PENARTH rock ‘n’ roll agent Paul Barrett is set to host a radio show about his career in the music industry and how he organised Shakin Stevens’ performance with the Rolling Stones.

‘Merthyr not Memphis’, to be broadcast on BBC Radio Wales on Friday, December 27, also focuses on the history of rock’n’roll in Wales and some of the bands that defined the genre from the 1950’s onwards.

Paul, who signed up Shakin Stevens and still works as a music agent at the age of 73, said: “I have always maintained that Wales plays a major part in the survival of rock and roll.”

He added that now he is still signing up Welsh bands to play in America.

“It’s very different nowadays from the start where there was big record companies that were very powerful, as now anyone can make a record and you don’t have to go to a recording studio.”

Paul, who worked with Shakin' Stevens and The Sunsets, added: “My proudest moment was taking a band from the Welsh social clubs to playing with the Rolling Stones at the Saville Theatre in London.

“It was a big gig and was quite a personal achievement.”

‘Merthyr not Memphis’ will be broadcast on BBC Radio Wales on Friday, December 27, at 9am.