Latest news with #Clemons
New York Post
03-08-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Bruce Springsteen almost drove his band to quit while making ‘Born to Run'
The infamous sax solo Clarence Clemons plays on Bruce Springsteen's rock classic 'Born To Run' is so vibrant and exhilarating that it seems like a moment of pure inspiration on Clemons' part. In truth, as Peter Ames Carlin lays out in his new book, 'Tonight in Jungleland: The Making of Born To Run,' (Doubleday, August 5), it was the exact opposite. I came together note by meticulous note in a studio session that set new records for frustration. 7 'Born To Run' features an iconic Clarence Clemons sax solo that was crafted by Bruce Springsteen singing — and changing — it note by note to Clemons. Advertisement Springsteen's songwriting mastery was developed through an obsessive process that found him toiling over ideas, lyrics, and concepts virtually non-stop. 'If you saw Bruce offstage, at home, or on the road in 1973 or 1974, you wouldn't have to look very far to find his songwriting notebook,' Carlin writes. 'He usually kept it within reach and always had a song, or more likely several songs, working at the same time.' The 1975 album 'Born to Run,' Springsteen's third, came to life over many months of tortured labor by Springsteen, a perfectionist whose process at the time could best be described as demented exhaustion. Advertisement To arrive at the familiar version of the title track, Springsteen tried just about every musical idea he had ever heard, played, or thought about including a string section, women singers backing up the chorus, and even a disco portion. For the song's infamous sax solo, Springsteen worked with Clemons by singing his vision for the solo note by note, having Clemons play it, then changing one note, having Clemons play it again, and so on. This went on for hours, throughout the night. 'He spent ages working on it with Clemons, eight, ten, maybe twelve hours, playing the same notes over and over again, Bruce looking for a slightly different feel, a slightly different tone, a tiny adjustment to the rhythm of this passage, this pair of notes, this portion of that note,' writes Carlin. Springsteen's obsession with the details in the music, however, was nothing compared to how he labored over the song's lyrics, constantly re-writing, seeking a different tone, a new phrase, anything that would help him make 'Born To Run' as great as he knew it could be. Advertisement 7 Bruce Springsteen's perfectionism sent his band (above) storming out of the studio as he threatened to scrap 'Born To Run.' Instead it was released and made rock history. Photograph by Barry Schneier 'Sometimes he'd be in the midst of a take, sing a few lines of a verse, shake it off, then take his notebook to a folding chair,' Carlin writes. 'He'd find a pen, open the book, look at the page, and just…think. He'd be there for a while. An hour, two hours, maybe more.' That time proved to be worth it, because the song was improving dramatically as it went. Springsteen's longtime fans would hardly recognize the early versions of the song. At one point, it sounded like a musical salute to 'Mad Max.' Advertisement 'A song that had started as a nearly surrealistic portrait of a world gone mad — racers run down by their own cars, the highway buckling beneath their mag wheels, the thrill-kill junkies gunning down soldiers 'just for the noise/Not even for the kicks' — had been remade into a vibrant highway saga that, while heavily symbolic, could be recognized as existing on the modern Jersey Shore,' Carlin writes. 7 Both Newsweek (above) and Time put Bruce Springsteen on their covers after the album dropped. Given all this, the album's recording process almost crumbled under the weight of Springsteen's relentless perfectionism. Stephen Appel, Springsteen's road manager at the time, describes a scene of pure chaos. 'You're working and it sounds great and so you start to think you have it right, but Bruce says, 'Nope, it's s–t,'' says Appel in the book. 'And then you work for hours to change it. And then that's done, and Bruce says, 'You know what? Maybe it was better before, because now this sounds like s**t.' And you would do that for ten to fifteen hours a day.' When the album was finally complete, it was played for executives at Columbia, including Walter Yetnikoff, who had just been placed in charge of all of CBS' record labels. (Columbia was owned by CBS at the time.) 7 The record's reception blew everyone away. After he heard the entire album, Yetnikoff was asked what he thought and replied, 'It's like f—ing.' Advertisement Despite this rave review, when Springsteen the perfectionist heard the album's final mix for the first time, he had a very different reaction. As the music played, Springsteen started adding self-deprecating commentary. 'Oh, well, if I'm going to sing something I guess I should oversing it, that's great,' Springsteen said. 'Oh, and here comes the saxophone, that's gotta be a Bruce Springsteen record, nothing clichéd about that.' 7 'Born To Run' was born at a rented bungalow (above) on West End Court in Long Branch, NJ, where The Boss still visits today. LoC Advertisement When the record was done playing, Springsteen said, 'I dunno, man, maybe we should just scrap it. Toss this s–t and start over.' Hearing that, Clemons, known as 'The Big Man' at a towering 6'5', stood up and walked out of the room without saying a word. Every member of the band and crew followed. Of course, the record was not scrapped. Given that Springsteen's first two albums had not sold well, Columbia executives ordered 100,000 copies printed — a number that, at the time, indicated the label had low expectations — and were shocked when pre-orders hit three times that. 7 Despite his initial misgivings, Springsteen says he's 'very, very fond' of the album. Redferns Advertisement The album became a #1 hit, and would dominate American rock radio for decades to come. Both Time and Newsweek, two of the biggest magazines in the country at a time when that meant something, put him on the cover in the same week. Interviewing Springsteen in 2024, Carlin found, unsurprisingly, that his view of the album had changed. 'I'm very, very fond of it,' Springsteen, now 75 years old, says in the book. 'And on its anniversaries, I get in a car and I play it from start to finish, right? I just drive around listening.' Advertisement 7 A new book gives an authorized look at the album's recording. On these jaunts, Springsteen makes sure he ends up on West End Court in Long Branch, New Jersey, just outside the rented bungalow where he first put thoughts for the song to paper. 'I get there right before the end, right before [the album's last song] 'Jungleland,'' says Springsteen. 'And I park there. I sit by the curb and I let 'Jungleland' play, all the way through.'
