Who played here in history:

10 years ago

Nine Below Zero - Mr Smiths, Bournemouth (4.8.98)

The Snakes - Mr Smiths, Bournemouth (7.8.89): Various ex-members of Whitesnake line up in gloriously pokey Poole Hill venue

15 years ago

Max Bygraves - Winter Gardens, Bournemouth (5.8.93): The first of three Max appearances in Rock of Ages this week!

20 years ago

Danny La Rue + Wayne King - Pavilion Theatre, (8.8.88)

25 years ago

Bier Keller + Ian Schmidt & his Oompah Band - Pavilion Theatre, Bournemouth (4.8.83)

Mike Yarwood + Brotherhood of Man - Winter Gardens (6.8.83):

Summer season

Max Bygraves - Pavilion Theatre, Bournemouth (7.8.83)

The Nolans - Poole Arts Centre (8&9.8.83)

The Tremeloes - Pavilion Ballroom, Bournemouth (10.8.83)

30 years ago

Jumbo Route - Chequers Inn, Lytchet Matravers (5.8.78)

Trix - Chequers Inn, Lytchett Matravers (6.8.78)

Lulu + Jess & Geoff + Del Derrick - Winter Gardens, (6.8.78)

Peters & Lee - Pavilion Theatre, (6.8.78)

Mission Impossible - Chequers Inn, Lytchet Matravers (7.8.78): And 30 years on, the local covers band is still going strong!

Jimmy James & the Vagabonds - Village Bowl, Bournemouth (8.8.78)

The Freshly Layed Band - White Buck Inn, Burley (10.8.78): Surviving today as The Agency

Mixed Breed - Le Cardinal, Bournemouth (10.8.78)

35 years ago

Nellie - Halfway Hotel, Parkstone (4.7.73)

The Ray Holtham Trio - Starlight Club, Bournemouth (4.8.73)

Mike & Bernie Winters - Winter Gardens, (5.8.73)

Phillip Goodhand Tait - Chelsea Village, Bournemouth (8.8.73): DJ for the night was none other than John Peel

Johnny Hillyard - Maison Royale, Bournemouth (10.8.73)

Pete Franklin - Chequers Inn, Lytchet Matravers (10.8.73)

40 years ago

Max Bygraves - Winter Gardens, Bournemouth (4.8.68)

Robin Hall + Jimmy McGregor - Pavilion Theatre, Bournemouth (4.8.68): Summer season Millie - White Buck Inn, Burley (4-6.8.68): Week-long residency for the My Boy Lollipop popstrel

The Tension - The Ritz, Bournemouth (6.8.68)

The Spencer Davis Group - The Ritz, (7.8.68): Although Steve Winwood had left to form Traffic the previous summer, the SDG carried on (rejecting a certain Reg Dwight as Winwood's replacement) until October 1968

Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich + Lord Maurice + The Baloons - Pavilion Ballroom, Bournemouth (7.8.68)

45 years ago

Johnny Fortune & the Nightflyters - Le Disque A Go Go, Bournemouth (4.8.63)

Mike Devon & the Diplomats - Bure Country Club (4.8.63): The Bournemouth beat scene regulars who supported The Beatles featured the late Geoff McKeon on guitar. His son Scott is big news on the blues scene and opened for Eric Clapton in Hyde Park earlier this summer

Billy Fury + The Tornados + Bert Weedon + Jackie Trent + The Hollies - Winter Gardens, (4.8.63)

Gene Vincent + Heinz + The Outlaws + The Saints + The Bachelors - Gaumont, Bournemouth (4.8.63)

Tommy Cooper +Millicent Martin + Kaye Sisters - Pavilion Theatre, Bournemouth (4.8.63)

Summer season

The Tonnetts - Bure Country Club (5.8.63)

The Rhythm Section - The Ritz, Bournemouth (5 & 9.8.63)

Clive Lythgue & his Romantic Strings - Pier Theatre, Bournemouth (5.8.63)

Gerry Brown's Jazzmen + The Downtown Syncopators - The Jazz Boat (7.8.63)

Dave La Kaz & the G-Men - Le Disque A Go Go, Bournemouth (8.8.63)

The Fredrals + Zoot Money + Tony Blackburn & the Rovers + Jim Pennel Jumpmen - Le Disque A Go Go, (9.8.63)

50 years ago

Tommy Steele - Winter Gardens, Bournemouth (4.8.58)

Bon Monkhouse + Beverley Sisters + Denis Goodwin - Winter Gardens, (7.8.58):

Summer season

Ted Heath & his Orchestra - Pavilion Theatre, Bournemouth (10.8.58)

Presented in association with The Bournebeat, a music-themed hotel, bar and restaurant opening soon at 12 Priory Road, Bournemouth. Share your memories of these and other local gigs at thebournebeat@hotmail.co.uk