A Malvern rock fan is looking for local memories of Black Sabbath in action, for a book that is due to come out next autumn.

In fact, the industrious Chris Sutton of Pound Bank Road, Barnards Green, has two books coming out, and the other is also about an icon of rock, Alice Cooper.

But first of all, Mr Sutton is asking local people to take a musical walk down Memory Lane, to over half a century ago, when a newly-named band started to tune up at the Malvern Winter Gardens, and what a special gig it proved to be.

A legend was born that late summer night.

Mr Sutton explained: "The reason I am writing is because Black Sabbath's first gig under that name was at Malvern Winter Gardens on August 30, 1969."

Mr Sutton is seeking adverts or reviews of that performance, and he is also looking for enduring memories.

He said: "I am looking for people who saw Sabbath in Malvern. After all, the drummer, Bill Ward, lived in Cradley for a time."

Mr Sutton said of his Sabbath quest: "I have just finished my first music related book which is on Alice Cooper in the 1970s. That is due out in March 2021. The publisher, Sonic Bond, loved the final draft and asked me if I could do another book so I asked if could do the band I 'grew up with'; which was Black Sabbath. I was born in Birmingham and have always loved rock music. Black Sabbath always felt very much like 'our' band if you were from the city.

"The Black Sabbath book will cover their early years as Earth, through their time as Black Sabbath until Ozzy Osbourne left in 1979."

The classic line-up included Geezer Butler, Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iomni and Bill Ward, and their appearance in Malvern was not a one off.

Mr Sutton said: "They played the Winter Gardens several times. I would like to hear from anyone who saw the band, or have memorabilia and photographs of Black Sabbath."

The Sabbath book is due out in October 2021 and it will be launched at Carnival Records in Malvern.

The Alice Cooper book is out in March and will also be launched at Carnival.

Mr Sutton can be contacted at: vcgcbham@yahoo.co.uk