A BAND managed by former Millom man Jacob Lobl gave its last performance of New Year’s Eve after a career stretching back 50 years.

Nottingham-based Sons and Lovers played in both Millom and Barrow in their early years and went on to have a number one record and share a stage with many of the top names in musical entertainment.

Mr Lobl, who know lives in Nottingham area has managed the bad for the past 13 years.

He said the band started in 1966 and played at Millom’s Cumbria club in 1967 when they toured the west coast.

Sons and Lovers also played at the 99 Club in Dalkeith Street, Barrow and gave their last show at Blotts Country Club, Holme Pierrepont.

Mr Lobl said: "I have had the most wonderful experience being involved with this fantastic, legendary, Nottingham band.”

He went to Lapstone Road School at Millom and served his apprenticeship at the West Coast Tannery, just outside Haverigg, Millom, from 1958 to 1964.

He said: “I attended Barrow School of Further Education, where I received my City and Guilds in mechanical engineering and I also worked at Millom Ironworks for a year.

“I moved to Nottingham in 1966.”

Among highlights for the band was a mid-1960s nationwide tour supporting Shirley Bassey – with a sell-out performance at the Royal Albert Hall.

They also supported Jimi Hendrix, had 11 singles and a string of hit records across Europe, including a number one in Israel with Happiness is Love - which knocked The Beatles off the top spot.

The individual members went off to do different things but were drawn back together in 1996.