Years later Bernard would become a musical icon in his own right as 70s glam rock star Alvin Stardust, but in his previous alias of Shane Fenton worked with some of the biggest names in rock 'n' roll including Billy Fury, Marty Wilde, Joe Brown, Chuck Berry, Bill Haley, Eddie Cochran, Gene Vincent, Bill Haley, the Beatles and the Rolling Stones who he also persuaded to sign the guitar.

A few years ago whilst sorting through his late mum's things Alvin came across the guitar and it was recently valued at $2 million.

Inspired by this news Alvin has embarked on his first solo tour since the 70s, playing classic rock 'n' roll songs from the past five decades at venues across Britain including Motherwell Theatre.

He said: "When I met Buddy Holly it was at a time when people didn't collect autographs the way they do now. I couldn't even find a bit of paper and the band ended up just signing the guitar that I had got for my birthday and taken to the concert with me.

"Once I was in the business I got people I was working with – like Billy Fury, Joe Brown and Marty Wilde – whose music I'd grown up with to sign the guitar.

"I actually thought it had been lost but I found it in my mum's attic and due to its worth it's now kept in secure storage. I even have to ask special permission to take it out."

Alvin appears in Motherwell on Tuesday, May 27, with a line up of classic tracks that sees him morph from 50s rock 'n' roller Shane Fenton to 70s glam rock god Alvin Stardust ... or at least he will now I've suggested it to him!

He said: "I guess I was one of the British rock 'n' roll pioneers so its great to look back and play some good rock 'n' roll before moving on to the music that earned me global stardom in the 70s.

"I hadn't really thought about the transformation but it's a good idea. I guess in the first half I am Shane Fenton even though I hadn't thought about it like that and at half time I put on the black gloves to become Alvin Stardust.

"As part of looking back, I was also keen to play the types of venues I did when I was starting out in the 60s. Back then I'd tour the likes of Elgin, Lossiemouth and Motherwell before the bigger venues came along in the 70s.

"Nowadays though I'm happier playing in a small rock club although some gigs at the likes of Butlins are great because you get 7,000 people who just want to rock."

The show starts at 7.30pm and tickets costing £15 (£14 under-25s and passport to leisure) are available from the box office on 403120 or www.northlan.gov.uk