Snoop Dogg, Warren G lead mourners at Nate Dogg's funeral

(CBS/AP) West Coast rap artists Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre and Warren G were among the many friends, family and about 1,000 fans who attended rap star Nathaniel "Nate Dogg" Hale's memorial service in Long Beach, Calif., on Saturday.

The Grammy-nominated hook singer died March 15 at age 41 of complications from multiple strokes.

Rapper Nate Dogg is dead at 41

The ceremony was held at the Queen Mary Dome in Hale's hometown of Long Beach. His family decided not to have it open to the public as they previously wanted, but they made 1,000 tickets and shuttles available to fans.

Organizers had sought a more central location for the funeral, but none proved large enough for the numbers of expected mourners. A private dinner was planned after the service.

Hale started out singing in church choirs, then formed a group with Snoop Dogg and Warren G while the trio was in high school in Long Beach.

He first found success on Dr. Dre's 1992 masterpiece "The Chronic" and later earned the first of four Grammy nominations in 1995 for "Regulate," a collaboration with Warren G.

"1986, Poly High School, that's where we connected for the first time," Snoop said of his friend, according to MTV News. "We didn't know each other, but the music connected us. We built a brotherhood, a friendship."

"We been through a whole lot and that was my dog," reflected Warren G. "He stayed down with me from the bottom to the top. I didn't ever think I would have to sit at a funeral for one of my dogs. All I can say is that was my friend, me him and Snoop was 213 from the balls to the walls. The music industry lost an incredible artist."

Rap artists The Game, DJ Quik, and Mack-10 were also in attendance.

Snoop Dogg has helped set up the Nate Dogg Memorial Trust, with all proceeds going to the late hip-hop star's family and memorial expenses. More information on donations can be found here.