Jackie’s a dab hand on the drums

Drumming man Jackie Brown is the oldest swinger in town even though he could hardly hear a note.

Jackie, 81, has been hard of hearing since childhood but he’s been playing the drums in bands since he was 14.

He said: “It has caused problems at times. Band members have shouted at me and I’ve just had to pretend I could hear what they were saying.”

Jackie plays three nights a week at the Royal Naval Association Club in Roker Avenue with organist Alan Lee, who said: “He is fit for his age and can keep up with the beat.”

Former shipyard worker Jackie’s musical career started when he played along to the silent films and he followed that with a spell in the circus before hitting the club and pub circuit.