Dozens of people gathered Monday to celebrate the life of a man who inspired countless artists in New Harmony.
Clem Penrose was a musician who co-founded the New Harmony Artists Guild, and the ceremony celebrating his life at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church was musical.
Liz Mumford sang lead on one of Warren’s Zevon’s final tunes.
A friend of Penrose, musician Randy Pease, told WNIN he’ll miss him…
"He was my mentor and occasional tormentor. He was kind of like an older brother. I wanted to play, I wanted to bring people in and he gave me a space to do that."
Annie Owen co-founded the New Harmony Artists Guild with Penrose decades ago.
"He's run it ever since and he was the spirit of this street for sure. Everyone came to play. He brought all sorts of musicians together."
Penrose was originally from New Orleans, so the gathering at the service sang "When the Saints Go Marching In."
Clem Penrose died at the age of 76 but his friends and family say his inspiration will live on in New Harmony.
