From left: Dr Omar Davies opposition spokesman on finance with Minister of Information, Culture Youth and Sports Olivia Grange and Sylvester Castro of Carib Cement at the funeral for the late Alton Ellis at the St Andrew Scots Kirk United Church on Duke Street, Kingston yesterday. - Ricardo Makyn photos

It was a time of mourning and celebration at the funeral of the 'rocksteady king' Alton Nehemiah Ellis, OD, at the St Andrew's Scots Kirk United Church on Duke Street, Kingston, yesterday.

His life was honoured by family, friends, politicians, actors and his many fans who were in attendance.

The funeral began at noon following a special tribute where respects were paid in song and the spoken word. There was constant chatter until the officiating minister said: "Let us be quiet before God."

Some people openly wept while tributes were being done by the likes of Franklyn Campbell (Jamaica Association of Vintage Artistes and Affiliates), Joey 'Bunny' Brown, Charmaine Bowman (Jamaica Federation of Musicians Union) and Alton Ellis' daughter Keecia Ellis.

Politicians Omar Davies and Olivia 'Babsy' Grange also paid their respect.

"It's a huge loss," said Grange. "But we can say to our children that we listened to his music and saw his performances."

His nephew Owen 'Blakka' Ellis was somewhat comedic when he spoke on behalf of the entire Ellis family.

"Uncle Alton was 'The One'. He was 'The One' who worked too hard, too long and for very little too often," he said. "He was 'The One' who made us proud to say our last name is Ellis."

One of his sons, Dean Ellis, also spoke proudly, using the opportunity to acknowledge his father's many children and babymothers.

The remembrance by journalist Ian Boyne moved the audience.

"He (Alton Ellis) had a delicate balance of humility and self-confidence. He was more than the king of rocksteady, he was the king of soul," he said.

As he spoke, Boyne tapped into his own soulfulness by belting out some of Alton Ellis' songs like Can't Stop Now and All My Tears.

When Alton Ellis' son Christopher Ellis began singing, fans who had left the church, after the tributes' section, returned. They flocked the coffin, kissing, rubbing and touching it.

The ceremony continued with a sermon by Dr Marjorie A. Lewis, followed by thanksgiving, final commendation and benediction.

Left: Cat Core of Third World. Right: Errol Dunkley

From left: Tinga Setwart, Delano Tucker and Dennis Alcopone. In foreground is Derrick Morgan.