Bands in tribute gig to Kidderminster music king John Combe

From spotting the early talent of U2 to trying to break up a fight between Simple Minds and their rowdy audience – John Combe has seen it all.

He has worked with some of the world's biggest acts during his career as a music promoter spanning more than 40 years.

And now local musicians are gathering to celebrate his career at a special concert

The 66-year-old started out as a road manager for bands after moving to London in 1968 to chase his dream. He returned five years later to his home town of Kidderminster after his wife Hazel fell pregnant – and since then has staged some of the town's biggest shows.

A tribute gig is being held at Kidderminster Town Hall on October 21 featuring local bands John has helped over the years including Ballroom Glitz, Trower Power and Weak 13.

It has prompted him to look back over his career and reminisce about his early days at Kidderminster's long-gone venues.

Over the last decade John has released two volumes of a book on the history of music in the Wyre Forest area called Get Your Kicks on the A456. It is his first attempts at large-scale shows in Kidderminster that stick in his mind.

By 1981, he had organised a series of successful club nights but decided to try to attract up-and-coming bands.

Over the next three years he booked U2, Simple Minds and UB40, with thousands of fans packing into the historic venue.

U2 had just released their debut album, Boy, when they took to the town hall stage in 1980 and were years away from global success – but John said he could see their potential.

He said: "Bono was very friendly – I thanked him for coming to Kidderminster and he said he had enjoyed himself."

Simple Minds, which went on to become one of the 80s' biggest bands, reacted badly to the punk audience's habit of spitting at the acts.

"Charlie Burchill the guitarist suddenly snapped and jumped into the crowd – it was like a riot," he said.

John ran a punk night in the late 70s at the Irish Club in Green Street, which has since been knocked down. He also attracted ska fans to a regular event called Revolution at Murdoch's Wine Bar in Lion Street.

His first taste of live music came in the late 1960s helping at Frank Freeman's dancing club. One night in 1968 eccentric rocker Captain Beefheart was on the bill and DJ John Peel turned up to watch.

John has also worked with Robert Plant, originally from Kidderminster, a number of times, from his pre-Led Zeppelin days with the original Band of Joy.

For tickets to Kidderminster Rocks – a tribute to John Combe visit www.kidderminsterrocks.co.uk