Funeral held for music legend Chuck Berry in St. Louis

Simmons had not been scheduled to speak but took to the podium at the service in Berry's hometown of St Louis to credit him with breaking down racial barriers through his music.

The day brought tears to many in the room, including Gene Simmons of Kiss. "He would say, "man my music does all the talking for me". "Rock "n' roll was started by a guy who just wanted to make people feel better".

Fans paid their respects Sunday morning.

Berry, laid out in a vintage shirt of purple glitter, with a white jacket and sea-captains hat, had his red Gibson guitar rested on the lining of the coffin lid. The head of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Greg Harris, said "anybody who's picked up a guitar has been influenced by him". "Thank you for the inspiration".

He added: "As you probably know, Chuck was a huge influence on me and my companions. and I will always remain a great fan of his wonderful music".

Paul McCartney and Bill Clinton also sent notes to be read at the service.

Berry, a St. Louis native, lived there throughout his life.

A four hour public viewing at The Pageant, a club where Berry often performed, opened its doors on Sunday (4/9) for a touching funeral service which was followed by a private service and celebration for the musician's family and friends.

"He captivated audiences around the world", he wrote.

That sentiment was echoed Sunday by David Letterman's former band leader, Paul Shaffer, who spoke to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch outside the club.

As the father of rock "n" roll, Berry set the bar high and went on to play a number of his greatest hits which include "Maybellene", "School Days", "No Particular Place to Go", "My Ding-a-Ling", "Sweet Little Sixteen", and "Roll Over Beethoven".

Berry was part of the inaugural class of musicians inducted into the Rock "n" Roll Hall of Fame.