From school run by Franciscan Fathers to touring with AC/DC, Stourbridge man tells all in new book

And Barry Spencer Scrannage has now started work on a book chronicling his experiences from boyhood to playing with some of the biggest names in music.

The musician, who was born in Smethwick but now lives in Stourbridge, is looking for some help with the book and the release of archive material featuring performances by musicians such as Black Sabbath.

Mr Scrannage said he felt lucky to have grown up in the 60s when the music scene was flourishing.

He had a turbulent childhood in and out of care and at the age of eight, he left the Black Country to attend a school run by Franciscan Fathers in Dorset.

They were supportive of his interest in music and after the school provided basic drums he started playing skiffle and early rock 'n' roll strongly influenced by performers such as Lonnie Donegan.

It wasn't long before he was involved in his first band called The Shakedowns.

"Despite the name we were better known as the Bridport Beatles and played a lot of the youth clubs and village halls in the area," he said.

Beatles manager Brian Epstein even attended one of their performances to hear them play and they were invited to perform at the opening of Coventry Cathedral supporting legendary American composer American composer, pianist and jazz band leader Duke Ellington.

After leaving school, Mr Scrannage returned to the Black Country.

At a local pub, he heard The Way of Life which featured future Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham. The pair quickly became friends and when Mr Bonham left the band, Mr Scrannage took his place in the drum seat.

He later performed in a band called Merlin alongside Glen Tipton from Judas Priest and during his time on the road played at venues such as the Cavern, in Liverpool.

During the early to mid-70s, Mr Scrannage worked at Birmingham light and sound company LSD.

It was his experience in this field that led him to become a lighting technician during AC/DC's Highway to Hell tour where he became friends with the band's frontman Bon Scott and the Young brothers Angus and Malcolm.

"Although I did not realise it at the time this was the start of the next phase of my career as a musician," he said.

"Malcolm and Angus said 'why don't you form a band?' and suggested their nephew Stevie."

The band became Starfighters and released the single Heaven and Hell and I'm Falling on independent record label Motor City Rhythm Records. They were later signed up by Jive Records.

The band won a prestigious support slot on AC/DC's Back in Black tour.

But Mr Scrannage could not complete the tour after he was left devastated by the death of his old friend John Bonham.

"I just couldn't cope with it and walked out of the tour. The band carried on without me," he said.

"I am still friends with Stevie to this day."

Stevie Young became a member of AC/DC late last year to replace his uncle Malcolm who now suffers ill health.

Mr Scrannage also played on the early Blizzard of Oz session after Ozzy Osbourne left Black Sabbath.

"It was a crazy experience. I still have recordings of some of the sessions which people have never heard. I would like to get some of this material out there so it can be heard by fans," he said.

"I have already started the book which starts very early in my life.

"I have a lot of memories and a lot of stories and I want to share them."

Mr Scrannage said he had also tried his hand at acting during his career.

He said if anyone wanted to help they could contact him by e-mail at barryspencerscrannage@yahoo.co.uk