SONGWRITER Sammy King is back in the music charts.
And its a highly-unusual but welcome move for the Heckmondwike pensioner.
His version of the song Penny Arcade, made famous by American superstar Roy Orbison, is a hit all over again.
It has been adopted by Glasgow Rangers fans in Scotland and a charity version of the song is helping raise cash for a worthwhile cause.
Thousands of pounds expected from downloads and single sales of Penny Arcade are going to the Erksine Hospital, which helps wounded servicemen and veterans.
Sammy, 69, who was born and brought up in Batley, has recorded a new version of the song which Rangers fans have sung for years as one of their anthems.
Sundays Old Firm derby at Ibrox saw the Rangers team take to the field to the strains of Penny Arcade.
The song has been released through record shops and on itunes and within days had soared from number 74 in the download charts to number 9 as thousands of Rangers fans paid for it.
Sammy who is a season ticket holder and devoted Huddersfield Town fan said: A group of Glasgow Rangers fans approached me and asked about the song.
Apparently they adopted Penny Arcade as one of their songs some years ago, but now wanted to raise money for the hospital.
They had inquired about using the Roy Orbison version, but then they found out I had my own version and got in touch.
I was absolutely delighted to be able to help. It is for a great cause and I am just saddened that some of the publicity about the song has been overshadowed by the reports about violence and sectarian chants at Old Firm games.
I just hope most people see through that and realise that the song is for a wonderful cause.
The Erskine not only helps wounded service personnel, but also veterans who have served their country, as well as offering them respite care. But it takes s21,000 a day to keep the service going and every penny of that has to come from public donations and fundraising.
Sammy retired from the music business four years ago, when he released his autobiography and now enjoys golf and watching Town.
During his career, he appeared on stage with music legends The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and the Big O, Roy Orbison.
He lives in Churchill Grove, in Heckmondwike, and has memories of a career which began with a band called The Voltairs.
Sammy was born in Batley in September 1941 and christened Alan Toohig. His parents were Irish and his father Edmond had worked at the famous Guinness factory in Dublin before moving to England.
The young Sammy went to St Josephs Primary School in Batley and then St Bedes Grammar School in Bradford before taking a course at Dewsbury and Batley College of Art.
It was in 1969 that he got his biggest break. He and the band were appearing at the famous Batley Variety Club, supporting Roy Orbison who was on a UK tour.
He went round and knocked on Roys dressing room door and asked if he wanted to hear some songs.
I heard nothing for months, but then a letter and tape arrived. It was Roy singing Penny Arcade and he said it was going to be his next single, said Sammy.
