Family and friends gathered for a private memorial service in Palm Beach, Florida on Tuesday to say goodbye to Clarence Clemons.
The Palm Beach Daily News reports Bruce Springsteen, playing solo, offered a softened, almost tender version of “Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out,” the song that recalls his first meeting with Clemons in an Asbury Park bar on a snowy day.
Bruce then went on to eulogize his late friend – breaking down only once, when describing that first meeting – as a man not only big in stature, but big in heart and spirit.
He said Clemons was hardly the uncomplicated man many thought him to be.
“Clarence was a man of unconditional love, but his love came with a lot of conditions,” he said, drawing chuckles and murmurs of agreement from many in the assemblage. “He was a complex guy … an ongoing project. But when you were in his presence, it was like being in a sovereign nation.”
In addition to the gospel song “Take My Hand Precious Lord” and a thundering version of “How Great Thou Art” by the chapel’s organist, the music included a mournful saxophone solo of “Amazing Grace” performed by Clemons’ nephew.
Held at the Royal Poinciana Chapel, the service ended with a rollicking, upbeat rendition of “You’re a Friend of Mine,” Clemons’ 1985 hit with Jackson Browne, performed by Springsteen, the E Street Band and Browne.
A private reception in the chapel’s fellowship hall followed the service.
The lyrics for Clemons’ “You’re A Friend Of Mine” were included in the memorial program from Clarence’s service; you can check it out here.
Clemons asked Victoria, his fifth wife, to scatter his ashes at a cherished spot in Hawaii and to do so with “all of the special women in his life” – including his previous wives.
Photo credit: Shannon Donnelly/Palm Beach Daily News
Clarence Clemons Clarence Clemons & Jackson Browne – You’re A Friend Of Mine (1988)
See also:
VIDEO: U2 pays tribute to Clarence Clemons in Anaheim
VIDEO: Bon Jovi pays tribute to Clarence Clemons in Denmark
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