Rescue - Clarence Clemons

As Bruce Springsteen labored over the album that would become Born In The U.S.A., E Street Band tenor saxophonist Clarence Clemons took the opportunity to create this busman's holiday, fronting a septet he called The Red Bank Rockers. The group's lead singer was John "J.T." Bowen, a gruff-voiced shouter in the tradition of Wilson Pickett, and Clemons assembled such songwriters as Ellie Greenwich and Desmond Child to put together a set of neo-'60s R&B ravers. Also included was Springsteen's "Savin' Up," on which The Boss played rhythm guitar. Of course, Clemons himself played lots of sax in the rock & roll style of King Curtis and Steve Douglas. The album suggested that The Rockers might be a good band to catch on a hot night in Red Bank. But it didn't make anyone mistake Clemons for anything other than a talented sideman. ~ William Ruhlmann, All Music Guide