ACOUSTIC rock band Magna Carta, founded by Hebden man Chris Simpson, is set to perform for the last time, after 50 years in the business at Ripley Town Hall on Saturday, January 25.

Magna Carta has played in almost countries, has sold nine million records, including six gold and three silver albums. It has played the Royal Albert Hall and Montreux Festival, with Santana and Cat Stevens), while its Seasons album broke the world market aided by the international hit, Airport Song.

It will be the second time the band has played at Ripley Town Hall, a venue which Chris Simpson, who lives part time on a narrow boat on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, says is very special and where he will try to ‘call it a day’.

“I love the venue. They have had some great people on the boards, and treated us like kings the last gig we did there,” he said.

“I came out of Nidderdale all those years ago; the Magna Carta story erupted around the world as album followed album and from my Dales pilgrimage to ‘Seasons’ in the Albert Hall, live with the Royal Philharmonic, we sold some nine million albums, and played in 78 countries at the last count.”

He added: “I suddenly realised that I had been out there for 50 years - proving good people do have patience. On January 25, we will endeavour to call it a day, with a classic cast of stunning players and a few surprises.”

Magna Carta will play at Ripley Town Hall on Saturday, January 25 at 7.30pm for a 8.30pm start. Tickets £15 for members/£18 for guests and non members, from :ripleylive.com/index.php/upcoming-events/129-magna-carta, or telephone: 01423 860340