SCORES of people turned out to say a final farewell to a Weymouth pub landlord who died suddenly.

Dennis Sheppard, who championed the live music scene by putting on regular sessions at the Edinburgh House of Sounds pub, had a rock ‘n’ roll wreath made especially for his funeral at Weymouth Crematorium yesterday.

Dennis, 60, loved music and his catchphrase was ‘rock ‘n’ roll.’ Father-of-two and grandfather Dennis, who was suffering failing health, died after falling down the stairs at the pub in St Thomas Street after it had closed for the night.

Wife Sue described him as a ‘gentleman.’ She said the couple had been preparing to give up the pub when tragedy struck.

A procession left the Edinburgh House of Sounds for the crematorium yesterday morning and mourners returned to the pub afterwards for a wake featuring live music and dancing.

It included a performance from singer Sheryl Lee whose first gig was at the House of Sounds almost 20 years ago.

She said: “Dennis was the one who started it all off, he was always behind live music.”