Graham Brazier farewelled today

Hello Sailor lead singer Graham Brazier's funeral took place today. Photo / HBT

The funeral for the frontman of one of New Zealand's most-loved bands has begun.

Sheltering under a flotilla of umbrellas, hundreds of people have gathered at St Matthew's-in-the-City in central Auckland to farewell Graham Brazier.

The Hello Sailor singer-songwriter died last week aged 63, in an Auckland rehabilitation facility where he had been recovering from a heart attack.

The funeral is being conducted by former Radio With Pictures host and radio personality Karyn Hay.

Former bandmate Harry Lyon, blues guitarist Hammond Gamble, and musician Jordan Luck were among the people present at the funeral.

Brazier was born in Auckland spent his boyhood in Mt Eden and Balmoral where his mother ran a local book shop which her son later ran.

Hello Sailor made its live debut in 1975 and so began one of the most colourful - and haphazard careers - in NZ rock history.