TWENTY years after the closure of one of the world's most legendary music venues, its story is to be told in a new book. Apollo Memories will reveal the facts and fantasies in the life and times of the Glasgow Apollo. It's due for publication in November 2005, and is currently being written by Scots author and music manager Martin Kielty.

Last year, Martin wrote the critically-acclaimed SAHB Story: the Tale of the Sensational Alex Harvey Band. The history of Glasgow's greatest-ever rock act tied in closely with the city's greatest-ever venue, and that's how Martin became involved.

Martin says: 'I discovered the Apollo Memories website and it was extremely helpful in my reasearch for SAHB Story. I found out things even the band had forgotten about themselves. Once the book was published a lot of people told me how much they'd enjoyed it, and the guys behind Apollo Memories got in touch to ask if I'd write their book.

'I think real rock fans like the way I don't get lost on the sex and drugs stuff, but allow the musicians to tell their stories. The people with real passion care about that kind of stuff instead of who took what then did what to whom. It's about music, energy and entertainment. And that's what I'm going to do with Apollo Memories too.'

Scott McArthur co-founded the website with Andy Muir in 2002 and was blown away by SAHB Stories. He says: 'When I read it I knew Martin had the right approach for the Apollo story. I've wanted to see a new book written for a long time and it's great to see it finally taking shape. We'll be working with Martin to make sure the end product reflects the feelings of the fans who remember the Apollo like it was yesterday.'

Like his previous book, Martin's new work will rely heavily on anecdotes passed on by the people who were there. The Apollo Memories website has been collecting stories for a few months, but Martin wants to ensure every little story has a chance of making it into the book.

Martin says: 'We have a lot of big stars lined up to talk about their Apollo memories, but I think the thing that made the Apollo so special was the Glasgow Choir. Like so many things in Scotland, it's all about the people - so I really want the people to have their say.'