A POPULAR Greenock man who has been a mover and shaker on Inverclyde's music scene for almost 50 years has told of his pride at arranging hundreds of shows for gig-goers.

Chris Davidson is a DJ, gig and club promoter, and fanzine editor, and very well-known face across Inverclyde and beyond.

The grandfather-of-six started going to gigs in 1972 and has watched hundreds of bands perform live.

He says he feels privileged to have been able to pass his love for music onto local people over the years.

Chris, 68, said: "Music is a lifelong passion.

"I've put on hundreds of gigs and DJ'd at hundreds of venues. 

"I've had amazing experiences and met so many people through music."

Chris' first gig was Hawkwind at the City Hall in Glasgow in 1972, which cost just 80p per ticket. 

He went along with his friend Bill Morton and said the show ignited his love of live music. 

Chris added: "They were this amazing band playing space rock. 

"It was a fantastic experience, the sound, the atmosphere, the crowd, the company. 

"I just kept going after that."

The following year, Chris saw David Bowie at Green's Playhouse, and Elton John at Glasgow's Apollo - and tickets for each cost just £1. 

In his incredible record room in his home in Greenock's west end, Chris has hundreds of gig tickets on display, alongside his extensive CD and vinyl collection. 

Much of the collection was purchased from an iconic Inverclyde music store. As an enthusiastic music fan in his late twenties, Chris was thrilled when Bill Morton and Andy Clarke opened Rhythmic Records in Greenock in 1983. 

(Image: Duncan Bryceland)
Chris was the shop's first customer, buying New Order's 'Movement' LP in 1983, and its last, with his purchase of the My Bloody Valentine 'Best Of' EP in 2012. 

He says Rhythmic was a big part of his life for many years and helped him make life-long connections. 

Chris added: "It was a gathering point for people. You could have about 20 or 30 people in there on a Saturday, meeting and chatting. 

"I got to know so many people through the shop."

Meeting like-minded souls who loved music as much as he did gave Chris an idea which he turned into reality. 

He harnessed all his knowledge and tapped into his contacts to put together a fanzine called Slow Dazzle. 

Chris wrote, edited, and compiled six editions of the A4 landscape publication in 1984. 

He gave Scottish rock band The Jesus and Mary Chain their first ever interview and first ever front cover in the last issue. 

Through the fanzine, Chris met legendary BBC DJ John Peel and even got the chance to sit in the studio while he was recording a show which Chris says was a 'great honour'. 

He also got to know Alan McGee who founded Creation Records and discovered Oasis. 

A couple of years after the fanzine, Chris joined forces with Thomas 'Sheer' Taft and Paul Barr to launch the Subterraneans club night at Barrs Cottage.

(Image: Duncan Bryceland)

In 1986/87, the club hosted 30 band nights and 21 discos, and welcomed bands including The Soup Dragons, Felt, BMX Bandits and The Pastels.

Chris said: "I have so many fantastic memories and experiences from that time."

Almost 20 years after Subterraneans, Chris launched Pineapple Soul in the Loreto Club in Greenock. 

Chris brought My Latest Novel to the venue in what was billed as a 'one-off' gig, and it was such a success that the club night ran every month for four years. 

The well-known Greenock man's love of music wasn't the first love in his life. 

Chris has been going to see Morton for more than 60 years.

He added: "When I was about eight my dad took me to Cappielow to see his team, Celtic. 

"I decided that preferred the team in blue and white and have been a lifelong Morton fan ever since!"

As an avid supporter of the Ton, Chris has visited all 42 of the Scottish League grounds. 

Born in Greenock's east end in 1955, Chris has worked in various roles including as an imports controller at Clydeport, a postman, senior technical clerk, buyer, clerical assistant, and cleaner of hospital instruments. 

He is married to Theresa and the couple have three daughters Nicole, 46, Jill, 43, and Pamela, 40, and six grandkids. 

Chris says Inverclyde has always 'punched above its weight' on the music scene and that's what makes it such a magical place.

Chris added: "Musicians are always in awe of what's gone on in Inverclyde over the years. 

"There have always been great bands and club nights and there are still great things going on.

"Music has always just brought me great joy. 

"I've always been totally immersed in buying CDs, LPs, and cassettes, and I've had amazing experiences of going to see bands."