Jake Clemons named as new saxophonist for Bruce Springsteen

In case you've been living under a rock for the past month, Bruce Springsteen is touring this spring. But ever since the Boss announced his big plans for 2012 (which also includes releasing a new album) speculation began over who, if anyone, was going to replace the late Clarence Clemons, who died this past summer. Well, speculate no more. Today in a post on his official Facebook page, Springsteen named Clarence's nephew, Jake Clelmons as the new saxophonist for the E Street Band. The whole message reads:

"The expanded line up for this Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band tour features singers Cindy Mizelle and Curtis King, trombonist Clark Gayton and trumpeter Curt Ramm, all of whom have toured with Bruce Springsteen in the past along with newcomer Barry Danielian on trumpet. E Street stalwart Eddie Manion and first time tour member Jake Clemons, will share the saxophone role."

Although there's a part of me deep down that can't imagine Springsteen even trying to play tracks like "Born To Run" or "Jungleland" with anyone other than Big Man at the sax, I am glad that the big shoes will be filled by someone in the Clemons family. Check out all the tour dates below.

Springeteen's new album, Wrecking Ball, is out March 6th.

US Tour Dates

March 18 - Atlanta, GA - Philips Arena
March 19 - Greensboro, NC - Greensboro Coliseum
March 23 - Tampa, FL - Tampa Bay Times Forum
March 26 - Boston, MA - TD Garden
March 28 - Philadelphia, PA - Wells Fargo Center
March 29 - Philadelphia, PA - Wells Fargo Center
April 1 - Washington, DC - Verizon Center 
April 3 - East Rutherford, NJ - Izod Center
April 4 - East Rutherford, NJ - Izod Center
April 6 - New York, NY - Madison Square Garden
April 9 - New York, NY - Madison Square Garden
April 12 - Detroit, MI - The Palace of Auburn Hills
April 13 - Buffalo, NY - First Niagara Center
April 16 - Albany, NY - Times Union Center
April 17 - Cleveland, OH - Quicken Loans Arena 
April 24 - San Jose, CA - HP Pavilion
April 26 - Los Angeles, CA - Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena
April 29 - New Orleans, LA - New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
May 2 - Newark, NJ - Prudential Center
May 13 - Seville, Spain - Estadio Olimpico (on sale now)

May 17 - Barcelona, Spain - Estadio Olimpico Lluis (on sale now)
May 18 - Barcelona, Spain - Estadio Olimpico Lluis (on sale now)
May 25 - Frankfurt, Germany - Commerzbank Arena (on sale now)
May 27 - Cologne, Germany - RheinEnergieStadion (on sale now)
May 28 - Landgraaf, Netherlands - Pinkpop (on sale 3 March)
May 30 - Berlin, Germany - Olympia Stadion (on sale now)
June 2 - San Sebastian, Spain - Estadio Anoeta (on sale now)
June 3 - Lisbon, Portugal - Rock in Lisbon (on sale now)
June 7 - Milan, Italy - Stadio Meaza (on sale now)
June 10 - Florence, Italy - Stadio Francesco (on sale now)
June 11 - Trieste, Italy - Stadio Trieste (on sale now)
June 17 - Madrid, Spain - Estadio Santago Bernabu (on sale now)
June 19 - Montpellier, France - Park & Suites Arena (on sale now)
June 21 - Sunderland, UK - Stadium of Light (on sale now)
June 22 - Manchester, UK - Etihad Stadium (on sale now)
June 24 - Isle of Wight, UK - Isle of Wight Festival (on sale now)
July 4 - Paris, France - Bercy (on sale now)
July 5 - Paris, France - Bercy (on sale now)
July 7 - Roskilde, Denmark - Roskilde Festival (on sale now)
July 9 - Zurich, Switzerland - Stadium Letzigrund (on sale now)
July 11 - Prague, Czech Republic - Synot Tip Arena (on sale now)
July 12 - Vienna, Austria - Ernst Happel Stadium (on sale now)
July 14 - London, UK - Hard Rock Calling (on sale now)
July 17 - Dublin, Ireland - RDS (on sale now)
July 18 - Dublin, Ireland - RDS (on sale now)
July 21 - Oslo, Norway - Valle Hoven (on sale now)
July 23 - Bergen, Norway - Koengen (on sale now)
July 24 - Bergen, Norway - Koengen (on sale now)
July 27 - Gothenberg, Sweden - Ullevi (on sale now)
July 28 - Gothenberg, Sweden - Ullevi (on sale now)
July 31 - Helsinki, Finland - Olympic Stadium (on sale Jan 25)