Rob Mason joined in with a tribute to a local legend at The Fire Station.

Mackem maestro Dave Stewart is on at the Fire Station for two not to be missed nights next week.

Music stars such as David Bowie, Free, Rod Stewart and the Faces and Mott the Hoople graced stages in Sunderland back in the 70s. Behind the scenes, it was Sunderland man Geoff Docherty who worked so hard to bring them here. Here he is in 2001 outside what was the Locarno on Newcastle Road. | Sunderland Echo

placeholder image — Music stars such as David Bowie, Free, Rod Stewart and the Faces and Mott the Hoople graced stages in Sunderland back in the 70s. Behind the scenes, it was Sunderland man Geoff Docherty who worked so hard to bring them here. Here he is in 2001 outside what was the Locarno on Newcastle Road. | Sunderland Echo

Which is fitting timing considering it was Eurythmics star Stewart who wrote the preface to Geoff Docherty’s brilliant book, A Promoter’s Tale.

In another full circle moment, last night Geoff joined Dave in being added to The Fire Station’s musical Wall of Fame, a ceremony which preceded a sold out memorial concert in tribute to Docherty who passed away in March, aged 86.

Pink Floyd, The Who, Led Zeppelin, The Kinks, David Bowie, Jethro Tull, Black Sabbath, Rod Stewart, Status Quo and Tyrannosaurus-Rex are just some of the stars Geoff brought to Sunderland.

And it’s amazing to think now that these bands played at ‘The Mecca’ – where the giant Tesco’s now is near the Stadium of Light – or at the old Bay Hotel in Seaburn.

Three and a half hours flew by at last night’s memorial gig.

Tributes were paid by Paul Callaghan, Chair of Sunderland Music City, Malcolm Gerrie, the former Ryhope School teacher who went on to create The Tube and produce The Brits, and Rob Hutchinson who worked with Geoff Docherty for many years.

Baz Warne of The Stranglers and Dave Taggart, a former Red House pupil who is Belinda Carlisle’s guitarist, produced an acoustic set before Terry Slessor took over.

Slessor was once the vocalist of Beckett, a band managed by Docherty. Backed by an array of fine musicians, Slessor was excellent, firstly as a Rod Stewart sound-a-like and especially in his role as front man for an hour of songs from Geoff’s favourite band Free.

Docherty did so much to push Free towards superstardom with mega hits such as All Right Now, My Brother Jake and Wishing Well.

A keen footballer and boxer in his youth, Geoff had a passion for SAFC as well as music.

He made a massive contribution to the cultural life of Sunderland which is why tickets for this memorial concert were like gold dust.

For a generation of Wearsiders who mainly now collect their pensions Geoff Docherty was the guiding light of their youth due to the bands he brought to Sunderland.

That youth was relived last night as the spirit of Geoff’s influence lives on.

This was a very special evening to honour one of Sunderland’s finest sons.

Review by Rob Mason