BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Known for his smooth baritone, flashy outfits, and consummate showmanship, hundreds came to Kleinhan’s Music Hall to say one final thank you to Buffalo entertainment legend Lance Diamond.

"Lance is uniquely Buffalo. He had style, he had presence, he had personality, he had great talent and he always gave a great show. Always had that great smile, he always had that personality, he loved Buffalo and he loved the audience," said former Buffalo Mayor Anthony Masiello.

And his audience loved him. After a stint in the Navy, Diamond returned home and reinvented himself as the sharp dressed singer who would go on to entertain people for more than four decades.

“He is Buffalo. He basically has given hope to our minority community that they can strive and make it as far as he did,” said Deacon Wright.

But perhaps Diamond's biggest accomplishment was his ability to connect with everyone.

"He was so interesting because he bridged so many gaps. You know, he was multi-generational, multicultural, the whole thing just all came together," said Johnny Rzeznik.

More than 20-years ago Diamond struck up an unlikely friendship with Johnny Rzeznik and Robbie Takac of the Goo Goo Dolls. While the band went onto worldwide success Rzeznik says they never forgot the lessons Diamond taught them.

"He used to tell us it was show business-SHOW BUSINESS. We didn't really get that," said Takac.

"Yeah, he taught us a valuable lesson about being in the music business, which is: make sure you get paid," said Rzeznik.

Diamond died last Sunday after entering the hospital with heart problems. But many say it's his heart and undying love for music and the people of Buffalo that will be missed most.

"He was so ubiquitous and he was everywhere and he's gonna be missed by a lot of people for a long time," said Rzeznik.