USHER - STARS MOURN AT LEVERT'S FUNERAL

USHER and STEVIE WONDER led the tributes to late R+B star GERALD LEVERT at a memorial service on Friday (17NOV06) in Cleveland, Ohio. Thousands of fans attended the three hour remembrance service for the tragic singer, who died earlier this month (10NOV06) aged 40. Wonder joined Levert's father EDDIE and brother SEAN in an emotional tribute to the singer, which included performances of hits DANCE WITH MY FATHER and CASANOVA in front of a framed picture of Gerald on stage. Wonder said, "I'm here for you, Gerald, because I love you. I'm here to celebrate my love." Usher said, ""When I came here, I expected to mourn. I actually cried tears of joy. He was like an uncle or a brother." Levert died at his home in Cleveland, with a preliminary autopsy showing the singer had heart disease.