Mourners surround Alton Ellis' coffin at his funeral at the St Andrew Scots Kirk United church on Monday.

Tributes were paid to Alton Nehemiah Ellis, OD, before the start of his funeral but this was constantly interrupted by the artiste's many rowdy fans.

Upon entering the grounds of the St Andrew Scots Kirk United Church on Duke Street, Kingston, many persons peeped to get a look at the proceedings.

Inside there was loud chatting; with the people paying little attention to the service. One woman shouted 'String Bean' (in reference to actor Michael Nicholson) from the balcony, but he reluctantly answered.

Under the tents and at the back of the church, there were people who seemed to have turned out in their 'yard wear', like shorts and merinos; while for the babies, their diapers were being exposed.

Others simply walked around aimlessly; fanning themselves in the hot church and had to be removed from the aisles by the police before the funeral started.

Nonetheless, the tributes

continued with people like Mutabaruka, Ken Boothe, Judy Mowatt, Carlene Davis, Joan Andrea Hutchinson, Bunny and Scully, Bongo Herman and Alton Ellis' son, Christopher.

- Sadeke Brooks

Bongo Herman at the funeral of the late Alton Ellis - ricardo makyn photos