Alvin Stardust has been laid to rest in Swansea.
The seventies pop star – whose real name was Bernard William Jewry – passed away on October 23 2014 at the age of 72 from metastatic prostate cancer, and was buried near his Welsh home yesterday (05.11.14).
The service – attended by 350 mourners – was held at St. Thomas Church where Alvin married his wife, actress Julie Patton,
Lord Michael Levy whose company Magnet Records signed the ‘My Coo Ca Choo’ singer, honoured the star saying: "I stand here as the creator of the persona of Alvin Stardust.
"But Alvin, you made yourself into such a great artist around the world."
The icon’s coffin was carried into the church while the Disney song ‘When You Wish Upon A Star’ from the 1940 film ‘Pinocchio’ played, with male voice choir the Gawlia Singers later performing Welsh hymn ‘Calon Lân’.
The ‘I Feel like Buddy Holly’ crooner’s career spanned over half a century – also performing under the moniker Shane Fenton – and also saw the star feature in numerous stage shows including ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’ at the London Palladium, and in ‘Godspell’ in which he met his third wife, Julie.
During the ceremony, glasses of whiskey were poured for his bandmates around the late star’s coffin, with a champagne bottle also being opened, remembering his penchant for a tipple following each of his performances.
At the end of the emotional service, 50 members of the Harley Davidson Owners’ Club accompanied the coffin on the journey to Swansea Crematorium, at the request of his daughter, Sophie.
Days after his death, the musician’s first album in 30 years titled ‘ALVIN’ was released, with his manager Andy Davis explaining he believes it showcases his greatest music.
He said: "He was very proud of it. He thought it was the best thing he ever made,
"He and I believed he still had a great deal to give so we recorded an album that is a testament to an artist who gave his career to music.
"He was one of the most genuine and likeable men I’ve ever met. His passing is a huge and sad loss."
Alvin Stardust laid to rest in Swansea
