Last night was the last night of live music at the Live & Let Live in Guildford and it went out in fine form with the legendary Jackie Lynton Band playing to a packed pub. 

I'm ashamed to admit that until last night I didn't know who Jackie Lynton was but a google search this morning found the official Jackie Lynton web site - and what a legend he is with a rock and roll career that spans over 50 years. 

Now old enough to be picking up his State pension, unlike many he's not tired of getting down in a hot sweaty pub (with his "Zimmer frame" stand for support!) and giving his audience some down to earth, from the heart, solid rock and roll and a bloody good laugh. 

He's worked with an astonishing range of people including fronting Savoy Brown in the 1970's.  "Going to America with Savoy Brown was effin' amazin'. We were going on second on the bill to bands like the Doobie Brothers, Deep Purple, Rod Stewart & the Faces - and then we were headlining as well. Status Quo opened for us! (mind you, it was the other way round when we toured the UK supporting them). One night, even ZZ Top opened for us, in New York."

In 1978, Status Quo scored a massive hit with 'Again And Again', co-written by Jack and Rick Parfitt. Having been a long standing friend of Rick Parfitt, Jackie had been involved in co-writting other early Quo hits with Rick. Their friendship is still strong and Jackie has often been invited to do a guest spot on Quo's gigs.

Those close around him wonder why Jackie Lynton didn't go all the way to the top?  "Legend ?…..me?….naaaaaah that's a load of bollocks! I like to think of myself as some sort of entertainer….I can tell a joke, carry a tune but I was never gonna be a star! I probably drank too much or more probably I was just too much of a c*nt". 

And so after such a good night - typical of the music nights - why have Steve & Maz called it a day at The Live & Let Live?  The music nights have been good but sadly the other nights haven't.  Maz tried food but with so much on offer in the centre of Guildford it's not surprising that didn't work.  The real problem is that as tied tenants they can't buy beer cheap enough to make enough money for it to work.  So sadly another great pub rock venue bites the dust.....