Trio of former DJs dust off records for Rewind Keith night in aid of Keith Cancer Link
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A TRIO of retired north-east DJs are dusting off their records to stage a night of music nostalgia in Keith this November.
Simon Tees (56), who lives near Stonehaven, is the driving force behind the Rewind Keith fundraiser to aid Keith Cancer Link.
The last time Simon played in his former home town of Keith was at the Longmore Hall 35 years ago.
He will be back at the decks there for the one-off retro fundraiser on November 27, alongside old friends Ronnie Taylor, from Keith, and former Northsound radio DJ Cammy Campbell, from Aberdeen.
The three are putting the finishing touches to their 1970s and 1980s-inspired set lists through which they hope to transport locals back in musical time to joyful Saturday nights at "the GA" and Friday nights at Grange's Garrowood Hotel.
Meanwhile, Buckie band Sunset will wind up a near 40-year career on the local music circuit with their last ever performance on the night.
Simon said Rewind Keith would offer people a chance to relive their youth for a night.
He said: "People like to go back in time. It will be a nice, feel-good event and every penny raised will go to the charity."
He added: "My mother, Joan Tees, worked with Adeline Reid, who founded Keith Cancer Link and various other local charity support groups.
"The last time I played the Longmore Hall was probably 35 years ago at a fundraiser for the Keith Caring Service, which my mother helped to establish. There's a bit of nostalgia there for me.
"We're doing this for Keith Cancer Link because everyone has been affected by cancer in some way."
A well-kent face from his years as a DJ at the Grampian and Garrowood hotel discos, Simon added: "I did a lot of events at the Longmore Hall, as did Ronnie.
"Whenever I return to Keith I always get people asking when I'm going to do a reunion.
"The last time I was asked I said, 'If you can get another one of the local DJs from that time, Ronnie Taylor, to do it then I'll organise it', thinking full well that Ronnie would say no. But he was completely for it.
"So we set about doing this to give people a chance to reminisce, raise some money for a good cause – and probably embarrass ourselves."
Local businesses, including Simmers Contracts, Dorothy Jack's of Keith, G&S car sales, DC Securities and The Codfather, have jumped aboard to support the event, with a number sponsoring sets named after individual local nightspots.
The Ugie House Hotel is providing help with ticket sales, bar provision and door staff.
Simon was delighted with the huge support and healthy ticket sales thus far. He said: "People are really getting on board and helping us. Some say there's no community any more – well, let me assure you, there still is in Keith."
Rewind Keith will be held at the Longmore Hall on Saturday, November 27. Doors open at 7.30pm.
Tickets, costing £12.50, are on sale now from the Ugie House Hotel.
