TAKE a step back in time and enjoy the riches of Salisbury’s popular music scene from the 1940s to the present day at an exhibition opening this week at Salisbury and South Wiltshire Museum.

Walls of Sound has been lovingly curated by Frogg Moody and Richard Nash using a host of memorabilia, including a specially created poster featuring previously unpublished photographs of The Beatles playing at Salisbury City Hall in 1963.

Some of the greatest names in pop music played in Salisbury and City Hall posters bear testament to visits from The Birds, The Kinks and The Pretty Things among others.

As well as the City Hall poster of The Beatles, there are Peter Brown’s photographs taken during the filming of Help! on Salisbury Plain in 1965. Ken Hawkins, who coincidentally went to Salisbury Art College at the same time as Peter Brown, took the previously unpublished photographs of The Beatles.

If the drum kit on display looks familiar, it is a replica of the one played by Ringo Starr and there is also a replica vintage violin bass of the type played by Paul McCartney as well as a 1959 Hofner guitar on display.

There are some lovely nostalgic musical treasures waiting to be explored in this exhibition which opened yesterday and runs until January 15.

Coinciding with the exhibition is the launch of Endless Beat, the sequel to Frogg and Richard’s book Hold Tight!, published by Timezone in 2007.

Endless Beat takes up the story of the music scene in Salisbury where Hold Tight!

finished, from the 1960s up to the end of the 20th century and is available to buy in the museum shop.

★ Salisbury and South Wiltshire Museum is open Mondays to Saturdays from 10am to 5pm. Admission to the museum (adults £6 with concessions for children and families) includes admission to the exhibition.

★ Timed to launch the book and exhibition, a series of gigs have been organised with bands being specially reformed from the past to perform.

On Saturday, there was a special Music4Fun event at the Royal British Legion Club and Vintage Echo was one of the bands performing. Tomorrow night, live at The Chapel in Milford Street you can catch up with The QTs, The Kitchens, Newcombe & Roach and The DBs. This is a free entry event with tickets available from The Musicroom in Catherine Street, Salisbury.

★ Next Friday, October 29, live at The Chapel in Salisbury, you can catch Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich who will perform some special numbers.

Also performing will be student musicians from the BTEC national diploma at Wiltshire College Salisbury, with a special History of Rock from Lonnie Donegan to Oasis.