Musical friends pay tribute to Ian Morris

Barry Saunders, frontman for The Warratahs, sings during Ian Morris' funeral service at the Municipal Theatre, Napier. Photo / Hawke's Bay Today

A who's who of the New Zealand music industry gathered in Napier on Wednesday afternoon to farewell their friend Ian Morris.

In a way only musicians know how, many paid musical tribute to a brother, father, friend and bandmate at the Napier Municipal Theatre.

Mr Morris rested at centre stage in a deep green coffin surrounded by his guitars.

Friends and family played musical tributes and shared tales of Mr Morris' sense of humour and expertise in both the studio and with guitar in hand.

Th' Dudes band mates Dave Dobbyn and Peter Urlich were joined on stage by Mr Morris' brother Richard, who sang the 1979 Th' Dudes single That Look In Your Eyes.

As per his wishes, the coffin was lead out of the theatre to School's Out for Summer by Alice Cooper.

Earlier today, When The Cat's Away singer Debbie Harwood, who helped organise today's event, said the memorial was not a concert and would be a relatively sombre affair.

"Ian will be there but it's not like a concert, more of a funeral."

Mr Morris, 53, was found dead in Napier on Thursday last week and his passing resulted in tributes from across the country.

He is survived by his wife Kim and three children Maude, Julia and James.