AN EXHIBITION is set to commemorate an event that shaped the Forth Valley music industry landscape for generations.

The SUPERFAN – Stirling’s Story of The Beatles exhibition, taking place as part of Scotland’s Year of Stories, will celebrate two gigs performed by the Fab Four before they shot to world fame.

The exhibition has been designed and curated around a collection of Beatles and other 60s music print ephemera.

The items have been obsessively collected and carefully archived over the years by late “superfan” Douglas Montgomery.

As the Advertiser recently reported, it is believed the first-ever Scottish gig by the then Silver Beetles, still a five piece, took place at Alloa Town Hall on May 20, 1960.

Indeed, thanks to the enthusiasm of Clacks lifelong fans Robert Ferguson and Malcolm Robinson, a plaque now commemorates the cultural event.

A few years later, on January 5, 1963, The Beatles also appeared on the bill at Bridge of Allan Museum Hall.

The gig was one of a five-date tour of Scotland and took place just as their debut single ‘Love Me Do’ peaked at number 17 in the charts.

The night has transcended time as a topic that has reached mythical status with local musicians and fans and Douglas Montgomery, who passed away in 2020, was one such fan.

Phil Montgomery, Douglas' son, said: “Without doubt the most influential band for dad was The Beatles.

“A member of The Beatles Fan Club from an early age, dad kept clippings from newspapers and magazines, all lovingly glued into the pages of rough scrap books.

“He saw them early and multiple times.

“Mum says she remembers him saying ‘you could barely hear them over the screaming.’

“Giving dad the label of ‘collector’ is appropriate in relation to many things, it was borderline compulsive as he absorbed information, collecting facts and notable dates in diaries, methodically recording them for his other hobbies which were quizzes.”

After Douglas' passing, the collection was given to Ewen Duncan at Europa Music, which has its proud roots in Alloa.

Rachel Dorman, Douglas' daughter, added: “We’re delighted that Ewen wanted to give this collection some special attention and that even two years on, dad’s passion and obsession for music is being honoured.

“He would be over the moon with this exhibition, and we hope his friends and family will be able to visit and take some time to remember him amongst the collection.”

The exhibition will open at the event space of the Creative Stirling Hub on Stirling’s King Street on June 27.

It will remain on display until August 14, open daily from 10am to 5pm.