Happy 21st to The Garage The big old truck keeps on rolling

Birthdays are wonderful occasions, with presents and cards and rounded off with a big belter of a party.

Okay some can be depressing reality checks with Old Father Time, but in the main they’re happy events.

For some they just last the day, for others, and here I refer to my own special date of delivery, it can last a week, with another day put aside for recovery.

The Queen likes them so much she has two.

The birthday I’m about talking about is a special one that means so much to me and many, many others besides. It’s a 21st. No, not my own coming of age don’t be daft! I know I wear well, but the key for that particular door rusted back in the days of the dinosaurs!

No, this particular 21st celebration is for a big truck, a world-renowned nightclub and live venue. My nightclub and live venue, The Garage.

You know me, I’m not one to blow his own trumpet, God forbid . . . ahem. But if there was ever a time I should be slightly boastful about, proudly reminisce over, and thank all who made The Garage so special, then that time is now, its 21st birthday!

Why? Well given most clubs have a life cycle of 7 years The Garage has trebled that, and has seen and done a lot more besides. It has catered for more than 8 million customers, who have danced to more than 7 million pieces of music, drank more than 35 million vodkas and 25 million Jack Daniels and went through about the same in bottled beers and soft drinks. More than 1,600 bands, artistes and comedians have appeared.

Prince, One Direction, Ian Dury, Faith No More, Example, Kid Rock , Fun Lovin’ Criminals, Muse, Fall Out Boy, Anthrax, Biffy Clyro, Rich Hall . . . the list is as long as Sauchiehall Street.

Thousands of staff have been employed over the years. Many met their future husbands or wives while working or clubbing at The Big Truck. Some now have their children attending or working for me.

None, though as far as I know have yet been named The Garage as Kevin Bridges once joked.

Famous guests have included Noddy Holder, Jamie Dornan, Neil Lennon, Barry Ferguson and Jackie McNamara,(who once called to say they had sneaked out of the Scotland camp in their trackies and could they get in for a pint) Alex McLeish, Gareth Gates, Snoop Dog, Cat Harvey, Frank Bruno, Paulo Di Canio, John Hartson and Dan Aykroyd.

Chris Evans was once knocked back as no one believed it was him.

Rocker Tommy Lee was told his reputation had preceded him and that there was no way we were allowing 17 female fans into his dressing room.

I almost cried when cancer-stricken Ian Dury played his last ever Scottish gig.

I was full of emotion when Queen’s Roger Taylor paid tribute to the late, great Freddie Mercury, singing Radio Ga Ga and I Want To Break Free.

I almost burst with exertion when I had to physically remove the late blind blues guitarist, Jeff Healey, from the dance floor as he was accidently hitting everyone around him when he danced.

I felt an immense sense of civic pride when we opened our doors especially in 2006 to 1,500 people and gave them shelter from a blizzard, and chuckled loudly when I heard that some ladies of the night asked if it was OK for them to ply their trade as they were losing business because of the snow.

The Garage hasn’t lasted so long because it’s just a nightclub and live venue. It’s more than that.

It has lasted because of the love, care and attention the staff have put into the place. It’s because it lives and breathes music, and customers feel that when they walk through the door.

Unlike me, it is ageless.

I love The Garage, it has been very lucky to me and hopefully I will be able to return the favour by loving and looking after it for another 21 years.

Now where are the prezzies?