---

St Andrews Citizen, Friday, January 29, 1993

---

ROCK ON

Phil Wishart (left) and rock archivist Roy Deane with one of those early posters
that could today fetch several thousand pounds.

FLARES, drain pipes and brothel creepers may be long in the bin - the relics of an era gone by.

But, during the 50s, 60s and 70s did you keep any teenage rock n' roll memorabilia. You might be in for a surprise if you did.

Concert tickets, posters, music, records clothes and a lot more are becoming increasingly valuable as collectors seek to put together collections bearing any connection to their favourite years or stars.

Psychedelic posters, like the one pictured above, maybe long out of taste, but examples can now fetch up to £3500 at auction.

Now could be a good time to start rummaging through the attic to see what has survived from the rock n' roll days. Throughout February one of the country's top rock archivists will be available to give advice at Ziggy's in St Andrews.

NOSTALGIC EXHIBITION AT ZIGGY'S

ZIGGY'S - the St Andrews Steakhouse which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year - houses one of the best rock memorabilia collections in the area.

Now, as part of their anniversary celebrations, and to coincide with the St Andrews Festival, they are opening their doors to let every one see some of their fascinating collection.

Visltors will not only have the chance to see some of the prestige items that adorn the walls at Ziggy's, they will also have the chance to get expert advice on any souvenirs they might have kept from their teenage days in the 1950s, 60s and 70s.

Since opening in 1983 Ziggy's have built a marvellous collection of rock and pop memorabilia. Indeed, some of the items in their collection have been donated by the stars themselves, through charity events and auctions.

The atmosphere the collection helps create at Ziggy's is a bit of a "secret", with the restaurant tucked away in Murray Place, away from the main shopping area.

However, their policies obviously work for many others have tried the same formula but none have managed to sustain it in Scotland.

Since the first weeks in business the staff at Ziggy's have been faced with the same question - "Are the items for sale?"

This led Phil Wishart, a partner at Ziggy's, to invite the Tayside-based rock archivist Roy Deane to help solve the problem.

Phil explained - "I'd seen an exhibition of Roy's memorabilia at Dundee Rep last year and spoke to him about collaborating on some thing. With the St Andrews Festival in February it seemed the perfect opportunity to stage something special. Although not a part of the Festival, or the Fringe, we will be opening our doors between 3pm and 5pm from Wednesday to Sunday throughout the month."

During these special times visitors, without obligation, can savour the wonderful collection of rock memorabilia on vlew.

If you grew up in the 50s, 60s or 70s then this is a chance to wander back to the halcyon days of your youth.

From the squeaky clean of the marvellous "Moptops" (The Beatles if you're too square to know) to the decidedly risque of the first "Legalise Cannabis" rally in 1967, and the downright debauched of Jim Morrison, lead singer with the Doors, there's lots to entrance every fan of rock and pop.

All the greats take their place in this nostalgic hall of fame - Elvis, the Rolling Stones, David Bowie, Marc Bolan, Fleetwood Mac, Oldfield and many more.

There will be posters, autographs, letters, Iyrics and even a whisky bottle. The latter carries the autograph of Phil Lynott, lead singer with Thin Lizzy, and has the annotation "Whisky in the jar" commemorating the band's multi-million selling smash single.

It's all the more fitting that this exhibition should coincide with a prestigious exhibition by Dundee Museum and Art Gallery. The current boom in nostalgia has also seen the BBC enter into the spirit with its series of "Sounds of the Seventies". Word in fashion circles even indicates that platform soles may well be making a comeback!

If it is more than a trip down memory lane that you are after there is the free valuation service.

"We've arranged to have Roy come to St Andrews and give an on the-spot valuation of items. His inside knowl edge on the best way to sell treasured items should also prove to be an attraction," said Phil.

The opening of Ziggy's for public viewing is certainly a unique event. Even London's famous "Hard Rock Cafe" can only be viewed by customers prepared to queue for a table.

The last outing that many of the items which will be on display at Ziggy's had, was to Aberdeen's Alternative Festival. There they formed the centre-piece of the main exhibition in the Festival Club. Although Ziggy's is a small restaurant the hope is to fill it with even more items than were seen at Aberdeen.