The classic video of Queen performing "We Will Rock You" at Wembley stadium belting out from the chapel at Lake Innes Memorial Gardens is something not normally expected at a service in the building surrounded by lush gardens.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
However this was a ceremony which epitomised Michael Spooner who died aged 64 on April 30 at Port Macquarie Base Hospital 11 days after first being admitted.
Any doubts though, would have been further dispelled by the sight of his wife of 36 years Narelle Spooner who had danced professionally. She was dressed in a black top with gold sequins, her hands high above her head leading the clapping in time with Freddie Mercury's enduring performance.
People of all ages came to farewell the well-known former ABC mid-north coast breakfast presenter who was also remembered as a guitarist with a number of bands. His love of music reinforced by the six guitars, a virtual guard of honour at the front of the chapel.
Many of those attending displayed their admiration for "Spooner" by wearing clothes which would not have been out of place at a venue that Michael would have played at. A number of Beatles t-shirts, another attendee, while wearing the more traditional dark colours, offset this with an oversized silver sequined bow tie.
Spooner's friend, and former ABC colleague, Cameron Marshall wore a black and white Route 66 shirt first donned when performing with his friend at the 2015 Beatles Festival in Port Macquarie.
In between the music which included two solos of Beatles songs sung by Ann Woodland, was the eulogy by his daughter Zoe. She had people smiling and laughing despite her initially wondering if she would be able to deliver the speech which clearly demonstrated the love between father and daughter.
"I wondered whether I was brave enough to get up and talk about a man, that was really the light of my life. I knew it would be difficult, but I kept hearing this little niggling voice probably my mother saying...well as the daughter of not one but two performers, the show must go on."
Her love for her father and his passions were further demonstrated by her dressed in a striking pink jacket, the lapel adorned with numerous guitar badges given to her by her father having returned from trips overseas which usually included a pilgrimage to a "Hard Rock Cafe."
"My father was a kind hearted, unique, hilarious, gifted and intelligent one of a kind man - blessed with the ability to make anyone laugh. We had so many common interests, but mainly shared a love of nature and animals..But of course the real highlight was always watching him play music and joining him at the dog beach with Missy."
Having set the tone with Queen, given that Michael died on a Friday and the service was seven days later, there was no better way to bring the curtain down than again a rock video, the Easybeats hit, "Friday on my Mind" leaving everyone smiling.
- Michael Cavanagh was an ABC colleague and friend of Spooner's who also spent time teaching him guitar. Michael wore a shirt adorned with prints of hundreds of guitars to the service. Both Narelle Spooner and daughter Zoe complimented the shirt, but Zoe had a reservation saying that her father would not be impressed as they were all bass guitars.