GREENOCK’S rich musical heritage has made its way into a top-selling book — thanks to a local DJ and promoter.

Chris Davidson, who lives in the west end, features in ‘A Scene In Between’, which looks at the UK’s indie music scene back in the 1980s.

His popular 80s fanzine Slow Dazzle — which ran for six editions and was sold to people all over the world — takes a prominent place within the book.

The cover artwork of the final edition, featuring members of Bobby Gillespie’s band The Jesus and Mary Chain, takes up two pages in the book, and author Sam Knee also pays homage to Chris.

The book says: ‘Original cover artwork for the sixth and final issue of the superb Greenock-based fanzie Slow Dazzle, the brainchild of Chris Davidson, a mover and shaker in the area.’ The author contacted Chris just six months ago for help and some input into the book — and the Greenock music-lover was thrilled to lend his support.

Since its release earlier this month, the book has so far shifted more than 7,000 hard-back copies in the UK.

It will be released worldwide next month and will be available in the United States and Japan, where it is also expected to sell well.

Chris told the Tele: “Greenock has been put on the map and this book is quite a big deal.” The fanzine also features throughout the book with references to its interviews with little known stars of the 80s who subsequently went on to great things.

One of those bands the Jesus and Mary Chain, who took centre stage in the last edition of Slow Dazzle in 1984.

The artwork was created by Greenock musician George Miller, who is now a member of The New Piccadillys.

Chris said: “I did the first ever interview with The Jesus and the Mary Chain and George Miller did the artwork but the fanzine always featured local bands too.

“The last issues also had a three-page interview with John Peel and a chat with Pat Nevin — not about football, but his taste in music — he’s a big indie fan.” Chris says Greenock’s appearance in the book is testament to the rich history and affiliation the local area has with music and bands.

He knows all about that first hand, having brought Primal Scream to the area in Bogie’s, which is now Red nightclub, in 1986.

The band also played Janey’s in Gourock and were amongst a long list of acts who came to town as part of Chris’s popular Subterranean and Pineapple Club nights.

Chris said: “Inverclyde has always punched above its weight in terms of great local music.”