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Springsteen performing in Madrid in May 2016
Photo: JPGandul / dpa
Numerous motorway rest stops in New Jersey are to be named after stars from the US state such as James Gandolfini, Whitney Houston, Jon Bon Jovi and Frank Sinatra.
The singer Bruce Springsteen, who was also born in New Jersey, declined this honor.
A total of nine rest stops along the Garden State Parkway would be renamed "to show the outstanding talent of the people of New Jersey and their contributions to the world," said Governor Phil Murphy, who was formerly the US ambassador to Germany.
Those honored include people who are still alive and who have died with a connection to New Jersey.
There will also be small exhibitions about their life and work at the rest stops.
One of the most famous stars from the state is not on the list: singer Bruce Springsteen had "respectfully refused" the honor planned for him, quoted US media as saying a spokeswoman for the New Jersey Hall of Fame who was involved in the action.
Reasons for this were not given.
aar / dpa
