Name: Pauline (O’Rourke) Allan
Where were you brought up: Dalmuir/Clydebank
Secondary school: St Columba’s Clydebank/Notre Dame Dumbarton
Best mates at school: Being the school captain at St C’s who sang, played clarinet, piano and classical guitar, not many.
Funniest memory from school: On prefect duty at lunchtime found some girls smoking in the toilets. One came towards me pushing her face into mine “You’re claimed! ” To which I replied “ Do you know you have skelly eyes?”
First holiday with your mates in UK: 1972 summer music trip to Pirniehall, Croftamie with Mae, Eunice and many others including a certain Mr Allan. Played Mozart and Vaughan Williams by day, listened to Rod Stewart and the Beatles by night while watching Brian Lynch doing his Thunderbird puppet impressions.
First holiday with your mates abroad: 1974 music trip to Nuremberg, Germany on a chartered coach from Glasgow, with the best of Abba and The Byrds serenading us all the way because our driver was a mad fan. Our German host in Nuremberg welcomed us with “ I hope you are all feeling yourselves at home” as we settled into two weeks of rehearsals and concerts.
Thinking we were heading off to perform one day, we found ourselves at the 56,000 capacity Waldstadion stadium in Frankfurt.
The National Wind Band of Scotland once filled Musselborough Town hall to capacity but this would have been a very big ask.
We were slightly relieved and very excited to learn we were there to watch the Scotland v Yugoslavia World Cup game, and not to perform.
What was your first job: Instrumental music teacher for Dunbartonshire and Glasgow Schools from 1978 until 1986.
Who was your musical hero in 70s: Lots of musical heroes including Paul Simon, James Taylor, David Bowie, John Martyn.
What was your favourite single: You’ve Got A Friend, James Taylor.
Favourite album: Bookends, Simon & Garfunkel
First gig: Me!! – 1977 at the Ardencaple Folk Club in Helensburgh.
Liam Malone ( honestly! ) an old school friend, invited me to appear at an open mic session. First paying gig.
Favourite movie in 70s: Not exactly my favourite but saw the first Star Wars movie in 1978 at a drive-in, Oakville, Ontario with my Canadian cousins.
Who was your inspiration in 70s: Jimmy Hill my clarinet teacher. Not the pointy chinned sports pundit.
Posters on your wall: Art Nouveau reproduction adverts.
What do you miss most from the 70s: Shopping with mum in Glasgow on Saturday’s. The Danish Food Centre, Epicures, Habitat, Fergusons. Vesta instant meals
What advice would you give your 14yr old self: Don’t be afraid to take up something as uncool as the clarinet because you’ll make a career out of it!
70s pub session: Paul Simon, James Taylor, Carole King and my mum at the Overflow, Yorkhill.
Once Upon a Time in The '70s 