THREE talented musicians - including a chart-topping bassist - are bringing the sounds of their new band to Bradford in their first concert.

Bradford-born Michael Jackson, who lives in Bingley, played bass guitar with the band Love Affair which had a string of top ten hits, including six seeks at number one in 1968 with the song Everlasting Love.

Now a grandfather, he teamed up with Bingley-based guitarist and music producer Dave Johnson, who was also born in Bradford, and who recently worked in a Bowie tribute band Speed Jive and in the nationally renowned theatre show That’ll be the Day.

Calling their band 69, to reflect the period that Michael dubs “the ultimate year in the British music industry, the pair recorded a selection of songs which they co-wrote, producing an album 69 One More Time.

They were joined by Keighley-born Alastair Harnby - also a Bingley resident - who played in a number of rock bands in the early 1980s including the Bingley band ‘Exit 13.’

Now they are gearing up for their inaugural concert in May at the live music and entertainment venue The Octagon in Bradford Road, Sandbeds, Keighley. Their performance will be a mixture of their own material as well as updated 60’s rock/blues classic.

“We rehearse at least twice a week, mostly at Dave’s recording studio in Bingley,” says Alastiar. “We now have a full set which is concert-ready. We have rediscovered the wild days of the 60s and have at least two cups of tea each at every rehearsal.

“We all bring something different to the group and are just enjoying working, laughing and playing together. We are excited about our debut concert.”

Says Michael: “I am really happy to be back in the music business and to not only be working with two great musicians, but two very good friends. There is also an amazing coincidence in that the last gig I played in Bradford in the 1960s was with local band ‘The Spell’ at the Rishworth Club, a few hundred yards from The Octagon.”

Adds Dave: “My music career has gone full circle and I am back where I started when I was 17, playing 60’s influenced blues/rock with two great musicians. I couldn’t be any happier.”

Local soul band Bittersweet is supporting at the concert, which 69 sees as a springboard into performing at further concerts. “We plan to do a gig every month,” says Alastair. “We also plan to rehearse our next single ‘A Better Way’, which was written by Michael and David.

*The concert takes place tonight at 7.30pm. For more information visit theoctagonlive.com or ring 01274 562252.