Chris Cornell: Hollywood stars Jeremy Renner, Christian Bale and Josh Brolin gather to mourn at rock frontman's funeral

Hollywood stars and rock legends gathered to remember Chris Cornell at a somber memorial service.

Brad Pitt, Christian Bale and Josh Brolin were joined by rock royalty for the service on Friday, while dozens of fans gathered outside to play Soundgarden music from portable speakers.

Friends and family spoke of the rocker's compassion and his delight in his three children during the service.

"Chris was as melodic as The Beatles, as heavy as Sabbath and as haunting as Edgar Allan Poe," Tom Morello, Cornell's Audioslave bandmate, said during his eulogy. "The demons he wrestled with were real, but he harnessed those demons and rode them like a mother-flipping chariot of lightning strapped with Marshall stacks to make some of the greatest rock `n' roll of all time."

Linkin Park singer Chester Bennington and guitarist Brad Delson performed Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" for the crowd of mourners, including Brad Pitt, Pharrell Williams, James Franco, Christian Bale and numerous members of rock royalty, many of whom were moved to tears.

Four large portraits of Cornell were on display on a dais where Morello, actor Josh Brolin, Pearl Jam bassist Jeff Ament, film producer Eric Esrailian and Cornell's Soundgarden bandmates Kim Thayil and Matt Cameron delivered eulogies under overcast skies at Hollywood Forever Cemetery.

Cameron said he and Cornell had "so many normal dad conversations" about the Cornell kids: Christopher, Toni and Lily.

"Losing my brother and artistic soulmate will always pale in comparison with you three kids losing your dad," Cameron said. "Let it be known that I am here for you and will forever be in your lives."

Cornell's music played before the hourlong service, and afterward as guests visited his grave site in the cemetery's Garden of Legends section.

Among those paying respects were Dave Grohl of Foo Fighters; Krist Novoselic from Nirvana; Lars Ulrich and James Hetfield of Metallica; Dave Navarro and Perry Farrell of Jane's Addiction; singer-songwriter Joe Walsh; guitarist Nile Rodgers; rocker Courtney Love and Bush's Gavin Rossdale.

Scores of fans gathered outside the cemetery during the service awaiting a public viewing of Cornell's grave site later Friday afternoon.

Cornell, 52, was pronounced dead May 18 after he was found unresponsive in a Detroit hotel room hours after performing a concert with Soundgarden.

Coroner's officials said preliminary autopsy results show the singer hanged himself, but full toxicology results remain pending.

The singer's family has disputed the findings and claim Cornell may have taken more of an anti-anxiety drug than he was prescribed.

Cornell was a leading voice of the grunge movement in the 1990s. Besides Soundgarden, he scored hits as a solo artist and with bands Temple of the Dog and Audioslave.

He is survived by his wife and three children.