Springsteen got wish for sax solos
This was a transcendent moment for music producer Ron Aniello.
The Western High graduate has experienced his share of achievement since moving to Los Angeles three decades ago to get closer to the center of the music universe.
He toured with Frank Sinatra as a teenaged guitarist in Marlene Ricci's band and he's been nominated for Grammys, but his latest achievement has a very special story connected to it.
It took place in a studio at Bruce Springsteen's New Jersey farm not long after beloved saxophonist Clarence Clemons died in June 2011.
Springsteen had invited Aniello to audition for his "Wrecking Ball" album.
"Clarence passed away before we had a chance to work with him in the studio," said Aniello. While Springsteen and his band were grieving, Aniello focused on the album.
Springsteen joined in, "and when we were finished mixing, there's a part in 'In the Land of Hope and Dreams' where the sax solo was supposed to be."
"Bruce said, 'I wish we had Clarence on there,'" Aniello recalled.
A bell went off in Aniello's head. He had put some of Clemons' solos in the space and muted them.
"I literally forgot to bring it up to Bruce," he said.
"It was really a special moment for all of us. It's a moment I'll remember the rest of my life."
Last week, "Wrecking Ball" was nominated for three Grammys - best rock album (for Springsteen and Aniello) and best rock song and best rock performance.
Rolling Stone has already voted "Wrecking Ball" as the best album of the year.
It was Aniello's third Grammy nomination and fifth nomination for projects he's produced.
Quite a career for a local boy who thought the biggest moment in his life was when, still in his teens, he was selected as a guitarist for a community production of "Jesus Christ Superstar" at the Judy Bailey Theater.
THE SCENE AND HEARD
Out of respect to the victims of the Newtown, Conn., tragedy, today's "Gordon Ramsay British Invasion" event has been postponed until late January. Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grill at Caesars will still open to the general public in its soft opening period as planned on Tuesday; Gordon Ramsay BurGR on Saturday.
Best wishes and a speedy recovery to burlesque icon Tempest Storm. She has been hospitalized at Sunrise Hospital since Dec. 8 after hitting her head when she fainted after attending a Christmas show at The LVH. She is due out of Sunrise Hospital on Dec. 28. She turns 85 in February.
SIGHTINGS
Matt Kemp, the National League's 2011 runner-up for Most Valuable Player, with Dodgers teammates at Tao (Venetian) on Saturday. Also at Tao on Saturday: UFC fighter Urijah Faber, with MMA pals. ... Pete Rose, having a New York steak at Wolfgang Puck's CUT (Palazzo) on Saturday night. Hockey legend Wayne Gretzky, with his family at CUT on Friday night. ... Reigning Miss Universe Leila Lopes of Angola, the 9:30 p.m. performance of KÀ by Cirque du Soleil at the MGM Grand Las Vegas. Accompanied by six friends, the beauty queen went backstage after the show to meet the cast and take photos. ... Actress and dancer Mitzi Gaynor, at the opening night of Nevada Ballet Theatre's "The Nutcracker." Former Strip headliner Holly Madison also attended. ... UFC star Shane Carwin, hanging with friends at Hooters Casino Hotel on Saturday.
THE PUNCH LINE
"(Last week) the Senate floor was reserved for farewell speeches from retiring senators. Each senator received a fitting gift: a gold watch that stopped working years ago." - Jimmy Fallon
Norm Clarke can be reached at 702-383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com. Follow Norm on Twitter @Norm_Clarke. His weekly segment, "Norm Clarke's Vegas," airs during the "Morning Blend" on KTNV-TV, Channel 13 every Thursday.
