Bon Jovi's headline set at London's Hard Rock Calling was a nostalgic and sombre affair as the US rockers remembered Bruce Springsteen's late E Street saxophonist Clarence Clemons.

Jon Bon Jovi said he last hung out with Clemons, aka The Big Man, two years ago at the same Hyde Park event after watching him top the night’s bill alongside The Boss.

Clemons, 69, died last week from complications after he suffered a stroke.

The It’s My Life singer, 49, said after bringing his own headline showing to a close at the weekend: 'After Bruce played we got some food and hung out and... man, it’s just so sad. There have been tears.’

Meanwhile, the band’s guitarist was relishing being back on stage after a stint in rehab earlier this year.

Richie Sambora, 51, was hoping to add some new fans to Bon Jovi’s loyal following during Saturday’s three-hour, hit-filled set.
The cleaned-up axeman said: ‘If we can’t hook them after three songs by now, then we should just give up and f*** off!