Three great Norfolk bands plus a tribute to the late John Lofty - a golden end for the Golden Years.

A trio of classic Norfolk bands – highlighting the best of rock, soul and classic pop – will take centre stage at the very last Golden Years at the UEA next week.

There will also be a special musical tribute to the late, great John Lofty with former members of his band honouring their much-loved leader.

'This really is the final one. None of us are getting any younger and the time has come to call it a day,' said the organiser of the charity concerts Terry Wickham.

Since the Evening News and Radio Norfolk gigs started back in 1996 many of the original groups from the 1950s, 60s and 70s have reformed and have helped to raise more than �125,000 for local charities and good causes.

The last gig will be raising money for Big C, which is the civic charity this year, and does such wonderful work across Norfolk and Waveney.

Three bands who reformed for the Golden Years and are now back on the road sounding better than ever will be playing at the final gig on April 14. They are:

Garry Freeman & The New Contours.

Mervyn & The Starbeats

Mister Buss.

All have great stories of survival to tell and these photographs follow the journey of Mister Buss over the years – from the days of the Fifth Gear Travelling Band in the early 70s to the Golden Years at the UEA. The cartoon, left, was done by talented Mike Bamber.

Fronted by charismatic Viv Ritchie, the original members met at Lotus and took to the road with their very own brand of rock and pop.

One night they were late for a gig and announced they had missed the bus.

The name stuck.

They retired for 14 years before climbing back on the bus for the Golden Years. That's Viv along with Will Styles, Ian Clarke, Phil Chapman and Terry Smith.

For more on the Golden Years, turn to Music Notes in Going Out today and for a special picture spread on the first bands to reform, the first gig and where the money raised went, don't miss my page on Easter Monday.

Tickets for the last gig cost �10 and proceeds go to the civic charity Big C. Visit the Evening News at Prospect House, Rouen Road, Norwich, or click on www.en24.co.uk/shop. You can also call Terry Wickham on 01603 864460 or the UEA on 01603 508050, or pop into the PMT Music Shop, Anglia Square, or The Trafford Arms, Grove Road.