Farewell from Asbury Park, N.J.

ASBURY PARK, N.J. - About 150 fans gathered Sunday at the famous Stone Pony rock club to mourn the death and celebrate the life and music of saxophonist Clarence Clemons.

They lined up to snap pictures and leave flowers at the Asbury Park landmark where Clemons launched his career with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band in the early 1970s. Known as "The Big Man" for his size, stage presence, and booming sax notes, Clemons, 69, died Saturday night from a stroke he suffered a week earlier at home in Singer Island, Fla.

Within hours of his death, fans slowly began stopping by the club, where an act catering to a younger crowd was playing. Flowers, a candle, and a handwritten "RIP Big Man" sign soon sprouted outside, and more items were added through Sunday. By afternoon, Clemons photos adorned the stage.

Gary Mottola, who owns the Stone Pony, said Sunday that the E Street Band was "the soul of Asbury Park" and that Clemons was the soul of the band. When the city fell on hard times, Mottola said, the energy from the band's performances kept it alive.

Fans at the gathering had similar views, fondly recalling the impact that Springsteen and Clemons had on their lives.

"One of our first dates was a Bruce concert," said Cyndi Matts of Little Silver, recalling the night more than a quarter-century ago when she and her husband heard the band perform "Jungleland."

"When he had that solo and everyone put their hands up - it still gives me chills," Matts said.

Clemons' raucous solos helped define the Jersey Shore sound of the '70s and '80s, a genre that included Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes and, occasionally, a young Jon Bon Jovi. Clemons was a vital part of the E Street Band and served for decades with Springsteen, whom he had met in 1971 on the New Jersey bar-band circuit.

"Clarence Clemons represented the soul and spirit of New Jersey," Gov. Christie, a Springsteen fan, said in a statement. "His partnership with Bruce Springsteen and the rest of the E Street Band brought great pride to our state and joy to every fan of this music around the world.

"On a personal note, when I heard about the Big Man's passing on Saturday night, I was struck with an overwhelming feeling that the days of my youth were now finally over. My condolences to Clarence's family and all the members of the E Street Band."

Springsteen and Clemons played routinely at the Stone Pony in the '70s - usually unannounced, said Kyle Brendle, the house promoter. Clemons last performed there for a solo show in summer 2006, he said.