SOME people dismissed it as simply a publicity stunt, but in 1968 singer Frankie Vaughan, then a major star in Britain, visited Glasgow's Easterhouse housing scheme and organised a weapons amnesty for the scheme's gangs to hand in their chibs, swords and blades. Later housewives complained that their sons raided their kitchens for knives so that they could get their picture taken with Frankie. Here he is talking to young men in Easterhouse with a backdrop of Scottish and Newcastle crates outside a pub.
In truth Frankie returned frequently to Easterhouse and campaigned for youth facilities to be put into the scheme where hanging about in gangs on street corners was the only recreation available. A youth club was provided, and Frankie's work did begin the lengthy process of taming Easterhouse's young men. It really was a scary place in the sixties.
So well done Frankie. Although not sure if we should forgive him for Kisses Sweeter Than Wine.
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