Final farewells to music icon Chuck Berry

Fans in the US state of Missouri have been paying their final
respects to the rock 'n' roll legend Chuck Berry who died last
month aged 90.

They were allowed to view the performer's body at the Pageant
club in St Louis before a private family funeral on Sunday.

As fans filed past the open coffin a musician played some of
Chuck Berry's greatest hits.

The guitarist and songwriter died in Missouri after a seven-decade
career.

Among those paying tribute to the musician on Sunday was Kiss
rocker Gene Simmons.

Former US President Bill Clinton sent letter lauding "one of
America's greatest rock and roll pioneers".

"He captivated audiences around the world," the letter said, "and
his music spoke to the hopes and dreams we all had in common.

"Me and Hillary grew up listening to him." Berry played at both of
Bill Clinton's presidential inaugurations.

As the private service for Berry began, the Rev Alex Peterson told
the crowd that the aim of the day was "to celebrate Berry in a
rock 'n' roll style".

"We're not going to sit here and be sad," Mr Peterson was quoted
by the St Louis Post-Despatch as saying.

As fans earlier filed past the open coffin - which had a red Gibson
guitar bolted to the lid - a musician played some of the dead
star's most memorable compositions, including Johnny B Goode,
Sweet Little Sixteen and Roll Over Beethoven.

Among the floral arrangements was one in the shape of a guitar
sent by the Rolling Stones.

Seen as one of the fathers of rock 'n' roll, Berry influenced
generations of succeeding musicians, most notably The Beatles,
the Rolling Stones and the Beach Boys.

Berry was known for trademark four-bar guitar introductions and
quickfire lyrics that reflected the rebelliousness of 1950s
teenagers.

He received a lifetime achievement Grammy in 1984 and was
among the first inductees to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in
1986.

Berry was born in St Louis, Missouri, in 1926, and had his first hit,
Maybellene, in 1955.

He went on to score a succession of hits that were aimed at
adolescent audiences, transcending the colour bar that plagued
many black artists of his generation.