ROCK ‘n’ roll came to Southampton Crematorium yesterday with the funerals of two men who were at the forefront of the music scene in the 50s and 60s.

Hundreds of mourners bade their farewells to a wrestling legend who also helped create Britain’s rock ‘n’ roll revolution. Paul Lincoln, who died at the age of 78 and lived in the city, was known on the wrestling circuit as Dr Death.

With his black leather mask, black robe and black boots he brought fear to wrestling rings across the south and around the world throughout the 50s and 60s. The hearse, bearing his coffin, also carried a picture of him from his iconic hooded wrestling days as it drew up outside the crematorium’s East Chapel.

Away from the canvas, the giant fighter was getting to grips with turning fresh faced teenagers into rock ‘n’ roll stars through the 2 I’s coffee bar in Old Compton Street, London, he bought with a business partner in 1956.

The tiny basement became the spiritual home for Britain’s first generation of rock ‘n’ rollers who went on to become household names including Tommy Steele, Sir Cliff Richard, Adam Faith, Marty Wilde, Joe Brown, Screaming Lord Sutch and Wee Willie Harris.

The song Rockin at the 2 I’s, recorded by Harris, filled every corner of the chapel as tributes were paid to a family man who had a huge impact on the wrestling and music world.

Earlier the same chapel was packed as tributes were paid to an Eastleigh man who also played a major role in shaping the sounds of the 60s.

Mick Haly, who died after a long illness, was famous for his role as the frontman for 60s revival band Peter Pod and the Peas who performed with such pop giants as Gerry and The Pacemakers, The Searchers and Marmalade.

The 59-year-old grandfather was a keyboard player, singer, songwriter, and former entertainment agent and nightclub boss. Wherever they performed Peter Pod and the Peas, who raised tens of thousands of pounds for charity, played to packed audiences.