MUSIC legend Johnny Pat is aiming to bring some shake, rattle and roll to Hull's political corridors of power. The 72-year-old entertainer has decided to stand as a candidate in next month's city council elections.
The guitarist, whose full name is Johnny Paterson, will represent UKIP in the Drypool ward in east Hull.
He said: "I've got a bucket list of things I want to do before I kick the bucket and standing for election is one of them.
"I went to Sun Studios last year and that was on my bucket list. Now I've got the chance to tick another one off."
The veteran musician, who first made his name with 1960s Hull band The Aces and now runs his own academy for budding entertainers, said: "Being an election candidate is something I've always fancied doing. When the opportunity came along I jumped at it."
The idea was suggested to him by Hull UKIP activist and long-time friend Ken Hordon.
He said: "I've known Ken for years, from when he ran a number of social clubs and venues around the town.
"To be honest, they had someone drop out so Ken asked if I would consider standing.
"I told him I would love to have a go.
"I went out on Holderness Road to get ten signatures for my nomination form and I got them all in a matter of minutes, it was amazing.
"I don't expect to win, but I'm going to give it my best shot."
Having recently returned from playing in the New Orleans Mardi Gras with Hull pianist Al Kilvington, he now faces getting to grips with a whole new audience.
He said: "I know UKIP get a lot of bad press and I don't agree with some of their national policies but this is a local election and people who know me know that I'm passionate about local issues.
"Because of my work with young people, I want to see them being given opportunities to do well in life.
"I've had 61 kids through my academy over the years and all but one of them have gone to work in the entertainment industry."
UKIP is fielding its largest ever line-up of candidates in Hull.
Among them is Sergi Singh, the owner of the Jackpot convenience store in Chamberlain Road, east Hull, who is standing in Holderness ward.
Another eye-catching name among the more familiar main party candidates for the May 22 council election is Simon Kelsey, whose house in Coltman Street was the star of a national television property makeover series.
He is standing as an Independent in St Andrews ward in west Hull.
He said: "I don't know why more people don't stand as Independents. I want to represent the interests of our community, not those of a political party because I am passionate about this area."
He once stood as a so-called "paper candidate" representing Labour.
He said: "I never had a realistic chance of winning but this time I think I've got a chance.
"It's time to bring an end to absentee councillors who live a long way from the ward they are supposed to represent."
He is the only Independent standing for election.
Other fringe candidates include Paul Spooner and Pete Marsh, who are campaigning under the Trade Unionists and Socialists Against Cuts, in Holderness ward and Southcoates West ward respectively.
Labour currently has a comfortable majority on the council over the main opposition Liberal Democrat group at the Guildhall despite the recent departures of Gill Kennett and Dean Kirk in protest at budget cuts.
The candidates and wards
Lab – Labour, LD – Liberal Democrat, Con – Conservative, UKIP – UK Independence Party, Ind – Independent, G – Green Party.
Avenue: Marjorie Brabazon (Lab), Simone Butterworth (LD), Martin Deane (G), Alexander Hayward (Con).
Boothferry: Daniel Bond (Con), Ruth Payne (LD), Phil Pocknee (Lab), Paul Salvidge (UKIP).
Bransholme East: Colin Baxter (Con), Anita Harrison (Lab), Eleanor Wood (LD).
Bransholme West: Eden Barnes (Con), Philip Webster (Lab), David Woods (LD); Colin Worrall (UKIP).
Bricknell: John Farehan (Con), Peter Johnson (UKIP), Sassy Robinson (LD), Karen Rouse-Deane (Lab), James Russell (G).
Derringham: Gwen Lunn (Lab), Cheryl Payne (LD), Brian Shepherd (UKIP), Eleonor Whitehead (Con).
Drypool: Salman Anwar (Con), Linda Chambers (LD), Jan Hornby (Lab), Johnny Pat (UKIP).
Holderness: John Crompton (Con, Jackie Dad (LD), Sergi Singh (UKIP), Paul Spooner (Trade Unionists and Socialists Against Cuts), Denise Thompson (Lab).
Ings: Philip Mackay (Con), Adam Phillips (UKIP), John Robinson (LD), Mike Thompson (Lab).
Longhill: Carol Clarkson (Lab), Sophie Fairburn (UKIP), Leslie Fisher (Con), Elaine Keal (LD).
Marfleet (two vacancies): Sharon Belcher (Lab), Sean Chaytor (Lab), James Galer (Con), Jake Morrison (Con), Julian Penna (UKIP), Brian Tompsett (LD). Margaret Tompsett (LD).
Myton: Lee Fallin (LD), Michael Lammiman (G), Martin Mancey (Lab), Josh Myers (Con), Stan Smith (UKIP).
Newington: Stephanie Bond (Con), Alan Clark (Lab), Gillian Coupland (UKIP), Steve Carter (LD).
Orchard Park and Greenwood: Dehenna Davison (Con), Terry Geraghty (Lab), Karl Hordon (UKIP), Angela Needham (G), Christine Randall (LD).
Pickering: Abigail Bell (LD), Mall Fields (Lab), Naomi Fuller (Con), Peter Mawer (UKIP).
Southcoates East: Richard Barrett (UKIP), Sam Beckton (Con), David Gemmell (Lab), Allen Healand (LD).
Southcoates West: Steve Brady (Lab), Michael Chambers (LD), Oliver Harris (Con), Mike Hookem (UKIP), Pete Marsh (Trade Unionists and Socialists Against Cuts).
St Andrews: Robert Cook (Con), Ken Fairburn (UKIP), Nadine Fudge (Lab), Tracey Henry (LD). Simon Kelsey (Ind).
Sutton: Terry Keal (LD),Tony Morfitt (UKIP), Christopher Oakley (Con), Theresa Vaughan (Lab).
University: Vicky Butler (UKIP). Leon French (Con), Richard Howarth (G), Chris Randall (LD), Steve Wilson (Lab).
