MUSICNEWPORT-BORN singer and songwriter Les Payne, who has been so near to pop stardom over the past 50 years, is making a rare return to the Island this weekend to enjoy birthday celebrations with his family and to undertake a Saturday gig tomorrow night (Saturday) at Caulkheads, Sandown, hopefully, with a flying guitarist.
A few years ago Les met an airline pilot, Lance Jordan, on a television show called Airline. The programme featured the fact that Lance was also a guitarist and he was seen playing at a gig in the South of France with Les Payne. For tomorrow’s gig, Lance, who owns a small plane, will be flying in to the IW Airport, Sandown, from White Waltham, near Maidenhead, to join Les on stage.
"I’m praying for good weather and will go to the airport to meet him. The flight should only take around 30 minutes," said Les.
In 1991, Les was presented with a special Harp Beat Rock Award for playing more than 5,000 gigs. He was the first unknown to win it and his story made headlines all around the world.
Since the early 1970s, he has made half a dozen singles and released three albums. Currently he is writing his autobiography, Les Who?