BRUUUUUUUUCE! (Image via Wikipedia)

The Boss will be back in a big way in 2012—Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, who've been lying low since the death of beloved saxophonist Clarence Clemons this summer, have just announced plans for a worldwide tour and new album in 2012. In a post on the official Springsteen site, the band reports:

"Well, things are starting to heat up down on E Street. 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 US dates and the World tour dates will coming up shortly.

In addition, we want you to know that the music is almost done (but still untitled), we have almost settled on the release date (but not quite yet), and that we are all incredibly excited about everything that we're planning for 2012. That's all the info we have for right now, but we'll get back to you—real soon."

It will be the E Street Band's first tour in three years, although Bruce has been busking in public parks to prepare. And just in case you're worried that The Boss might not be able to rock it anymore (he's 62), here he is kicking ass all over Madison Square Garden two years ago: