IF YOU’D told me, some 40 years ago, that three of the most successful bands of that magical era would still be going today, I’d have said you were having a giraffe. A large one at that.

And if you then told me that these three bands would be playing at Weymouth Pavilion all in the same week, I’d have said there’s more chance of the Tango Man with a Shredded Wheat on his head being voted president of America.

What? No way? Really? Oh right...

But it’s true. In an amazing turn of events, three of the major music movements of the 1970s - glam, soul and punk - are all represented in a series of gigs at the Pavilion.

First up, on Saturday, November 26, are the undisputed stomping giants of glam rock Slade.

Celebrating their 50th anniversary this year, they are rightly regarded as one of the most important British bands of all time, with a matchless series of smash hits, including Cum On Feel the Noize, Take Me Bak ‘Ome, Mama Weer All Crazee Now, titles which delighted a spotty oik such as me at the time and appalled despairing English teachers across the country.

Now fronted by original members Dave Hill on guitar, (who, as you can see from the picture on this page, still dresses with the same good taste and restraint for which he was renowned back in the day), and drummer Don Powell, they are still the terrific live band they always were, despite being without Jim Lea and Noddy Holder.

Jim is still making music under various pseudonyms, while Noddy can be heard hollering IT’S CHRISTMAS! in every flipping shop in every flipping town across the world every single flipping day every flipping year from August to flipping December.

Tickets for the Slade gig are £24.50 from the box office on 01305 783225.

And if all that Seventies shizzle’s not enough to sate your bizzle, Philadelphia soul legends The Stylistics are here on Thursday, December 1.

For those of you not around at the time, there are no words to describe just how huge and utterly fabulous this band were.

Their hits, such as Betcha By Golly Wow, Star on a TV Show, You Are Everything and You Make Me Feel Brand New, to name just a few, still feel as fresh and uplifting as a newly-tailored beige satin safari suit with a velvet trim.

They were at the Pavi last November and, such was the warmth of the reception they received from south Dorset’s worshipping soul boys and girls, they’re more than happy to return.

Tickets are £26.50 from the box office.

And the following night, Friday, December 2, it’s the turn of pioneering punk icons The Damned to Smash It Up (see what I did there?) at the Ocean Rooms.

Their show there last August was, for me, just sensational, and this time round they’ll be marking the 40th anniversary of their debut album Damned Damned Damned by playing it in all its glorious entirety for their first set, followed by a second half of banging choones and prog and psychedelic wig-outs.

Even after all this time, original members Dave Vanian and Captain Sensible still perform like every gig could be their last, and support comes from local heroes The Surfin’ Birds.

Tickets for this are £25 from the usual number.

Right, that’s it for this week and I’ll be carrying on the Seventies theme by regrowing me ‘fro, having a Vesta curry for me tea and then feeding me homework to the dog.

Till next time…

GIG GUIDE

TONIGHT (11)

Punk On Your Hits (Finns, Weymouth)

Martin Maton (Weymouth Working Mens Club)

The Shakespearos (Kings Arms, Weymouth)

Sheryl Lee (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

Billy Solo (Wellington, Weymouth)

Karen (Park, Weymouth)

Lewis Craven Band (Royal Portland Arms, Portland)

Blazing Strings (Gloucester, Weymouth)

Lo Numbers (Wyke Smugglers, Weymouth)

Boy Le Monti (Ropemakers, Bridport)

The Crack (The George, Dorchester)

SATURDAY (12)

Lee Memphis King (Weymouth Pavilion)

Hustle (Finns, Weymouth)

Amy Mayes (Sailors Return, Weymouth)

Retro (Weymouth Working Mens Club)

Mad Hatters (Boot, Weymouth)

Chris Woodchuck (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

The Persuaders (Wyke Regis Working Mens Club, Weymouth)

Elvis Pete and Brian (Park, Weymouth)

Blind Harvest (Wyke Smugglers, Weymouth)

Steve Nicholas (Conservative Club, Weymouth)

The Hurricanes (Centenary Club, Weymouth)

JK Duo (Gloucester, Weymouth)

The Katz (Lugger, Chickerell, Weymouth)

Craig Alexander and the Zephyrs (Boat That Rocks, Portland Marina)

Kerfuffle (Bull’s Head, Dorchester)

Milk and Two (Market House, Weymouth)

Behind Closed Doors (Ropemakers, Bridport)

Restless (Wyke Regis Social Club, Weymouth)

Alamo Duo (RBL Club, Portland)

Antigua Joe (Spice Ship, Weymouth)

Zoe Schwarz and Rob Koral (No 10, Bridport) 12.30-2.30pm.

SUNDAY (13)

Brian Donnelly (Park, Weymouth) 4pm.

Rat Pack (Wyke Smugglers, Weymouth)

C Sharp Blues (Royal Portland Arms, Portland)

Ricky Solo (Sailor’s Return, Weymouth) From 3pm.

Sheryl Lee’s Sunday Club (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth) 7pm.

Roger Mac’s Singalong (Gloucester, Weymouth)

Amy Hopwood (Belvedere, Weymouth) 4-6pm.

Fluke (Three Compasses, Charminster)

MONDAY (14)

Acoustic session (Belvedere, Weymouth)

TUESDAY (15)

Gut and Steel (Boot, Weymouth)

Ricky Solo (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

WEDNESDAY (16)

Wessex Folk Night (Sailors Return, Weymouth)

Open Mic Night (Royal Exchange, Portland)

Open Mic (Bull, Fordington, Dorchester)

Jam Night (Belvedere, Weymouth)

THURSDAY (17)

Leggomen (George, Weymouth)

Ricky Solo (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

Open Mic (George, Dorchester)

Traditional Tune Session (Cove House Inn, Portland)

Ukulele Sessions (Sailors Return, Weymouth)

FRIDAY (18)

Bleed Again, End of Days, Red Night Fields, Scars of Protest (Finns, Weymouth)

The Mighty Fine (Golden Lion, Weymouth)

Chas Roberts (Weymouth Working Mens Club)

Darren H (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

Liam Holland and the Truthseekers (Royal Portland Arms, Portland)

Billy Solo (Wellington, Weymouth)