Mourners and family members around the coffin of the late Alton Ellis, whose funeral was held at the St Andrew Scots Kirk United Church on Duke Street, downtown Kingston, yesterday. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer

THEY CAME out in record numbers at the St Andrew Scots Kirk United Church in Kingston yesterday. Family, friends and well-wishers united in thanks-giving for the life of legendary rocksteady legend, Alton Nehemiah Ellis.

Christopher Ellis and Keecia Ellis, two of the singer's 20 children, paid tribute to him by performing Willow Tree, one of his biggest hits.

Comedian Owen 'Blakka' Ellis, his nephew, delivered the eulogy.

He described his uncle as "the one", saying that "he lived a life about love, life, passion, decency and had a strong moral compass".

Share in grief

Officiating minister, the Reverend Marjorie Lewis, charged the congregation that, as they shared in the grief of the Ellis family, they remember Jamaica's escalating violence.

Lewis appealed to Jamaicans to hold steadfast and maintain hope through these times of grief and trauma when women and children are increasingly falling victim to heinous crimes.

Lewis compared the current plight of Jamaica to that of Jerusalem saying, "The country is experiencing heavy hearts and the nation is cow-bawling because of the destruction of Jerusalem under the pressure of Babylon."

Ellis, known as the Godfather of Rocksteady, died on October 10 in London, England, succumbing to a 10-month battle with lymphatic cancer.

He is also survived by his wife, Judith.

The entertainment community was well represented. Among those at the service were singer/producer Derrick Harriott, singers Errol Dunkley and Sugar Minott, and musicians Boris Gardiner and Bongo Herman.

Lover's rock pioneer

Born in west Kingston, Ellis was one of the pioneers of lover's rock. He recorded a string of hits in the 1960s, which included Dance-crasher, Girl I've Got a Date, I'm Just a Guy and I'm Still in Love.

He emigrated to the United Kingdom in the early 1970s, touring Europe and remaining active as a live act up until this summer.

In 1994, he was awarded the Order of Distinction by the Jamaican Government in recognition of his achievements.