Acclaimed Largs singer and songwriter Benny Gallagher believes the future is bright for the young singing talent in the local area.
After the success of Largs Players’ world premiere of the stage show ‘Caledonia USA’ last year, Benny told the audience during his homecoming performances at Lounge, that he was highly impressed with the quality of young singers in Largs and surrounding area.
Many members of the production were present, and indeed, singing along with the crowd to Gallagher and Lyle's brilliant songs including ‘Breakway’, ‘Heart on my Sleeve’ and ‘Stay Young’. McGuiness Flint songs including 'Malt and Barley Blues' and 'When I'm Dead and Gone' also received a rapturous reception.
Indeed, Benny had high praise for Largs Academy music principal Craig Smith for developing some great musical talent in the town, and said it was very heartening to see.
Benny is very much an all rounder and despite battling the dreaded lurgy, hopped between the guitar and keyboard with youthful exuberance, and recalled some of the magic moments through his career, Before the days of Simon Cowell, the likes of Gallagher and Lyle were trailblazers in the music industry, as Don Williams covered their “Stay Young”, taking it to No. 1 on the US country record chart, receiving in excess of one million airplays on American radio.
As ever, the homecoming gigs were very intimate, and it almost felt like you were sitting in Benny's front room as he looked back on a glorious career.
Starting off as an electrician in the Greenock shipyards, it was a beautiful and nostalgic trip down memory lane for Benny; it's clear that the 71 year old is showing no sign of slowing down,  and is very much staying young and keeping his wheels in motion.