IT'S usually the twanging of guitars, the racket of drum kits or a deafening blast from pre-recorded backing music which assail the eardrums when stepping into club concert rooms these days.

But it wasn't always like that, as veteran clublander Eric Wilson remembers so well! Eric glances back to a time when a top tenor or gifted soprano was a 'must' for top-of-the-bill spot. And he trots out a memory-stirring operatic-style list from the pre-rock and pop group era.

Eric, from Woods Court, Newton-le-Willows, who earns his octogenarian tag this year, still misses those good old days. "Every weekend and in midweek, too, we visited every club in Wigan and St Helens. We even ventured over to Yorkshire and, of course, Blackpool when our favourites performed their winter season".

Tenors were then very much in vogue. "You'll know my first selection, our own Johnny Meadows from St Helens, closely followed by Peter Firmani and so many other class acts. The list is endless - Claud Powell, Geoffrey Coles, Roy Antony and an Indian, Yolanas Secoour (Eric hopes he's got the spelling right!)."Also right up there in the solo tenor stakes were Barry Solomon and Peter la Scala.

"And", adds Eric, "we mustn't forget the ladies such as Doreen Beales (anyone else remember her?) and Rose Marie".

He reminisces on: "It's surprising how many made their names in the workingmen's clubs, including comedian Tom O'Connor and the Singing Nolans (mum, dad and the kids). Bobby Knutt had a good voice, too, but couldn't suppress his comedy streak. I've seen him since in soaps and performing bit parts in TV plays".

But one or two names now elude Eric, and he wonders if other customers of this column can fill in the blanks.

Thirty years ago, an operatic couple did the local clubs. He would enter at one end of the stage and she at the opposite side, starting their act with the Indian Love Call song. "Can anyone put a name to them?" asks Eric.

"There was also an excellent, courageous performer whose opening song was 'We'll make a Bonfire of our Troubles'". He had lost a leg, recalls our Newton clublander, but still carried on with his act until illness caused him to have the other leg amputated, forcing his retirement.

"And we mustn't forget a local tenor, the late Eddie Lamb (he died prematurely) possessor of a sweet voice and a nice guy who is sadly missed".

Eric signs off: "I bet it amazed you, Alan, that so many Northerners took to operatic entertainment and followed their favourites about, as we did".

H NOT a bit of it, Eric lad. I remember it well, and also enjoyed this kind of non-pop pleasure which still has a local torch-bearer in Irish-born Jamie, the twinkle-eyed tenor from Newton-le-Willows, who never fails to fill a club concert room wherever he appears. So, you see, the old operatic appetite is still there, it's just that there aren't enough tenors to go round.