There was standing room only as hundreds turned out to farewell and remember the life of Hello Sailor frontman Graham Brazier at Auckland's St Matthew's church this afternoon.
The 63-year-old died last week after suffering a heart attack in August.
Today his fans, friends and family were brought together for his final encore.
The funeral was conducted by broadcaster Karen Hay, who described Brazier as a shy, polite man, of whom she first met outside an Auckland courthouse prior to an appearance back in the 1980s.
She says his nature never changed throughout their friendship, and although she saw him in many states, including "joyous, aloof, child-like, edgy, dangerous, gregarious, jaded, missing", he was "always polite and always a gentleman".
Drummer Rick Ball spoke of Brazier's musical talent and ability to entertain, as well as his intellect.
"He could rattle off songs, poems, lyrics, paragraphs from books, events," he says. "He was a walking encyclopaedia."
Brazier's Hello Sailor bandmates also paid tribute, with bassist Paul Woolwright noticeably choking up as he remembered his long-time friend and colleague.
"I'm going to miss Graham… I am going to miss his voice and his amazing ability to perform and entertain."
Brazier was remembered for his love of poetry, boxing, books – and his bear hugs.
The last time he saw his son and grandson, he said he felt peaceful and they shouldn't fear death.
"Dad made something dark sound beautiful, which was Dad to a T, really."
His friendship with bandmate Dave McArtney, who passed away in 2013, was also remembered, honoured with a final song.
Brazier found fame in the 1970s with 'Gutter Black' and 'Blue Lady'.
Two of his songs – 'Blue Lady' and solo hit 'Billy Bold' – were voted into the top 100 New Zealand songs of all time by APRA members in 2001. 'Gutter Black' went on to become the theme tune to hit drama series Outrageous Fortune.
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