Largs-born music legend Benny Gallagher returns to Ayrshire for two shows in October at Irvine's Harbour Arts Centre.


After being signed to Apple Records by the Beatles as a writer in 1968, Benny came to prominence as part of McGuinness Flint who scored a massive hit in 1970 with When I'm Dead and Gone, written by Benny and Graham Lyle. That band went on to score a second top twenty hit with Malt and Barley Blues, another Gallagher and Lyle song.
On leaving McGuinness Flint, Gallagher and Lyle had a string of international hits in their own right such as I Wanna Stay With You and Heart on my Sleeve.
Along with Graham Lyle, Benny was responsible for writing hit records for other artists such as Art Garfunkel who covered Breakaway and seventies country superstar Don Williams who had a No. 1 U.S. hit with their song Stay Young. Simon and Garfunkel's 1981 Concert in Central Park featured the Gallagher and Lyle composition A Heart in New York.
Accompanying Benny at Harbour Arts Centre will be Jim Prime, best known as the highly accomplished keyboard player in Scotland's own Deacon Blue. Jim has also played with Altered Images, John Martyn and French Superstar Johnny Hallyday.
Backing vocals will be provided by the sensational acapella group Juniper Three, who will bring their superb harmonies to Benny's songs. Completing the line-up is Ayrshire-based musician Mick Lamont on bass and guitar.
Tickets for Benny's gigs at Harbour Arts Centre, Irvine, on 7th and 8th October can be obtained from www.ticketsource.co.uk