Max Weinberg: "I Will Do Anything for the Big Man"

Mighty Max Weinberg — former bandleader for the Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien and drummer for Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band — sat down with Premier Guide Miami's Daedrian McNaughton at the Seminole Hard Rock Resort in Hollywood, Florida, where he came out to support his longtime friend and bandmate Clarence Clemons at the Clarence Clemons Classic Gala and Auction.. Premier Guide Miami sat down to find out what that means — and what comes next.

Max Weinberg — known to fans as Mighty Max — is the former bandleader for the Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien and the longtime drummer for Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. Premier Guide Miami's Daedrian McNaughton caught up with him at the Seminole Hard Rock Resort and Casino in Hollywood, Florida, where he came out to support his friend and former bandmate Clarence Clemons at the Clarence Clemons Classic Gala and Auction benefiting Home Safe, a children's charity for abused, neglected, and abandoned children.

PGM: What brought you out tonight, Max?

Max Weinberg: Well, Clarence Clemons and the Home Safe Foundation. I have been attending for the past four years and it's always a great event. I will do anything for the "Big Man." As you know, when Clarence is in the room, anything is likely to happen. It is a lot of fun. Fortunately I was on the East Coast, so I didn't have to fly too far to come down here today to enjoy the drums, the festivities. People seem to embrace the great work done by the organization. They love this event, and I know this is Clarence's last year as spokesperson for Home Safe — I am sure it is going to be pretty wild.

PGM: How do you feel about the cause and the work they are doing for the children?

Max Weinberg: I feel it is very important, and there is no greater issue — particularly in these grave economic times — than at-risk children. This is what Home Safe does: they deal with these problems to help kids overcome their challenges and support them toward a better life, to a higher ground. What's more important than that? If you really mess that up, it doesn't matter what else you do.

PGM: What's next for Max Weinberg?

Max Weinberg: Well, I am going to get a libation first. But generally speaking — I'm playing with the Max Weinberg Big Band, a fifteen-piece ensemble that mostly plays the music of Frank Sinatra, Buddy Rich, Count Basie, and Maynard Ferguson. We start our national tour on June 11th.

PGM: When will you return to Miami?

Max Weinberg: We were in Miami at Christmas at the Fontainebleau, so we will be back here in the winter.

For more upcoming events across South Florida, visit the Premier Guide Miami Events Calendar .