Big Vern N The Shootahs
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Big Vern n the Shootahs played their first gig on Saturday 28th October 1989. Here's how it all started.
On 3rd January 1989, 21-year-old Iain Gourlay died within Glasgow’s Southern General Hospital after contracting Meningitis.
In the months following his death, his friends got together and wondered how they could raise funds for the Institute of Neurology at the Southern General Hospital who had cared for Iain in his final days. Everybody knew Iain loved the Blues Brothers, the music, the film and having a great time. His friend Pete Smith put together a charity fund raising night at the Glasgow School of Art and a Blues Brothers band was formed to play at the party.
A bunch of musicians were put together in a rehearsal studio in Glasgow. A horn section was drafted in from a big band, led on trombone by Iain Gourlay’s father. 8 songs from the Blues Brothers film were rehearsed and the first gig was out of this world!!! The band had so many encores, they played those 8 songs twice. Something special had taken place and whilst in the dressing room, they were offered their second gig. Big Vern n the Shootahs were born……and gigs flowed in.
With Blues Brothers roots, the band were amazed to be asked to support the original Blues Brothers band from the film when they toured Scotland. The original musicians including Steve Cropper, Donald Dunn, Lou Marini et al loved what the Big Vern Band did and gave their seal of approval on their performance. The band have also been asked to support major artists on their gigs, including; The Commitments, Eddie Floyd and even the great Chuck Berry (but that's a whole other story.....)
Over the years the band have supported many causes and have been used at some amazing events such as the Commonwealth Games (performing live on the BBC), the Champions League final, the European Football Championships, World Cup parties. They have travelled extensively across the UK and Internationally – and are the house band of the British expat community in Malaysia!
This band are a group of friends, who for over 36 years have been having fun, playing in one of Scotland’s finest and most loved live bands. They have played over 2600 live shows, made two live albums, various EP’s and have helped raised a staggering £24 million for charities the length and breadth of the UK and overseas.
On 3rd January 1989, 21-year-old Iain Gourlay died within Glasgow’s Southern General Hospital after contracting Meningitis.
In the months following his death, his friends got together and wondered how they could raise funds for the Institute of Neurology at the Southern General Hospital who had cared for Iain in his final days. Everybody knew Iain loved the Blues Brothers, the music, the film and having a great time. His friend Pete Smith put together a charity fund raising night at the Glasgow School of Art and a Blues Brothers band was formed to play at the party.
A bunch of musicians were put together in a rehearsal studio in Glasgow. A horn section was drafted in from a big band, led on trombone by Iain Gourlay’s father. 8 songs from the Blues Brothers film were rehearsed and the first gig was out of this world!!! The band had so many encores, they played those 8 songs twice. Something special had taken place and whilst in the dressing room, they were offered their second gig. Big Vern n the Shootahs were born……and gigs flowed in.
With Blues Brothers roots, the band were amazed to be asked to support the original Blues Brothers band from the film when they toured Scotland. The original musicians including Steve Cropper, Donald Dunn, Lou Marini et al loved what the Big Vern Band did and gave their seal of approval on their performance. The band have also been asked to support major artists on their gigs, including; The Commitments, Eddie Floyd and even the great Chuck Berry (but that's a whole other story.....)
Over the years the band have supported many causes and have been used at some amazing events such as the Commonwealth Games (performing live on the BBC), the Champions League final, the European Football Championships, World Cup parties. They have travelled extensively across the UK and Internationally – and are the house band of the British expat community in Malaysia!
This band are a group of friends, who for over 36 years have been having fun, playing in one of Scotland’s finest and most loved live bands. They have played over 2600 live shows, made two live albums, various EP’s and have helped raised a staggering £24 million for charities the length and breadth of the UK and overseas.
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Where is it happening?
15 Shuttle Street, PA1 1YD Paisley, United Kingdom, 10 Shuttle Street, Paisley, PA1 1YD, United Kingdom
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
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Host or PublisherThe Bungalow
