.  Its a powerful thing when someone like Clarence Clemons dies and it affects people so strongly that haven't even met him.  I think that is a testimony to the power of music and I think that would make the Big Man very happy.


I cant imagine how it would be even possible for Bruce to go onstage in the future and look to his right and not see Clarence.  My thoughts go to The E Street Band family and the family of Clarence Clemons.  These are all my thoughts but I'd like to end here with a statement from the Big Man's best friend.

Bruce Springsteen said of Clarence: 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. His loss is immeasurable and we are honored and thankful to have known him and had the opportunity to stand beside him for nearly forty years. He was my great friend, my partner, and with Clarence at my side, my band and I were able to tell a story far deeper than those simply contained in our music. His life, his memory, and his love will live on in that story and in our band.

Clarence Clemons

January 11, 1942-June 18, 2011


























Mike Smith-The ShowBiz Kids