A jack of all trades and master of all too!

In his column, which he describes as a ‘stramash in the goalmouth of Rock ‘n’ Roll,’ the celebrated songwriter, producer and manager, JOHN McLAUGHLIN, shares with us his insights into the music and entertainment world.

THIS month, I sat down with the King of Glasgow, the guru of the city’s live entertainment and hospitality sector—not to mention one of the funniest guys you’ll ever meet—Donald MacLeod. I asked him about his 40 years of work in the industry, his fight to save hospitality and of course his love of Ireland. Here’s what he had to say.

Job title?

Ha! I have many jobs, roles and responsibilities, so much so at times it feels like I’m spinning more plates than an overworked potter. With more than 40 years’ experience, I am, to all intents and purposes, a live music and hospitality industry veteran.

I am the managing director of the Holdfast Entertainment Group, which owns two of Glasgow’s most iconic and world-famous nightclubs/live music venues, The Garage and Cathouse Rock Club and also the top impresario of Scotland’s live music promoters CPL, which has promoted famous names across Scotland, indoors and out, such as Oasis from 1994-2009, including their legendary shows at Loch Lomond, which will live forever. Lana Del Ray, Panic! At the Disco, Fall Out Boy, Anthrax, Pearl Jam, Deftones, Huey & The Fun Lovin’ Criminals, Prince, 50 Cent, Black Stone Cherry, The Cult, Deftones, NiN, Rammstein, Moby, Queens of the Stone Age, Tom Meighan, The Almighty, Ricky Warwick, GUN and of course The Bay City Rollers to name but a few.

I have also been the chairman of the groundbreaking charity Nordoff & Robbins Music Therapy in Scotland (NRS) for more than 20 year. It’s a charity that aims to change lives using the power of music for the most vulnerable and isolated members of the community who suffer from a wide range of disabilities, physical, mental, and those on the autism spectrum, suffering from terminal illness or dementia.

I am also now the NRS events chair, responsible for hosting the annual Scottish Music Awards—now in its 27th year—a vital fundraiser for the charity, supported by the Scottish music industry and a plethora of great Scottish acts such as: Rod Stewart, Midge Ure, Amy MacDonald, Lewis Capaldi, Hue and Cry, Emili Sandé, Paolo Nutini, Texas, Simple Minds, Biffy Clyro and Twin Atlantic, again to name but a very few.

I am also the proud owner of two beautiful campsites—Cashel at Loch Lomond and Glenmore, Loch Morlich, Aviemor—as well as the Convenor of Glasgow Licensing Forum, outspoken columnist and media commentator, severe critic of both the Scottish and UK Governments’ economic policies—which I believe are fiscally incompetent and tantamount to economic vandalism—and a very vocal supporter of Scotland’s ailing hospitality sector and night-time economy.

All of which has seen me cancelled more times than a P&O Ferry!

Told you I was busy, but it’s not bad for someone who was expelled from school, and who as a fledgling guitarist in 1979 supported the Clash at the legendary Glasgow Apollo.

Fight to save hospitality

During the pandemic I, along with a few others, found myself becoming a strong voice in support of Scotland’s beleaguered hospitality sector, night-time industries and grassroots music scene. Believing strongly that these major employers and immense contributors to the national economy were being ignored and treated with contempt by incompetent governments and local authorities.

We still believe that and it worries me greatly that as the economy continues to tank across the UK, and as the situation worsens, sectoral job losses and closures are now reaching record highs and without significant government investment in the form of rates relief, a large VAT reduction, and a complete reversal of the recent employers’ National Insurance rises look set to climb even further, pushing thousands of operators over the edge of the abyss.

I don’t believe Ireland has these problems—it still has a heartbeat—but in Scotland it feels like we are on life support and this accelerating cycle of doom created by elected economic illiterates, now threatens the very existence of hundreds of grassroots clubs, pubs and music venues across not just Scotland but the whole of the UK, all of which are the cultural lifeblood of the music industry, the stomping grounds of new talent, and as such I will continue along with organisations such as the Music Venue Trust and NTIA to strongly oppose this wanton destruction.

The sound of music must never be replaced by the sound of silence in these vital cultural hubs.

Rocking and rolling together

I’ve known my great friend John McLaughlin aka Johnny Mac—or as I like to call him Mr Benn, due to the amount of bands he now plays for and changes of outfits he has to carry out—for nigh on 30 years and without blowing any smoke up his little pert posterior, I can honestly say he is one of the most industrious, infectious and instantly

likeable people I have ever met in this industry. It’s a shallow pool to choose from I know, but he really is a dynamo and an absolute pleasure to be around, and, as you know a diehard Celtic fan, which is no bad thing either.

I first worked with him when he picked, along with my pal Roberto, version of Stand Up For the Champions for a Celtic CD he was producing back in 2003/2004, which became a bit of an anthem at Celtic Park during the Martin O’Neill years and beyond.

While remaining firm friends, we didn’t fully collaborate properly until 2015/16 when I co-promoted the incredible Bay City Rollers UK reunion tours (above), which was a total shock to the nervous system. I’m now delighted be back working with him on the new smash hit musical Rollers Forever, which has rolled through an extended sell-out run at The Pavillion in Glasgow. It’s a truly magical show that we hope to bring to Ireland in the near future as part of the team which set up the Party at The Palace boutique festival in Linlithgow, which has pushed brilliant new acts such as Laurie Wright and Glasgow’s very own homegrown Yellowstone, Kevin McGuire.

Love of Ireland

I have been to Ireland many, many times. Indeed, my wife Pauline was born in Limavady, and I have a great many friends living there, particularly in Derry. The Scottish and Irish cultures, even the landscapes and weather, are similar. We both enjoy a great craic, the sound of our own voice and have music and melodies coursing through our veins.

At this point I’d like to pay tribute to my dearly missed friend, one of the Emerald Isle’s greatest sons, worldwide agent to the stars, Stephen John Strange, who sadly passed away in 2021 and who I believe should be posthumously celebrated and recognised for his global achievements and support of his homeland. Steve helped make the Limelight in Belfast the iconic venue it now is. He helped build and promote acts such as Ash, Snow Patrol, Therapy? Stiff Little Fingers, Dea Matrona and Ricky Warwick, as well as Coldplay, Saxon, Eminem and Queens of the Stone Age. The impact Steve Strange had on the Irish, UK and worldwide music industry is immeasurable, yet there has been little or no mention or even a plaque erected in his honour, and that should change. I hope to get back over soon. Sláinte!