IRON MAIDEN drummer Nicko McBrain and his bandmates attended their former tour manager's funeral in Truro yesterday afternoon.
A service to celebrate the life of Steve Gadd took place at Truro Cathedral at 3.15pm in the presence of hundreds of family members and friends.
Mr Gadd, who moved to Truro in 1990, lost his battle with cancer on March 27.
Following the hymn Morning Has Broken, a tribute by Steve Tommo Thompson and song Chasing Cars by Sarah Hodder, Mr McBrain paid tribute to his former tour manager.
He described Mr Gadd as a larger than life character and the most fantastic guy in the world.
He said: "He was generous and a good looking drummer.
"When I asked if he would work with me he said 'let me think about it'," he reminisced.
"He loved his drink and he loved his fish but he had to have it with mashed potatoes."
Afterwards, The Revd Canon Lynda Barley, who led the service, said: "Steve thought himself to play drums at the age of 13 and he was in the band Charlie.
"He was part of the Iron Maiden family and made Truro his home in 1990.
"The illness would not overcome his loyalty to his closest friends.
"He was a rock n roll man with deep love for animals, especially for cats, and he continually lied about his age."
