ONE of the most popular Newport, and indeed South Wales, bands back in the 60s, Pieces Of Mind are getting back together to play a series of four gigs in just over a week for two local charities, St David’s Hospice Care and In the Pink.

From their early practices at the St John the Bosco Hall, on Cromwell Road in Newport, through supporting bands such as The Who at Coed Eva Community College in 1966, to playing nightclubs, such as the Star Club, Top Ten & Crazy Horse in Hamburg, the Pieces achieved an almost cult status.

The band got on well with a promoter called Maurice (Mo) White, who owned the music shop in Newport. He used them as support act for the many well known groups he brought to South Wales, including Billy Fury, Chicken Shack, Stu James & the Mojos, Georgie Fame & Bluefames, David Bowie, Gene Vincent, Johnny Kidd and the Pirates, Manfred Man, Marty Wilde, The Hollies, The Merseybeats, The Moody Blues, The Pretty Things, The Searchers and The Who.

When the band eventually ran out of steam in the late 60s, members went on to join bands such as David, Judas Jump and The World of Oz.

A reunion to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the formation of the band, was held at Cwmbran Working Men’s Club in April, and £2,350 was raised for St David’s Hospice Care.

The gigs are: ● Sept 27 - Cwmbran Working Men’s Club (CWMC) (St David’s) ● Sept 28 - Rhyd Hall, Tredegar (In the Pink) ● Oct 4 - Ringland Labour Club, Newport (St David’s) ● Oct 5 - Brynmawr Foundation Comprehensive School (In the Pink) Tickets from: ● CWMC and Ringland events - 01633 851051 ● Rhyd Hall - Lyndon Evans 07798 933808 ● Brynmawr - Roy Preece 01495 315434 or Liz Sullivan 07714 294047.