USA Today
02-08-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Jets DC Steve Wilks heaps DE Micheal Clemons with praise
The New York Jets entered training camp searching for depth at EDGE. Third-year pro Will McDonald IV is the most reliable outside linebacker on the roster. With Jermaine Johnson II still on the PUP (Physically Unable to Perform) list, the Jets need players like Micheal Clemons to be productive. A 2022 fourth-round pick, Clemons is entering his fourth training camp with the Jets. He's seen an increased amount of reps due to Johnson's absence from the practice field. Defensive coordinator Steve Wilks has been impressed with Clemons' form, recently claiming he's having an "outstanding camp," per Brian Costello. Clemons appeared in all 17 regular-season contests for the Jets last year. The former Texas A&M standout was a rotational defender, playing a healthy 625 snaps due to injuries elsewhere. Clemons recorded a career-high 4.5 sacks as a result, and he's looking to carry that momentum over to 2025. Clemons had 23 total pressures and a pass-rushing grade of 55.2, per Pro Football Focus. The Jets finished tied for 11th in the NFL in sacks with 43 quarterback takedowns. Clemons made his contributions to that success. New Jets head coach Aaron Glenn is a defensive-minded leader. Coach Wilks is his DC. Both of them have been impressed with Clemons, who is enjoying an "outstanding" training camp while entering a fate-deciding contract year.
New York Post
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Homeowners shocked by neighbor's handwritten note after painting their house a bizarre color: ‘I cried'
In a small Michigan neighborhood, a simple splash of paint sparked something far bigger than curb appeal — it stirred hearts and kindled human connection. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Maureen Clemons and her husband, Mike Peck, wanted to brighten their lives, so they picked up their paint brushes and covered their house in a coat of lavender stain. 5 Maureen Clemons and her husband, Mike Peck, picked up their paint brushes and covered their house in a coat of lavender stain — they never imagined the impact it would have on their neighbors. Instagram/moreangrim 'We wanted something to distract ourselves and make us happy,' Clemons, 35, told Newsweek. 'We picked purple because it felt bright and joyful.' The creative couple, both 35, thought a 'cute cottage vibe' would lift their spirits during the dark times — they didn't think how it would affect others. As the couple painted, neighbors walked by, offering waves, smiles, and even cheers. 'A couple biking by started chanting 'Go purple! Go lavender!'' Clemons recalled. 'Someone even stopped to tell us how happy the color made her — it brightened her day.' But the most touching moment came in December, when a mysterious neighbor named Chris dropped a surprise into their mailbox: a worn copy of the children's book 'Mr. Pine's Purple House' by Leonard Kessler, along with a heartfelt handwritten note. 5 'A couple biking by started chanting 'Go purple! Go lavender!'' Clemons recalled. 'Someone even stopped to tell us how happy the color made her — it brightened her day.' Instagram/moreangrim 'Hi, a while ago I was walking by your house when you were painting. It reminded me of one of my favorite books from childhood, that celebrates individuality,' the note reads. 'I could not remember the exact name, but after some searching I was able to find it. I hope you enjoy the story.' 'Hopefully you won't mind that it's well read.' 5 The most touching moment came in December, when a mysterious neighbor named Chris dropped his favorite childhood book into their mailbox. TikTok/moreangrim 5 'Hi, a while ago I was walking by your house when you were painting. It reminded me of one of my favorite books from childhood, that celebrates individuality,' the note reads. TikTok/moreangrim The couple 'were overwhelmed' by the sweet gesture. Sadly, they never learned who Chris was. But his sweet note and the memory of the impact their will be with them forever — literally. Clemons got a tattoo of their beloved purple home on her leg, inked by a local artist in Ferndale who, in a twist of fate, had unknowingly taken a photo of the house months earlier. 5 The couple 'were overwhelmed' by their neighbor's sweet gesture. When Clemons shared the story via a TikTok video on her account @moreangrim, the response was immediate and emotional. 'Sobbing,' a person commented. 'You never know your impact. I'm so glad they shared this,' another said. 'This is the type of whimsy I want to see every day in our world,' someone else wrote. Clemons captioned the video: 'Sometimes humans are so cute.'
