MUSICIAN Michael Jackson is linking up with his former Love Affair band member for a concert in Keighley.

Mr Jackson, of Bingley, played bass guitar with Love Affair, which had a string of top ten hits, including six weeks at number one in 1968 with the song Everlasting Love.

After decades running his own automotive businesses, Michael returned to the music industry, forming the band 69 with Bingley-based guitarist and music producer, Dave Johnson, and Keighley-born Alastair Harnby, who also now lives in Bingley.

Mo Bacon, who played drums with Love Affair and has remained friends with Michael, will join the band on stage at The Exchange in Keighley on Saturday for one song.

Mo has continued to be involved in the music industry, managing several well-known and successful groups, including The Medieval Baebes, Kula Shaker and Dodgy.

Saturday also marks the release date of the band’s new album 69 Live in Concert – Made in Keighley, a live recording of the gig performed last year at The Exchange.

It will be available either as a download or in CD format by ordering from the 69music.co.uk website.

Michael said: “The gig is on January 28, my birthday is the day before and Mo’s birthday is on January 26. Also, January 27 is the 50th anniversary of the formation of Love Affair.

“It is a good date to have the concert and for Mo to be joining us.”

Mo and Michael first met in 1966 in a band called the Soul Survivors but changed the name to Love Affair in January 1967.

In November 1967, Everlasting Love was released, making number one in January1968 and remaining there for six weeks.

Since forming 69 in early 2015 – initially it consisted of Michael and Dave, with Alastair joining later – the trio have spent hours rehearsing. Its progressive blues/rock has drawn fans from across the region.

Dave previously played in a Bowie tribute band Speed Jive and in the nationally-famous theatre show That’ll Be The Day.

Alastair played in a number of rock bands in the early 1980s including the Bingley outfit Exit 13.

Also this year, 69 will be releasing a new single – Heartbreak Hotel – from the album, which will be available to download from their website and also, as with the album, on iTunes, Facebook, Spotify and YouTube.

The band will also be appearing at the Brown Cow in Bingley in February, at the Octagon in Sandbeds in March and at Haworth's monthly music night, Groovy Happening, in April.

Visit 69music.co.uk for more details.