Local musician’s tribute to star

It was 1990 and Warren, from Auchinloch, was watching civil rights activist and legendary soul singer Nina Simone perform at Glasgow Green in a huge circus tent.

As she played ‘Sinner Man’ she invited the starstruck youngster up on stage to dance, a memory that the musician admits “still visibly melts me when I bring it to mind”.

In the intervening years Warren has become an accomplished songwriter and currently fronts indie band ‘The Starry Skies’.

He’s now planning to pay a very personal homage to his icon - and that spine tingling moment he shared with her - when he hosts “An Evening with Nina” at The Royal Concert Hall next month.

He’ll be joined on stage by Belle and Sebastian’s Stevie Jackson playing guitar and harmonica and a host of other hand-picked musicians for what promises to be one of those rare one-off occasions that people remember for years - much like that gig he attended back in 1990.

Ahead of the event McIntyre wants to put out a call for anyone who was there in the big top tent 25 years ago and managed to capture the moment with a camera.

If you can get copies of that picture to him before the show he promises to shower you with freebies including champagne, tickets and a chance to meet the band before the show. He may even ask you to dance.

McIntyre is also keen for this to be an interactive event and if anyone has a special Nina Simone song they would like played on the night, and a personal dedication for a loved one, they can get in touch by e-mail: [email protected].

Tickets for the gig on Saturday, March 21, are available now from the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall website at www.glasgowconcerthalls.com