I WAS intrigued to read an article a couple of weeks ago about the Garrick Club in Leigh.

I am sure the article will have brought back many memories for lots of people. I too worked at the Garrick in the 1970s. Roy Jackson approached me to become the compere/disc jockey (to replace the brilliant Roy Hastings who had gone up the ladder). It was a totally new concept in those days, in cabaret clubs at least.

Roy had heard about me on the Stax/Atlantic UK Tour -- a job I had got through being the "All Niter" DJ at the famous Twisted Wheel Club -- so I had introduced icons like James Brown, Jnr Walker, Ben E King, Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, Booker T -- just about everybody on the R&B soul scene. I also worked early spots for years at the Beachcomber in Bank Street, Preston and Leigh, with the Who Family, Spencer Davies, Geno Washington et al. So meeting "stars" definitely did not phase me.

But when Roy invited me to his Big house at Tyldesley to meet himself and the lovely Doreen, I was scared to death. He was a warm, very friendly, man and they received me with great hospitality.

But Roy had an aura about him that conveyed the fact that he did not suffer fools gladly. "I think we'll get along fine lad," were his first words after weighing me up, followed by "would you like me to make the appointment for your hair cut ... or will you sort it out yourself? See you on Sunday, we start at 7pm prompt. You'll need to be there for 6pm to acquaint yourself with Top of the Bill ... Wilma Redding! (Otis's sister!) and sort out the running order."

I arrived on Sunday, after driving like crazy, at 6.05pm.

Big crowds were already forming, the doormen standing there shaking their heads and tutting "Roy's on't warpath -- werst bin owd lad?"

Roy, Doreen, Joe and what seemed his entire family met me as I walked in. "Bobby, you owe me five minutes," said Roy.

"Welcome to The Garrick, lad. This is Ms Redding and the band leader, Fred." It was, of course, our very own Fred Shawcross, who was then a brilliant drummer with the session band.

That was about the nearest Roy and I ever got to a cross word. I went on to enjoy some great times working with greats such as The Drifters, Grumbleweeds, Joe Dolan, Tommy Cooper, Frankie Howard, Russ Abbott, Bob Monkhouse, PJ Proby, Tom Jones, Shirley Bassey, Ken Dodd -- Roy had all the biggest names in the business. Imagine. Quality, three or four-act cabaret, seven nights per week, with good food (in a basket). The Garrick Club. What a unique story!

Bobby Dee

Team Management

International Ltd

Bolton