s 53 years since one of Britain’s biggest music stars came to Swindon for a show at McIlroys Ballroom – and wasn’t allowed on stage.

What we described as a near-riot ensued.

In a previous Rewind we looked back to the announcement by PJ Proby that he wouldn’t come to Swindon because of a contractual dispute involving a company organising his tour.

Texan-born, British-based Proby was at number five in singles charts with Hold Me.

At the time, he was famed among fans for his good looks and deep voice; the following year he would become notorious in the press after twice splitting his trousers during performances.

Proby insisted the pioneering wardrobe malfunctions were accidental, but the subsequent cancellations of shows by nervous venues were disastrous.

Back in July of 1964, the Adver duly reported that the star’s appearance at the ballroom had been cancelled.

The next day, however, there was a strange follow-up.

“American pop singer PJ Proby turned up in Swindon last night,” we said, “but was banned from the stage of the ballroom and a near-riot followed.

“And as hundreds of fans chanted, ‘We want PJ,’ the singer sat in his dressing room, signing autographs and cheques.

“The autographs were for the 400 fans who had paid to see him and the cheques, totalling nearly £300, were for his band, The Diamonds.”

In spite of frantic phone calls between the venue and Proby’s promoters, the promoters insisted that Proby should not be allowed on stage because of their dispute with him.

Proby, we said, arrived two hours after the scheduled start time and wore a Tom Jones shirt. Tom Jones was a fashionable clothing brand and nothing to do with the Welsh singer, who had yet to release his first single.

We added: “Finally, after spending almost an hour in his dressing room, only yards from the stage, Proby and his band left by a fire exit. They were returning to London.

“Back in the hall, where a local group, The Soundcasters, were trying to calm down the teenagers, an official announcement was made telling the crowd that the singer would not be appearing.

“It was greeted with booing from the 400 fans who had paid up to 10s to see Proby.”

Ten shillings equates to 50p in decimal currency. The fans were offered five-shilling refunds.