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A private funeral for Clarence Clemons, with over 150 guests, family and friends, was held yesterday in Palm Beach, Florida, informs the Palm Beach Daily News. Amongst the guests were CC’s wife, Victoria, his four sons, three ex-wives, current and former E Street Band members, plus Bruce Springsteen and Jackson Browne. Bruce sang «Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out», in a slow acoustic version, while Jackson sang «You’re A Friend of Mine», with Bruce & The E Street Band.

Clarence had asked Victoria, his fifth wife, to scatter his ashes in a cherished spot in Hawaii. At the ceremony Springsteen remembered the first time he and the Big Man met in Asbury Park in 1971, and how Clarence “was a man of unconditional love, but his love came with a lot of conditions. He was a complex guy… an ongoing project. But when you were in his presence, it was like being in a sovereign nation”.

In New Jersey, governor Chris Christie ordered that flags be flown at half-staff on Thursday in honor of E Street Band saxophonist Clarence Clemons «in special recognition of his contributions to the state, people, and culture of New Jersey». Meanwhile in Asbury Park many fans gathered at the legendary Stone Pony club to pay homage to Clarence.

Photographer Barbara Pyle has a Youtube videomontage as a tribute to Clarence, with many unreleased photos that she took during the 1975 Born to Run tour.

The Big Man, Clarence Clemons, the legendary E Street Band’s sax player, passed away Saturday evening, June 18th, at age 69, in Florida, as a result of complications from the stroke he suffered last June 12th. His family and friends, including Bruce Springsteen, have spent the last days with him.

BruceSpringsteen.net posted the following statement last night:

It is with overwhelming sadness that we inform our friends and fans that at 7:00 tonight, Saturday, June 18, our beloved friend and bandmate, Clarence Clemons passed away. The cause was complications from his stroke of last Sunday, June 12th.

Bruce Springsteen said of Clarence: Clarence lived a wonderful life. He carried within him a love of people that made them love him. He created a wondrous and extended family. He loved the saxophone, loved our fans and gave everything he had every night he stepped on stage. His loss is immeasurable and we are honored and thankful to have known him and had the opportunity to stand beside him for nearly forty years. He was my great friend, my partner, and with Clarence at my side, my band and I were able to tell a story far deeper than those simply contained in our music. His life, his memory, and his love will live on in that story and in our band.

Bruce Springsteen posted a note yesterday on his official website:

«By now, many of you have heard that our beloved comrade and sax player Clarence Clemons has sufferred a serious stroke. While all initial signs are encouraging, Clarence will need much care and support to achieve his potential once again. He has his wonderfully supportive wife, Victoria, excellent doctors and health care professionals, and is surrounded by friends and family. I thank you all for your prayers and positive energy and concern. This is a time for us all to share in a hopeful spirit that can ultimately inspire Clarence to greater heights.»

Lady Gaga has been very concerned about CC’s health, who contributed with his work on her latest album, and has asked her fans via Twitter and YouTube to send videos to support the E Street Band’s sax player. You can watch on YouTube the video with the request and some of the answers received so far.

Meanwhile the Clemons family has enabled an email address where you can send messages to Clarence: notestoclarence@clarenceclemons.com