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Palm Beach - Music filled the church during a private funeral Tuesday for Clarence Clemons, longtime saxophonist in Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band, who died of stroke complications over the weekend.
The roughly two-hour service for the 69-year-old Clemons, known as the Big Man and Springsteen's main foil onstage for four decades, was at the Royal Poinciana Chapel. Faint strains of music could be heard outside the small gray church.
Springsteen, among those delivering a eulogy, spoke eloquently of his friendship with Clemons, according to those leaving the church. Jackson Browne and members of the E Street Band were on hand. Miami Heat general manager Pat Riley was seen leaving the church, which is beside the historic estate of tycoon Henry Flagler and nearby the tony Breakers hotel.
The 6-foot-5 Clemons had suffered from numerous medical problems over the years. He needed spinal surgery to relieve back pain and had two knee replacements. In recent years, he often needed to rest on stools onstage. He died Saturday at his home in Singer Island.
Besides the E Street Band, Clemons performed with many other artists, including Browne, over the years. Very recently, he was introduced to a whole new generation of fans when he performed his signature tenor sax on Lady Gaga's video, The Edge of Glory.
In a statement posted on his Internet site, Springsteen said, "Clarence lived a wonderful life. He carried within him a love of people that made them want to love him. He created a wondrous and extended family. He loved the saxophone, loved our fans and gave everything he had every time he stepped on stage."
The roughly two-hour service for the 69-year-old Clemons, known as the Big Man and Springsteen's main foil onstage for four decades, was at the Royal Poinciana Chapel. Faint strains of music could be heard outside the small gray church.
Springsteen, among those delivering a eulogy, spoke eloquently of his friendship with Clemons, according to those leaving the church. Jackson Browne and members of the E Street Band were on hand. Miami Heat general manager Pat Riley was seen leaving the church, which is beside the historic estate of tycoon Henry Flagler and nearby the tony Breakers hotel.
The 6-foot-5 Clemons had suffered from numerous medical problems over the years. He needed spinal surgery to relieve back pain and had two knee replacements. In recent years, he often needed to rest on stools onstage. He died Saturday at his home in Singer Island.
Besides the E Street Band, Clemons performed with many other artists, including Browne, over the years. Very recently, he was introduced to a whole new generation of fans when he performed his signature tenor sax on Lady Gaga's video, The Edge of Glory.
In a statement posted on his Internet site, Springsteen said, "Clarence lived a wonderful life. He carried within him a love of people that made them want to love him. He created a wondrous and extended family. He loved the saxophone, loved our fans and gave everything he had every time he stepped on stage."
