THE man behind the legendary JBs nightclub in Dudley is set to take on a fundraising walk this weekend for the Alzheimer's Society.

Sam Jukes owned the much-loved club for 42 years, which saw the likes of U2, Judas Priest and Radiohead take to the stage in Dudley.

It was also believed to be the longest running live music venue in the UK.

Now, he is taking on a new challenge to raise money for the Alzheimer's Society to help fund research into the disease.

It is a cause very close to Sam's heart as he lives with vascular dementia, following a head injury and a number of strokes.

Sam and his daughter Georgia Taylor will walk around Himley and Baggeridge on September 20, as part of the Alzheimer's Society's Memory Walk fundraiser.

They have already raised more than £1,000, smashing their target of £100.

Sam said: "Over the years we have always supported charities with various fund raising gigs, so being able to do this walk and raise much needed funds for a charity close to my heart is extremely important to me."

Sam launched JBs in 1969 as a disco night held in the social club at the former home stadium of Dudley Town Football Club before moving to a bigger venue behind King Street in Dudley town centre in the early 1970s.

It then moved to Castle Hill in 1994 before closing in 2011.

Looking back on why JBs was so successful, Sam said: "Well it was an atmosphere that you couldn't get elsewhere, JB's is a story of a unique Black Country club which nurtured some of the big names in today's music scene. It was a place where relationships were formed, a good many of which have survived to this day.

"Where else could you see rockers, punks, skinheads, new romantics, hippies and even the occasional dinner jacket wearer, all mingling and coming together for the love of live music?

"There was no dress limits, no age limits- one 60 year old regular used to bring his own blues records to be played- no frills in furnishings, so little upholstery to damage, and few places to sit down, but there was a top class sound and lighting system, an incredible collection of records, a good stage, raw live talent and a bottle of Newcastle Brown Ale or two."

The venue was also instrumental in supporting local talent, most notably the bands of the Stourbridge scene in the early 90s, such as Pop Will Eat Itself, The Wonder Stuff and Ned's Atomic Dustbin.

Sam added: "Some of my most memorable moments are turning down Queen because they wanted an extra £50. We've had U2, Bob Geldof, the Pretenders, Elkie Brooks and Robert Palmer, Average White Band, UB40, Robert Plant a few times, The Mighty Lemon Drops, The Wonder Stuff, Ned's Atomic Dustbin, Blur, Soul Survivors, Steve Gibbons, Levellers, Thin Lizzy, DT's, New Model Army and The Red Beards from Texas to name a few.

"I thought Dire Straits was one of the best gigs I've heard. Out of all the bands which were unknown to me, that was the band I thought I wouldn't mind looking after.

"Sonny Terry and Brownie Mcgee was an epic night, they were hanging from the rafters for that one. I remember my mate Jake Elcock ringing me the once to say there was riots in Wolverhampton and asked if would look after the Sex Pistols, I tried to bribe John Lydon to do a set but he turned me down!"

The Memory Walk takes place on Sunday September 20, to make a donation visit: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/mw551235.