The world lost a great pioneer with the death of Chuck Berry last month, who passed away at the age of 90. On Sunday morning, the father of rock and roll was honored in his hometown of St. Louis, Missouri at the city’s Pageant venue with a four-hour public viewing. Berry, dressed in a white suit, purple sequined shirt, and his Captain’s hat, laid peacefully with his red Gibson ES-335 guitar. The scene felt fitting for a legend, and many came out to honor his legacy.

The Rolling Sones sent a guitar-shaped floral arrangement that sat next to the casket with a note, “Thank you for the inspiration. With fondest memories, Mick, Keith, Charlie and Ronnie, the Rolling Stones.”

The private “Celebration of Life” service featured words by Kiss’ Gene Simmons, former Late Show bandleader Paul Shaffer, and Marshall Chess, the son of Chess Records co-founder Leonard Chess.

Congressman William Lacy Clay opened the 300-person service with words from Bill Clinton, who booked Berry to perform both of his presidential inaugurations. “He is one of America’s greatest rock & roll pioneers,” he wrote. “He captivated audiences around the world. His music spoke to the hopes and dreams we all had in common. Me and Hillary grew up listening to him.”

Gene Simmons hadn’t planned on speaking at the service, but took to the podium to thank Berry, saying, “Without Chuck Berry I wouldn’t be here and everything that came, that became this huge thing called rock & roll started with a guy who just wanted to make people feel good and forget about the traffic jams of the world and everything.”

“He was breaking down barriers that no one suspected. Chuck, he changed more little white boys’ and white girls’ lives than all the politicians and their talk,” Simmons added. “Maybe Chuck said it best: ‘Roll over Beethoven, tell Tchaikovsky the news.’ Buckle your knees, bow your head, the great Chuck Berry is passing by.”

Watch the touching tribute below:

Paul Shaffer called Berry the man “who invented rock & roll,” as Joel Peresman, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame president, explained that “from the first brick, everything that was built was based on Chuck Berry.” Chuck Berry was among the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s first inductees.

The letters of tribute poured in. From Paul McCartney, “As you probably know, Chuck was a huge influence on me and my companions, and I will always remain a great fan of his wonderful music.”

Berry’s wife, Themetta “Toddy” Berry also penned a letter:

Watch Berry’s grandchildren and members of his backing band perform “Johnny B. Goode” in his honor:

[via Rolling Stone]