Cousti's famous video extra - Bob Harris!
GLASGOW band Cousti wrote Sweetest Tunes in tribute to radio presenter Bob Harris in his 40th year of broadcasting – and he returned the favour by starring in their video.
The song was recorded by the band when they heard Bob wasn’t well and they sent it to him.
The lyrics go: “I just can’t wait to get myself settled down, Turn on my radio and listen to my favourite show, when Saturday comes round. Bob plays the sweetest tunes the old ones and the new, I’ve been hooked since I were knee-high.”
Bob was so touched that he emailed the band straight back.
At the video shoot in Glasgow, promoter Rob Ellen asked Bob why he agreed to being part of the video.
Bob explained: “I had just been diagnosed with prostate cancer and getting the demo gave me such a fantastic lift. I loved the sentiment and thought it was a lovely thing. So when they got in touch and asked if I could be a part of the video I wanted to do it because they had been so kind to me.”
And inspired by recording the single for Bob, Cousti went on to finish recording their first album Strings To Tracks.
Singer Peter Lamb revealed that the band had asked Bob if they could release Sweetest Tunes as a download single to celebrate his 40 years of broadcasting.
Bob agreed and when he was in Glasgow last month to cover Celtic Connections, he made time for the filming.
Cousti did their best to recreate the studio set from former TV series The Old Grey Whistle Test, presented by Bob, then known as Whispering Bob Harris.
And in the video, another famous Cousti fan – Alan McGee – former boss of Creation Records – made a cameo appearance on mandolin.
Now the band is on tour and fits in four Highland dates this week at East Grange Loft, Forres , on Saturday, at Hootanannys, Inverness, on Sunday, Strathpeffer Coffee Shop sessions on Monday and at Ullapool’s Argyle Hotel, on Tuesday.
* For more information, go to www.cousti.com. Album Strings To Tracks is out on Pet Lamb Records next Monday. You can also check out Rob Ellen’s video from the Sweetest Tunes shoot featuring Bob Harris by clicking here.
