Family, friends and fans have paid their final respects to rock and roll legend Chuck Berry at his funeral service in his home town of St Louis.

Berry, known as "the father of rock and roll", died aged 90 last month.

Kiss rocker Gene Simmons was among those who paid tribute to the late musician whose songs include Roll Over Beethoven, Rock and Roll Music and Johnny B. Goode.

Image: Fans pay their respects to the late musician

"What can you say, the greatness is unequalled by anybody, in any form of music," said Simmons.

"Without Chuck Berry I wouldn't be here and everything that came, that became this huge thing called rock and roll started with a guy who just wanted to make people feel good and forget about the traffic jams of the world.


"It's a sad day but I think it's a happy time. Look at the legacy. Look at what Chuck Berry and his music has done," he added.

Berry performed at several White House inaugurations, including twice for Bill Clinton.

The former US president sent a letter that was read during the service.

Image: Guitarist Billy Peek performs during the memorial service

"He captivated audiences around the world," he wrote.

"His music spoke to the hopes and dreams we all had in common. Me and Hillary grew up listening to him."

Earlier, the Pageant club in St Louis, where Berry often performed, hosted a public viewing where fans were able to walk past the star's open coffin.

Berry influenced scores of musicians, with John Lennon once observing: "He was singing good lyrics, and intelligent lyrics, in the '50s when people were singing 'Oh, baby, I love you so.'"

A new album Berry was working on will be released posthumously later this year.

Entitled Chuck, it will feature his first new recordings in nearly 40 years and collaborations with his children and grandson.