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DJ ends 50-year career in the club where it began

John DevineStanground
John Devine/BBC A man with a fringe of grey hair and dark framed glasses is holding up to the camera a seven-inch single record in its sleeve. Behind him is a window and patio door in a lounge. He is wearing a black jumper with white shirt underneath.John Devine/BBC
Brian Pearce, 77, said carrying two large cases of vinyl singles to his gigs "kept me fit and active"

After a DJ career spanning half a century, Brian Pearce is preparing to perform his final vinyl set at the same club he played his first mix in 1976.

Pearce, 77, aka DJ Tom Bryan, from Stanground, Peterborough, said he started to DJ "by accident" after he brought his record player to provide music for a work party.

Following his success at the event, a local entertainment agent contacted Pearce and secured him a gig at Annabelles night club in Peterborough, now called The Met Lounge, 50 years ago.

Pearce said his DJ sets have contributed to a "brilliant life" and after collecting over 12,000 vinyl singles he felt it was now time to hang up his headphones.

The 77-year-old's final performance will take place on 14 November in The Met Lounge at a 50th reunion celebration of Annabelles night club.

He said all ticket sales will go to Prostate Cancer UK, after Pearce was diagnosed with the condition last year.

Brian Pearce A man with light brown hair wearing a white shirt with brown stripes he is standing behind record decks with lots of lights in cabinets in front of him, with a sign saying Tom Bryan Show with coloured lights behind it.Brian Pearce
Brian Pearce, aka DJ Tom Bryan, said during his music career he performed at many private functions as well as having residencies in local clubs

Pearce works for Perkins Engines in Peterborough and is also chairman of the trustees of Railworld Wildlife Haven visitor attraction in the city.

"I started DJing completely by accident. I volunteered at the Nene Valley Railway in the 1970s I wanted to organise a fundraising party, members asked who would provide music and I told them I could do it as I have a record player and lots of records," he said.

Pearce said the party went well and later an entertainment agent got in touch and signed him up in 1976 with the suggestion that he change his name, to the "snappier" DJ Tom Bryan.

Brian Pearce A publicity flyer for a disco night in Peterborough featuring a pic of two separate DJs in a small circular frame. On the left is a photo of Brian Pearce with the name "Tom Bryan" beneath. Brian Pearce
Pearce said that when he brought his crates of vinyl singles home they would often "smell of nicotine" from all the smokers inside venues

In 1976, under his new stage name Tom Bryan, Pearce started to DJ at Annabelle's night club, on Bridge Street, Peterborough, and played there regularly for 20 years.

The club has since changed hands a number of times and is now called the Met Lounge.

"I [have] retired [from] DJing for over 20 years due to work commitments at Perkins, but was contacted last year by the owner of the Met Lounge to do a show to celebrate its 50 years as a night club, which went really well - so I thought it would be apt to bow out now on my golden anniversary," he said.

Pearce said the final vinyl he will play in his last set will be Save the Last Dance for Me by Ben E. King and the Drifters.

Brian Pearce A black and white publicity flyer for DJ Tom Bryan, on the left is a caricature of him and on the right is head and shoulders photograph of him, in the middle is his phone number and name.Brian Pearce
Thomas was the middle name of Pearce and his agent thought Tom Bryan had more of a ring to it than Brian Pearce

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