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BBC London presenter Gary Crowley returns to The Exchange with another of his ever popular evenings of conversation and music.

Gary Crowley presents An Evening With The Bluebells

BBC London presenter Gary Crowley returns to The Exchange with another of his ever-popular evenings of conversation and music. This time featuring an acoustic trio from renowned Scottish band, The Bluebells.

Following an interview with Gary, the trio will treat us to a set that draws upon catalogue of hits spanning over 40 years.

The Bluebells

Initially The Bluebells enjoyed a whirlwind career spanning the early 1980s with a recording output including three UK hit singles. "I'm Falling", "Cath" and "Young at Heart", made with a procession of producers including Elvis Costello who became a mentor and teacher to the band. Guitarist and ex-fanzine publisher Robert Hodgens (aka Bobby Bluebell) wrote instantly memorable classics in collaboration with the two McCluskey Brothers who completed the Bluebells' essential troika and Kenneth McCluskey sang them in a likably unaffected voice, making every track count.

With the release of their debut album "Sisters" in 1984 on London Records, The Bluebells toured widely in Europe and North America developing their live sound and signing to Seymour Stein's Sire records in the U.S.

Robert and the brothers parted company amicably in 1986 with Ken and David forming and releasing records as the McCluskey Brothers whilst Robert concentrated on song writing duties for various other artists including Texas and the late Sinead O'Connor, as well as his own group The Poems.

In 1993 when "Young at Heart" hit the U.K. No 1 spot following its use as a TV advert for Volkswagon, the chaps met up for some fun Top of the Pops appearances.

The Bluebells are very pleased to be playing again, having recently received two premier Scottish Music Business Awards including "The Tartan Clef Award for Song Writing" at the star studded Nordoff–Robbins charity annual fundraiser at Glasgow Barrowlands. Following the re-release of the Classic album repackaged "Sisters" album on the Last Night From Glasgow, The Bluebells were encouraged by the label and fans to record new material which has manifested itself in the excellent new album "The Bluebells In The 21st Century" released in April 2023.

Cherry Red have also compiled a 34 track bumper CD of the Bluebells "Sisters" containing all of the favourite recordings alongside some rare out-takes from the London records catalogue.

Bobby, Ken and David are currently performing a variety of acoustic gigs as a three piece and as a full six piece line-up augmented by Campbell Owens (Aztec Camera) on Bass, Douglas MacIntyre (Love and Money/Creeping Bent Organisation) on Guitar and Mick Slaven (Bourgie Bourgie, Paul Quinn, Del Amitri) on lead Guitar.

Gary Crowley is an English broadcaster, TV presenter and DJ. While still at school in the late 1970s Gary Crowley founded the new wave fanzine "The Modern World" interviewing many of the most significant bands of the day including The Sex Pistols, The Clash and The Jam.

On leaving school in 1978 Crowley took up a junior position at Decca Records before joining the staff of the NME, taking over from Danny Baker as the telephone receptionist at their offices in Carnaby Street. At this time the weekly music paper was at the centre of the post punk explosion.

Crowley's knowledge and passion for music attracted the attention of broadcasters and in 1982 he was hired by London's independent commercial station Capital Radio, and aged 19 became the youngest radio DJ in the UK. Throughout the 1980s Gary Crowley became a prolific broadcaster / promoter, hosting regular club night where he showcased many prominent chart acts at early points in their career, including The Style Council, The Bluebells, Wham! and others. TV presenting followed and he was the main face on programmes such as Earsay, ReVid, Poparound and The Beat through the 80's and 90's.

Gary has worked within the music industry in many guises but his true love and passion is radio broadcasting. He continues to present the Saturday early evening show on Radio BBC London.

This year saw the follow up release "Gary Crowley Lost 80s 2" to the acclaimed Top 40 compilation 'Gary Crowley's Lost 80's' which again is another eclectic collection of under the radar gems from major 80s names as well as those who got away.

A long time champion of new music, he's given many new bands/artists their first taste of radio exposure, with the likes of Suede, Dodgy and Bush in particular all going onto bigger and better things.