New Jersey flags to be lowered to half-staff in Clarence Clemons' honor Thursday.

[Amerigo Vespucci]

Bruce Springsteen ,right, and his wife Patti Scialfa , far left, leave the Royal Poinciana Chapel in Palm Beach, Fla. Tuesday, June 21, 2011, after a memorial service for Clarence Clemons, a long time friend and saxophone player for Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band. Clemons died June 18, 2011.

PALM BEACH, Fla. – Bruce Springsteen eloquently eulogized his friend of more than four decades and E Street Band saxophonist Clarence Clemons Tuesday at a private funeral at a small Florida church.

The roughly two-hour service for the 69-year-old Clemons, known as the Big Man and Springsteen's main foil onstage over their long careers, was at the Royal Poinciana Chapel on this manicured island of the rich and famous. Faint strains of music could be heard outside the small gray church.

***

As mourners converged in Florida, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie lauded Clemons in an executive order as "a gifted musician, remarkable performer and iconic figure." Christie also ordered flags lowered to half-staff in the musician's honor Thursday.

"Through his accomplishments and achievements in the entertainment industry and his contributions to the cultural identity of New Jersey, Clarence Clemons has made New Jersey a better place," the order read.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110622/ap_en_mu/us_clarence_clemons

[bigwillq]

1. K and R (nt)

[Skittles]

2. lovely gesture

:thumbsup:

[customerserviceguy]

5. First thing right I can recall Christie doing, n/t

[Johnny Harpo]

3. He Will Be Missed

[Scurrilous]

4. K & R

:thumbsup:

[Manifestor_of_Light]

6. I'm so glad Bruce wouldn't play for Christie's inauguration party.