Newsweek
28-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Woman Paints House, Not Prepared for Letter Neighbor Sends: 'I Cried'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. When a Michigan couple decided to paint their house purple they didn't expect the decision to spark joy much further than their front yard. Maureen Clemons and her husband Mike Peck transformed their house into a lavender cottage, and in a post on TikTok with 2.2 million views, Clemons shared the unexpected impact it has had. "We wanted something to distract ourselves and make us happy," Clemons, 35, told Newsweek. "We picked purple because it felt bright and joyful, and we were going for a cute cottage vibe." The couple began painting during the COVID pandemic, where the price of a home in Michigan was $178,889 at the start of 2020, jumping to a current average of $260,040, according to Zillow. A picture of the purple house, left, and the note from the neighbor Chris, right. A picture of the purple house, left, and the note from the neighbor Chris, right. @moreangrim/TikTok Over the course of a week, as the couple painted, neighbors strolled past offering waves, smiles, and spontaneous encouragement. "A couple biking by started chanting 'Go purple! Go lavender!'" Clemons recalled. "Someone even stopped to tell us how happy the color made her—it brightened her day." But the most unforgettable reaction came in December this year when they received an unexpected note and gift from a neighbor. One day, a worn copy of a children's book titled Mr. Pine's Purple House by Leonard Kessler appeared through their letterbox, accompanied by a handwritten note: "It reminded me of one of my favorite books from childhood that celebrates individuality... I hope you enjoy the story, hopefully you won't mind that it's well read," it said. A picture of the purple house book, left, and the tattoo, right. A picture of the purple house book, left, and the tattoo, right. @moreangrim/TikTok The anonymous gift, signed simply "your neighbor, Chris," left Clemons and Peck deeply moved. "We were overwhelmed," Clemons said. "We never figured out who Chris was." The gift was so powerful that Clemons decided to carry it with her forever—literally. She got a tattoo of their purple house on her leg, a tribute inked by an artist in nearby Ferndale, who, by coincidence, had unknowingly snapped a photo of the home herself in the past. House color has prompted discussion online in the past, too. In 2024 one woman amazed the internet with the results after she was warned not to paint her house white, only for the results to shock people who were against it at first. While another incident saw a mom backed for refusing to paint her bright pink house despite her 13-year-old son's embarrassment and demands that they change it to a "normal" color. As the video, posted earlier this week to @moreangrim, gained more attention online, people shared their reactions to the sweet note. Alongside photos of the house, book, note and tattoo, Clemons wrote in the on-screen text: I cried." "Human connection is the meaning of life," said Emmie666999. While viewer Beck_ham said: "Aww idk why but this made me cry." "This is the most wholesome content I've seen in a while. Thank you for sharing. But more importantly thank you for taking the time to appreciate the little things. May the sun always shine in your corner," said viewer GiggleBear. Clemons was delighted by the reaction on TikTok. "The reaction from TikTok was crazy," she said. "It made me feel emotional and re-appreciate the kindness of our neighbor and how cute it is that they shared the book."
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Jets Predicted To Cut Starter In Obvious Move
The New York Jets have some fat to trim before the 2025 NFL season, and for a roster that features just three players over the age of 30, it may not be the easiest decision. The three elder Jets seem to have decent job security, despite head coach Aaron Glenn calling for a youth movement. Advertisement 'It's a young man's game,' Glenn said during league meetings in March. 'I was always taught that you can't be afraid of the young player, so … we're able to mold these guys into who you want them to be and what type of team you want to be. 'Me and (Jets GM Darren Mougey) did a really good job of trying to create that. I think every situation that we wanted to create when it comes to free agency, we hit, as far as getting the quarterback that we wanted, getting the quarterback of the defense, trying to make this team younger.' Jets X-Factor's Nick Faria predicts that the decision on who to cut is an "obvious" one, however. Faria predicts the Jets will let go of former fourth-round pick Michael Clemons. 'Former fourth-round edge rusher Micheal Clemons has struggled to make a positive impact on the Jets since he was taken in the 2022 draft. The former Texas A&M product has more career penalties than sacks. Clemons will turn 28 in August, meaning he doesn't quite fit the 'youth movement' plans. Combine that with his poor discipline and production on the field, and he is an obvious cut candidate,' Faria wrote Advertisement 'Clemons is entering the final year of his rookie contract with New York. His cap hit is $3.6 million, but the Jets can cut him to clear $3.4 million while only taking on $191K in dead money,' Faria explained. Clemons was a full-time starter for the Jets this past season after starting just one game in his first two NFL campaigns. Clemons tallied 4.5 sacks, eight quarterback hits, and a forced fumble in 17 games. While, as Faria pointed out, Clemons has more penalties (eight) than sacks (7.5) in his career, he only logged two penalties in his 2024 campaign. Related: Jets Win Projection Sees Tough Sledding For Justin Fields Related: Jamal Adams Opens Up About Potential Return to Jets
