FANS of Dudley music club JB's can look back at the venue's rock and roll heydays in a new book featuring fascinating facts and hundreds of rare photographs of now famous bands and artists.

Stourbridge artist and comedy author Geoff Tristram has put together the book 'JB’s: The Story of Dudley’s Legendary Live Music Venue' - a lavish tribute to the UK's longest-running music venue where acts including Robert Plant, U2, Thin Lizzy, Dire Straits, The Pretenders, Steve Gibbons, Manic Street Preachers, The Tourists, Elvis Costello, Ian Dury, The Police graced the stage.

Many of the famous names are pictured performing or relaxing at the tiny, old ex-school house behind a clothing emporium, and later on, at the larger JB's venue situated on castle Hill near Dudley Zoo.

Author Geoff, from Wollaston, older brother of playwright and film-maker David Tristram - who gave the world internet sensation Doreen and the Inspector Drake plays and films - is more associated with comedy fiction so many of the revealing anecdotes are likely to raise a few smiles.

There are also articles by legendary Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant, Blur and Steve Gibbons and others plus an array of amusing anecdotes from people who worked, played and socialised there.

He said: "The book is a rock and roll history, comedy and tragedy all rolled into one with 300 wonderful photographs - some extremely rare. I interviewed Sam Jukes, who managed the place for an incredible 41 years, staff, club members and rock stars to get a proper rounded view of the place.

"The book is full of anecdotes that are so funny, I could barely type them for giggling. There are also some very poignant moments and golden memories."

Priced £14.99, the 180-page glossy book is available from Friday December 12 online from www.jbsbook.com (plus £3 postage and packing) and Stourbridge Music Centre, Lower High Street, Stourbridge.

It can also can be ordered from High Street bookshops, by quoting the title and author’s name and/or the ISBN number, and there will be an official launch event in the New Year on Friday January 16 from 7pm at Dudley's Lamp Tavern pub, a popular pre-gig watering hole for frequenters of the club.

Geoff added: "All are welcome to, even if they already own a book. There may well be a few celebrities there to sign them too. We will also stage other events throughout the year."