Springsteen planning 2012 concert tour

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NEW YORK, Nov. 21 (UPI) -- American rock icon Bruce Springsteen says he and the E Street Band are setting up a string of 2012 concert dates for their next world tour.

Springsteen said he and the band are also putting the finishing touches on an album set for release in 2012.

"Well, things are starting to heat up down on E Street," the musician said in a message posted on his Web site.

"A lot of you have been hearing that Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band will be on tour in 2012. That is absolutely correct. The European dates run from the middle of May until end of July and are being announced this week. Info on the U.S. dates and the world tour dates will coming up shortly."

This will be the band's first major tour since its saxophone player, Clarence Clemons, died in June after suffering a stroke. He was 69.