CLYDEBANK music lovers will soon welcome the UK’s only tribute act to The Pretenders — whose line-up includes a former member.

'Talk of the Town’ will take over John Brown’s bar, supported by mod covers band Dogtooth, as part of the venue’s regular live music nights.

Three decades ago this month Talk of the Town keyboard player Rupert Black played Live Aid 1985 and toured with The Pretenders.

Sharon Duncan plays the role of Chrissie Hynde — The Pretenders’ dark-haired lead singer and rhythm guitar — in the tribute act.

The Knightswood vocalist, who bears an uncanny resemblance to the real Chrissie, said: “Talk of the Town is made up of seasoned musicians who reproduce The Pretenders’ sound very closely. We’re lucky enough to have a front woman with similar looks, vocals and image to the female rock legend Chrissie Hynde.

“But the 'something special’, the band boast, is an original member of The Pretenders. Keyboard player Rupert Black recorded and toured the world with Chrissie Hynde and The Pretenders, which included appearing at Live Aid in Philadelphia to 100,000 fans in 1985.” The rest of the band includes Jack MacDougall, bass guitarist from Knightswood; Malcolm Button, drummer from Milngavie; Keith Murphy on lead guitar, Rupert Black on keyboards who are both from Renfrewshire.

The band is still relatively new, having got together in 2014.

However, they are doing considerably well for having been together for such a short time, with gig and festival bookings across the UK.

Sharon continued: “After many years in a resident band in the Erskine Bridge Hotel, and playing weddings and functions, the band split. It was time for a change so Jack and I, with the growing tribute band circuit looking like an exciting alternative, decided to give it a shot.” Bassist Jack MacDougall told the Post: “Sharon’s similarities to Chrissie Hynde had been mentioned on occasions in the past, so the idea was hatched.” The band held auditions and by January 2014 they had a full line-up and were ready to hit rehearsals.

Jack added: “We played the Wannasee Tribute Festival to more than 1,000 music fans in Penrith, England, before we took a break for band holidays.

“After John Brown’s will be The Bungalow in Paisley on August 15, before heading to Tribfest Yorkshire, which is Europe’s biggest tribute festival between August 21 and 23.”