Telegraph & Argus reader John Murphy was pleasurably surprised by our recent spread (Remember When? November 6) on Bradford band Smokie.

Mr Murphy wrote: “Purely by accident, Smokie were the first band I saw live – it was Leeds Town Hall, May 1975. I actually went to see Pilot, who were doing well in the charts at the time. Being local, Smokie were taken on as the support band.

“As it was my debut to live music, the whole night was fantastic, though the Bradford lads’ set was likely a bit heavy for the the predominantly younger audience.

“I did buy the Pass It Around album, which I really liked – in fact you’ve inspired me to get it again on CD.

“I still remember my brother attending his school leaving concert/party from Edmund Campion School – he was dressed in the classic pin stripe suit of the time, jacket lapels as wide as church doors, a slab of a tie and shirt with a massive collar, Oxford bag trousers and Noddy Holder-grade platform shoes. The classic Jason King/Peter Wyngarde personna.

“He stopped short of the hanky hanging out of the jacket pocket. The band who played that night? The Elizabethans.”

A word of explanation here. Smokie started out as The Elizabethans, dropped that name for Kindness, had second thoughts, and became Smokey.

They agreed to change their name to Smokie after representations from the American singer Smokey Robinson.

John continued: “I recently attended Graham Nash’s book launch over in Ilkley, and when one looks back to the work of The Hollies, they had a look in common with Smokie in the strength and style of songs performed.”