MUSICIANS from the world of pop and rock have said farewell to “drummer’s drummer” Ted McKenna.

The musician, who was born in Lennoxtown, East Dunbartonshire, was given humanist send-off at Daldowie Crematorium in South Lanarkshire.

The ceremony was attended by figures from his musical past including Zal Cleminson of the Sensational Alex Harvey Band, former Marillion frontman Fish and Chris Glen of the Michael Schenker Group.

The packed service yesterday, where several people were forced to stand, was also attended by close family and friends.

His tearful son Casey paid tribute to his father “big Ted” before Ted’s cousin played ‘Ae fond kiss’ on acoustic guitar at the end of the ceremony. He said: “When my sister Laura and I were growing up, dad was away a lot on tour and would bring us gifts back from wherever he was.

“Our friends would ask what he did for a living and but I don’t think they would have believed us if we had told them.

“When I was about 12 we took him riding. Can you imagine big Ted on the back of a horse?

“Laura and I have great memories of the time we spend with Ted.”

Gerry McAvoy, of Band of Friends, latterly performed with the drummer said: “He was loved in this life and he will be loved in the next life.”

The service was also attended by nightclub boss Donald Macleod, harmonica player Fraser Spiers and Jools Gizzi, of Glasgow band Gun.

Edward ‘Ted’ McKenna died on January 19, aged 68, of a haemorrhage during an operation for a hernia.