A chance meeting in a remote Scottish village has led to an exciting record deal for a Bingley-based band.

Michael Jackson, bass player and singer with the three-piece band 69 was holidaying in Scotland with his wife Patricia when they stopped at a café.

Inside was a visitor’s book entitled ‘Why I’m famous’, inviting guests to contribute. Michael, a former member of the band Love Affair which had a number one hit with the single ‘Everlasting Love’ was being encouraged by Patricia to leave his name when the café owner stepped in.

“She said her new neighbour was in the music business and popped to the cottage next door to fetch him,” says Michael.

Her neighbour happened to be legendary Los Angeles-based music producer Gerry Gallagher who has worked with all-time greats including Frank Sinatra, Phil Collins, Elton John and Stevie Wonder.

“We chatted for about two hours,” says Michael. The outcome was a partnership between Gerry and 69, which will see the band - Michael, guitarist Dave Johnson and drummer Alastair Harnby - not only sign to his Sounds of Los Angeles (SOLA) label, but feature on his soon-to-be-released compilation album of modern-retro arrangements of epic hits from the 1960s and 1970s.

“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to be working with Gerry,” says Michael. “He has had a huge influence over the shape and sound of music over the last five decades working with artists such as Led Zeppelin, ACDC, Aerosmith and Santana, and many others. He had already got 11 tracks for the new album and the final one will be us performing Everlasting Love.”

The hit is one of the best-selling singles of all time. Adds Michael: “It is one of Gerry’s favourite tracks and for some time he has wanted to include a rearrangement of the classic on his latest album due to be released in January 2018.”

The band is already working on the track in their Bingley studio alongside their latest original psychedelic rock tracks which are to be released and distributed through Sony Music later this year on the SOLA label.

Gerry says: “I am always drawn to and interested in bands that exhibit the excitement and magic of the 1960s through to the early 1980s.

“In my opinion, this period in time was the renaissance of rock music. I was delighted to come across a band that fills me with nostalgic emotion yet they are full of modern day appealing music.”

Not only does Gerry want to produce and record 69’s upcoming singles, EP and album, he also wants to support the band with prominent exposure on his Rock Radio networks around the world, and to back that up with live tours to key markets in the US, Europe and the Far East.

Gerry, who was born in Scotland, was delighted that this new opportunity was triggered by a “pure chance meeting” he had with Michael.

Local fans will be able to see the 69 at a series of West Yorkshire gigs where they will be able to hear a first airing of some of their new material. These include: August 25, The Exchange Live Music Venue, Keighley; August 26th, Harley Davidson Bikers Festival, The Bulls head , Baildon.

*Further Information is available on 69’s website 69music.co.uk. Their music can be accessed at itunes, Deezer, Spotify and itunes; email the band at 69bluesrock@gmail.com

*An interview with the band and Gerry Gallagher can be heard at ‘On air with Gerry’ on WROCKRadio.com.