Thousands of fans gathered in Dyserth, Wales, on Thursday to celebrate the life of Mike Peters, frontman of the iconic rock band The Alarm, who passed away last month at age 66.
Peters, a renowned charity fundraiser, succumbed to an aggressive form of lymphoma after a 30-year battle with cancer, a fight that included diagnoses of lymphoma in 1995 and subsequent chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
The funeral service, a vibrant tribute reflecting Peters’ life, featured performances by fellow musicians including Billy Duffy of The Cult. His widow, Jules, described the event as a “rock and roll festival,” a fitting send-off for the beloved artist.
The Alarm, formed in 1981, achieved significant success, selling five million albums and garnering 15 Top 40 hits, including “68 Guns” and “Rain In The Summertime.”
Outside the church, the crowd chanted “going out in a blaze of glory” as a recording of The Alarm played. A sea of denim, camouflage, band t-shirts, and flags replaced somber attire, reflecting the spirit of the occasion.
More than 2,000 fans watched a poignant recording of Peters discussing his cancer journey on a giant screen before a smaller, more intimate service inside the church.
Jules Peters, accompanied by their sons and family, expressed her gratitude to the assembled mourners.
James Chippendale, co-founder of Peters’ charity Love Hope Strength, aptly described the event as “very, very Mike Peters,” capturing the spirit of the unique celebration.
Fans traveled from around the globe, including Lily Elsayed from New Jersey, a superfan since the 1980s, who had even spent Christmas with the Peters family as a teenager. Many attendees shared similar stories of their connection to Peters and his music.
Other attendees included Donna and Marcus Hill, with Marcus recounting a memorable moment of playing Peters’ guitar, and Mandy and Darren Mander, with their daughter Charlotte, who spoke of their longstanding friendship with the family.
The service concluded with heartfelt tributes from friends, musicians, and family, including Eddie Macdonald of The Alarm, Slim Jim Phantom of the Stray Cats, and Billy Duffy of The Cult, culminating in a moving “minute of noise” initiated by The Alarm’s tour manager.
Reverend Gregor Lachlann-Waddell perfectly summarized the event as a fitting tribute to a life defined by music, resilience, and enduring hope.
Jules Peters expressed her appreciation for the outpouring of support and noted that Peters’ ashes would be buried in the churchyard, ensuring his legacy remains close to his community and fans. Tributes poured in from fellow rock icons including the Manic Street Preachers, Simple Minds, and U2.
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