A member of a popular Swindon band that once supported Status Quo has reunited with the iconic band's frontman years later. 

Swindon's Green Steam was a popular band in the 60s and 70s and supported the likes of Status Quo, Slade, and Sweet in its prime. 

One such time was when the band joined Status Quo on May 25, 1969, to support them for a gig at the Bournemouth Pavillion. 

54 years later, Green Steam bass guitarist John Hennessy, who still lives locally, was reunited with Status Quo's frontman Francis Rossi as the latter came to town for a solo gig at the Wyvern Theatre. 

"Francis immediately recognised John and remembered the gig where Green Steam had been the support for Status Quo," John's wife, Julie said. 

"His memory was helped by the fact that Quo’s Roadie got an electric shock that evening and had to be taken to hospital. This left Francis and the band with the task of loading all the equipment back into the truck.

"Francis joked it was one of Green Steam’s leads that gave their roadie the electric shock. It transpired, the roadie was none other than Francis Rossi’s father."

The two musicians reminisced about the 60s and 70s music scene during the meeting, and John presented Francis with a copy of a CD produced by Green Steam of their original tracks.

John said: “The time with Francis went very quickly. It was like old buddies getting together and picking up where they left off."

But this wasn't the only emotional reunion that John has had recently.

In December last year, Green Steam reunited for the first time in 50 years in honour to perform a gig at the Swiss Chalet in Swindon in honour of their late drummer and founder Terry Alderton who had died from cardiac arrest. 

John was joined by original band members John Krelle and Kay Nugent (Nee Guest) who had both travelled from abroad to make the special event, drummer Steve Gobey, and Kay's son Mark as additional guitar. 

All of the proceeds for the evening went towards the British Heart Foundation and a total of £600 was raised for the life-saving charity. 

Following the gig, he said: "The feeling for all of us was very emotional from the first note. The band played like we had never been apart, this was reinforced by the audience's response from the very start.