ROCK ’n’ roll fans turned out in force yesterday to salute Southampton music legend Rick Brown, pictured.

There was standing room only in the east chapel of the city’s crematorium as they bid an emotional farewell to the popular 67-year-old singer, who provided the ’60s soundtrack for the teenage years of so many Sotonians.

He was the lead singer with Ricky and the Hi- Lites who became a big name on the UK and European soul, rock and rock ’n’ roll concert circuit.

During the service tributes were paid to the musician who started playing concerts in his back garden and went on to perform his unique brand of music around the world.

The congregation was asked to reflect on their memories of Rick as the lyrics of Eddie Cochran’s Three Steps to Heaven filled the chapel.

And as Southampton bid farewell to one of its favourite musical sons, that soul classic, Stand by Me, by Ben E King, drifted through the chapel out into the golden crisp winter sunshine.