Former Stereophonics drummer Stuart Cable laid to rest

yesterday laid to rest - as his favouite rock anthem blared out.

Welsh showbiz pals including the band's singer Kelly Jones, actor Rhys Ifans, comics Rob Brydon and Max Boyce, plus the Dirty Sanchez TV stars paid their last respects.

And Stuart's close friend Gwyn Davies said: "I'd like to think Stuart's son Cian realises that every time he hears thunder it's his dad playing the drums and watching over him.

"He was my best friend but also everyone else's best friend. You only have to look around here to see how much he Jmeant to people."

The coffin, bearing the lightning flash logo of his Aussie rock heroes AC/DC was carried to the hearse as their heavy metal classic Back in Black was blasted out through loudspeakers.

Several hundred fans had lined the streets of Aberdare, Rhondda Cynon Taf, as four black horses pulled the glass carriage.

Band frontman Kelly said: "It's hard to walk out crying when they're playing Back in Black. This was a celebration of Stuart's life."

Stuart's mum Mabel, 79, wiped away tears as mourners sang Welsh hymns Calon Lan, Cwm Rhondda and the Welsh national anthem, while heartbroken girlfriend Rachel Jones, 30, hugged his relatives and friends outside St Elvan's Church.

The Outlaws and the Valley Commandos bikers, with whom Cable used to ride, formed his final escort.

Dad-of-one Stuart, 40, was found dead on June 7 at his home in the town after a heavy drinking session.

Police await toxicology results to give the exact cause of death.

(A Top Story) Stereophonics' Stuart Cable Dead at 40

A top story Stereophonics' Stuart Cable Dead at 40. Here it is again: (Rock Radio) Former Stereophonics drummer Stuart Cable has been found dead in his home. The 40 year old, of Aberdare, had been due to play Download 2010's Pepsi Max Stage on Saturday with new band Killing For Company. An album was scheduled for release to coincide with the festival gig.
Cable was a founder member of the Welsh five-piece in 1992, before being sacked by the band in 2003 for spending too much time on other projects.
He hosted his regular rock show on BBC Radio Wales on Saturday night as normal, while his former bandmates played Cardiff City stadium. He was found in the early hours of Monday morning

Stuart Cable Facebook group aims for Stereophonics number one

he tribute group has already attracted over 1,500 members after being put together in the wake of news that Cable had been found dead at the age of 40.

Fans are urged to download the Stereophonics tune in a bid to reach the 30,000 mark and climb to the top of the chart.

'I have every confidence this will happen. A fitting mark of respect,' comments one member of the group.

'Gutted that Stuart has gone, Stereophonics weren't the same after he'd left!' adds another.

'A beautiful song for a wonderful person - Stuart will be sadly missed by many people,' comments another fan.

Russ Burt, creator of the page, says he was inspired by the flow of Facebook tributes that appeared on the social networking site as news of Cable's death spread.

He chose Local Boy in the Photograph because the song is about friends remembering someone who has passed away.

Ex-Stereophonics drummer Stuart Cable dies at 40; police say no suspicious circumstances

Stuart Cable, the former drummer with the British rock band Stereophonics, has died at the age of 40.South Wales Police say Cable was found early Monday at his home in the town of Aberdare, 165 miles (265 kilometers) west of London.The force says the cause of death has not been determined, but there are no suspicious circumstances.Cable co-founded Stereophonics with singer Kelly Jones in the early 1990s. The band had a string of British top 10 hits, including "Have a Nice Day."Cable left the group in 2003 amid reports of conflicts with band mates.He recently formed a new band, Killing for Company, and worked as a broadcaster.