John North - A world away from liver salts

"I'm looking forward to it immensely," says the 68-year-old who had a top 20 hit whilst simultaneously selling Andrew's Liver Salts.

Seven years after a heart attack, he is fully fit, enjoying life and contentedly on Millionaires' Row in Darras Hall, Ponteland.

MacBeth is his real name, though someone at Tyne Tees insisted he become David North - "they thought MacBeth was too Scottish," he says - and a miserable spinner at Pye Records subsequently told him he was going to be Scott Weston. "I said it sounded like a biscuit company, so they asked me what my real name was," recalls David. "When I told them there was a pregnant pause and then they asked if I was kidding. They thought it was fantastic, but it's amazing how many people still tell me my real name is David North."

Born in Walker, Newcastle, he finished National Service in 1954, sang around the clubs - "Go as you pleases, that sort of thing" - and was "discovered" by Carol Levis in a talent show at Sunderland Empire.

"There was a chap in the audience called Eddie Arnold, a wonderful impressionist, who came backstage and asked if he could be my agent. After that, things really started to happen."

A few months later, still promoting inner cleanliness, he sparkled on a Tyne Tees talent contest called The Golden Disc - "a sort of Pop Idol" - and was offered a recording contract.

Mr Blue, his first single, reached number 18 in October 1959. Though there were no more big hits, there was no shortage of work. "The sales manager promised my job would still be there but almost insisted I turn professional.

"I didn't really understand what was going on, it was such a different world from liver salts."

In 1962 he was on the same bill as Roy Orbison, Gerry and the Pacemakers and the fast emerging Beatles on a round Britain tour embracing 42 locations on 42 successive nights.

"They were variety shows in those days, eight different acts on the bill," he says. "It was crazy really, but we were young and we loved it."

In 1982 he bought Greys Club in Newcastle, sold it three years ago after an offer he really couldn't refuse, now plays golf, goes to the gym and listens whenever he can to big bands.

"At one time Newcastle had around 12 nightclubs where big acts were appearing, but it doesn't happen any more because you can't reproduce the sound. The keyboard player has to be an electrician as well."

His own comeback will be in Edinburgh on May 31 in a memorial concert for celebrated composer and arranger Johnny Keating, who was born in the city. Among other singers will be 71-year-old Johnny Worth, writer of number one hits for the likes of Adam Faith and Eden Kane, who now lives at Benfieldside, near Consett.

"I'm trying to slim down to get into a white tux again," says Johnny. "It's going to be an incredible night."

JOHNNY Worth was also in last week's Gadfly, a column which suggested that David MacBeth had appeared on Tyne Tees Television's opening night.

Fellow singer George Romaines, who really was on the bill, insists that it was one scene which MacBeth didn't play, however - and sends the relevant copy of The Viewer, the listings magazine.

Other headliners that night included Dickie Henderson, Jill Day - "television's most glamorous star" - and, then as now, Bill Maynard.

The Raindrops, including the redoubtable Johnny Worth, had cascaded to the bottom of the bill.

George Romaines, still in his native Shildon, was also obliged to change his name at the insistence of the music professionals. He became George Romaine instead. "I couldn't believe it," he says. "It made no difference whatsoever."

STILL on the entertainment scene, ace Punch and Judy man Professor Brian Llewellyn laments that age is catching up with him. Brian's also a DJ. Asked to do a junior school party in Darlington, he did his homework, consulted his own kids on modern music and was asked at the school if he had anything by Buster and by Avril. "I'm afraid I asked 'Avril who'?" he reports. "It rather gave the game away."

TWO weeks ago we recorded the diamond wedding anniversary, on that day, of Lez and Betty Rawe in Bishop Auckland. The response was extraordinary.

Some wrote to them, others telephoned from throughout Britain and beyond, many like Ray Basham - Shildon lad who became head of Cleveland CID - simply jumped in their cars and headed for the open house party.

Both former teachers, Lez and Betty had discouraged presents and instead invited small donations towards the Liver Research Fund at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle, where Lez's liver cancer was successfully treated. They raised £2,315.

"I thought we'd have done very well if we managed £1,000," says Lez. "We really are most grateful."

PETER Longstaff may be the North-East's most assiduous stamp collector, a cheerful rebuttal of the old gag that philately gets you nowhere.

Childhood polio left him with a weak left eye; a couple of years ago, the sight in the other eye went suddenly while he was driving.

A cataract operation restored his sight if not his driving licence. White stick at the back of the cupboard, the retired Darlington shopkeeper is now raising money to help the blind.

"I realised what it was like. I'm determined to help in some way," he says.

The stamps are all used, collected by Peter from shops and businesses around the town and sold by the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association for £1.70 a kilo.

There are an awful lot of stamps to a kilo, even with an envelope border, but £60 (35 kilos) buys handle, harness, collar and bell and £3,650 - 2,160 kilos - supports a working guide dog partnership for a year.

Bow Peter hopes that more organisations in Darlington will help by taking collecting boxes - he'll do the rest.

We'd met, perchance, in the pub. "Lovely to see you," said Peter and so, clearly, it was.

Peter Longstaff is on 01325 250856, e-mail peter.longstaffntlworld.com RETURNING from a theatre trip to London, where a pint of beer was £3.70 and a glass of wine £1 more expensive, Richard Jones from Darlington noticed a reader offer in the GNER magazine - a room at the Leopold Hotel, only £180 a night. "Offer includes a kite to fly in Hyde Park," it unashamedly added.