HISTORY is set to repeat itself at Kidderminster Town Hall this month and one musician in particular has high hopes for the concert that will launch Wolverley author John Combe's new book, Get Your Kicks on the A456.

The Clippers' drummer, Vic Rose, is looking forward to seeing some old faces from the crowds when his band was playing in its heyday in the 1950s and 1960s.

The 65-year-old grandfather-of-five cannot wait to take to the stage at the concert on Saturday, May 21, with the band's original line-up of 66-year-old lead guitarist, Bruce McReady, 63-year-old rhythm guitarist, Morris Reeves, 67-year-old singer, Ron Horton and 61-year-old bassist Anthony Smith.

Reeves is flying over from Scotland for the concert, which runs from 8am until midnight, while art dealer McReady now has three homes in Ludlow, Cornwall and Kefalonia in Greece.

Rose, who lives in Cookley, is also looking forward to meeting up again with musicians from the other bands playing - some of whom he has not seen since the 1960s.

He told the Shuttle/Times & News the concert would bring back special memories of the times when The Clippers - who are one of the many bands featured in the book about Kidderminster's music scene between 1956 and 1972 - were performing for between £10 and £15 a gig at places like The Swan at Chaddesley Corbett and The Nautical William.

They have, of course, also played at the town hall before, he said.

"Looking back, we didn't appreciate how important the Wyre Forest music scene was, but when you start talking to people who were around in those days, you realise how far people travelled to places like The Swan," Rose added.

"I'm hoping to see lots of old faces from the past and we're really looking forward to it."

Other acts lined up to perform include The Indigo Set, fronted by Kidderminster Harriers' chairman Colin Youngjohns and a group of musicians going by the name of Kidderminster All Stars, which will include John Bryant and Paul Smith of the Stubble Brothers and former Chicken Shack bass player, Andy Sylvester.

Rose added: "There seems to be a lot going on now in Wyre Forest due to people like Robert Plant and Kevyn Gammond putting a lot of time into Kidderminster College, which is excellent.

"Young people are making their own music and I think it's great because it seems, from what I've seen in the press, that these bands are really doing something."

Tickets for the launch concert, which will raise cash for the Spinal Research Charity, are on sale at the venue, which can be contacted on 01562 732158.

They are also available from Kidderminster Library, Bewdley Books and Pete's Prints in Stourport.

The Clippers are also performing at A Gathering of Old Friends, at The Wharf Inn at Holt Fleet on Friday, June 10. Old fans or friends of the band who are interested in buying tickets for the private, ticket-only party, which will also feature Cousin Malcolm and Cousin Melven, should contact Brian Mann on 01299 822939.