Heartfelt applause rang out at Dundee Crematorium as the lives of two of the city’s musical heroes, Dougie Martin and Gus Foy, were celebrated on Thursday.
Hundreds of mourners gathered at the separate ceremonies as tributes were paid to Dougie and Gus, who died within hours of each other last week.
A humanist ceremony was held at the packed Crematorium at 2pm for Gus, conducted by Lorna Hanlon. The sound of his voice singing country song I Wish It Would Rain accompanied his coffin into the auditorium.
It was standing room only as tributes were paid to ”Gorgeous” Gus by his son Gary, who said his dad had been well liked by a great many people.
”He was an amazingly kind and generous person,” he said, and that it was ”a day for fond memories” for his family and friends who crowded into the crematorium.
Ms Hanlon then read out a poem by Gus’s granddaughter, Casey, before his long-time friend and musical companion, Stewart Ivins, told of the ”sheer joy” of playing music with him.
”When you were in a band with Gus Foy you knew you had nothing to worry about,” he said. ”When he was on stage, it was a happy stage.”
His warm and humorous eulogy was ended on a poignant note with a round of applause before Gus’s voice was heard again on Harry’s Song, and the music ended with Elbow’s One Day Like This.
An hour later the crematorium was again packed to capacity, this time with some people left outside and the ceremony being relayed on loudspeakers.
Music once again figured highly as the sound of Dougie’s 1960s band, The Poor Souls, with ”The Godfather of Dundee Soul” on vocals, accompanied his coffin into the auditorium.
His brother-in-law musician, artist and playwright Chris Rattray addressed mourners, saying: ”Every musician in this room directly, and their sons indirectly, owe what they have to Dougie.”
His eulogy brought more humour to the crematorium with hilarious tales of their early exploits, and several rounds of applause as he spoke of his ”best friend.”
The ceremony was conducted by Rev Bob Wightman, who said everyone present had ”many happy memories” of Dougie Martin over his lengthy career in music.
There was also a tearful speech from his son Kyle, who spoke of growing up with Dougie singing to them.
He added that while the people who saw him on stage new him as ”Dougie, The Godfather, we were lucky enough to know Dougie the father.”
His daughter Penny also spoke, describing him as ”an incredibly generous person.”
She said he was very good fun and that he was a ”bit of a rascal” who knew his strengths but also acknowledged his weaknesses.
She added that he was their ”unconditional champion” who would often be found down the pub boasting to his friends about their achievements.
You’re The Inspiration by American band Chicago was described as an ”appropriate” choice of music by Rev Wightman before the mourners left to the sound of Dougie singing Mafia’s 1998 recording of Gladly Go Blind.
Musical tributes were also paid at their separate gatherings afterwards.
Scottish singer-songwriter Dougie MacLean, Stewart Ivins, Luke Ivins, Geoff Craigie and Christopher Marra performed at the Queen’s Hotel for Gus Foy’s family and friends.
Meanwhile dozens of Dundee’s well-known musicians were among hundreds who attended at the Dee Club to pay their final tributes to Dougie Martin.