AN American rock star, DJ, broadcaster, producer, and author who has strong Scottish connections is bringing his own brand of cool to Greenock. 

The original Fun Lovin' Criminal Huey Morgan will present an evening of music and conversation at the Beacon Arts Centre on October 9. 

Huey is best known as the former frontman of the Fun Lovin' Criminals, and for presenting The Huey Show on BBC Radio 6 Music every Saturday morning. 

At the Beacon, the former Marine will be telling stories, answering questions from fans, and playing original songs he penned and produced when he was a part of the band. 

(Image: Philip Verhaege)
Huey, 55, said he always looks forward to playing in Scotland as he has a strong familial connection to the country. 

He added: "I love coming to Scotland. My dad's side of the family are Scottish. 

"My mum did some ancestry research and found that out, so I've got that going for me which is nice. 

"We're playing The Garage in Glasgow in September and we've played the Barrowlands before.

"I'm looking forward to seeing the Beacon for the first time."

Huey grew up on the lower east side of New York in the 1970s and 1980s, and started DJing in clubs after he left the Marine Corps. 

The Fun Lovin' Criminals released six studio albums between 1996 and 2010 and sold more than 10 million records. 

Huey left the band in 2021 and is now managed by Scottish music boss Alan McGee who discovered Oasis. 

He said he's very excited to be out playing intimate shows where he can connect with his fans. 

Huey added: "I'm really psyched to be able to do these types of shows. 

"I've been off playing live for four years now, so this is a great way to reintroduce myself. 

"It's going to be a really intimate situation and will be a great way for us to reconnect. 

"I make the audience feel like they’re the most important part of the equation. 

"It's going to be much more in-depth and one-on-one."

Huey says the shows will be a prelude to a new record which he'll be releasing next year. 

The songwriter and producer added: "Every Fun Lovin' Criminals song is a story about my life. 

"People will hear stories of my career directly from me. 

"I won't give the same performance twice, every show will be different.

"People will be able to ask me questions and I'll get to play my songs."

(Image: Huey Morgan)
Huey is playing some full-band shows across the UK as well but says they sit completely separately from the 'in conversation' events. 

He said people are starting to really enjoy live music again in the aftermath of coronavirus. 

Huey added: "People of my generation don't tend to have their phones out and are actually looking around them.

"They're actually having a good time and they're surprised that it's happening again. 

"You have to let people be people, and 90 per cent of people want to have a good time. 

"Things have become digital and distant but these shows will be really human shows and will show people that they matter."

Huey said he's excited about sharing his Marine Corps and rock star stories with the Greenock audience and meeting his fans. 

He added: "All the rock star stuff is hilarious. I'll tell all the stories I can't tell on the radio.

"It's going to be a very unique, singular experience with me."

To book visit the centre here or call 01475 723723.