Palm Beach Daily News Society Editor
http://www.palmbeachdailynews.com/
June 21, 2011
As last wishes go, Clarence Clemons’ was a doozy.
He asked Victoria, his titian-haired 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.
Victoria, speaking at her husband’s memorial service at the Royal Poinciana Chapel on Tuesday, told 150 friends and family members – including three of the four ex-wives, who were seated near her at the service – that she would do exactly that.
Clemons, saxophonist for Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band and a resident of Singer Island, died Saturday from complications of a stroke he suffered a week earlier. He was 69.
The private, by-invitation service was a bit late getting started due to a last-minute rehearsal for the performers, including Bruce Springsteen, Jackson Browne and the E Street Band.
Clemons’ brother, a career Marine who is now an ordained minister, sat at the altar next to the Rev. Robert Norris.
Springsteen went on to eulogize his 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.
The service ended with a rollicking, upbeat – except for the perpetually morose Browne – rendition of You’re a Friend of Mine, Clemons’ 1985 hit with Browne, performed by Springsteen, the E Street Band and Browne.
A private reception in the chapel’s fellowship hall followed the service.
Among the mourners were Eric Meola, who took the iconic photo of Springsteen and Clemons that became the cover of Born to Run, and Dr. David Dodson, Clemons’ physician.
Clemons, nicknamed “The Big Man” because of his 6-foot-6 frame, was born Jan. 11, 1942, in Norfolk, Va., the grandson of a minister.
In addition to the E Street Band, Clemons performed with the Grateful Dead, the Jerry Garcia Band, Ringo Starr’s All Star Band, Aretha Franklin, Roy Orbison and Browne.
He also had his own band called the Temple of Soul.
In addition to his wife, nephew, and brother, he is survived by his four sons Clarence, called Nick; Charles, Christopher and Jarod; and a sister.
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