Geoff Docherty is a man credited with helping bring The Who, Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd to the masses.

His lasting legacy in Brighton is no less significant. As Palace Pier manager from 1989 and 1990, he introduced free deckchairs to the pier.

The story of his life as a promoter of up-and-coming bands in his native North-East and pier manager in the South-East is now being revealed in a book.

Geoff said: "The free deckchairs were one of my last contributions to the spirit of the peace and love era.

"While I was there, the pier was being completely rewired and rebuilt. We had Faye Dunaway, Harry Secombe and Michael Jackson visit.

"But because it's a family pier, the bands I like weren't really suitable for playing there."

However, the list of acts he brought to Tyne and Wear reads like a who's who of Seventies rock stardom.

David Bowie, Deep Purple, T Rex and Rod Stewart all enjoyed early gigs thanks to Geoff.

After two years with the Fleet Air Arm, Geoff returned to Sunderland in the late Sixties and became a doorman at the Bay Hotel.

He began booking bands to play in the hotel ballroom, using his own money to hire The Family on his first night.

He said: "The Family cost £150 and I was only on £2 a night. If I lost all of it, months of work would be down the drain.

"Thankfully, it was a huge success. Everybody asked me who I would be bringing next. I said it would have to be Pink Floyd."

His second gig introduced unknown rockers Free to an unsuspecting crowd, who actually thought the show was free of charge.

On February 17, 1969, exactly six weeks after his first gig, Pink Floyd were performing at the humble Bay Hotel.

His next major coup was bringing The Who to the same venue.

During the next four years, Geoff worked with Eric Clapton, Status Quo and Van Morrison.

Geoff, who keeps his age firmly under wraps, said: "After promoting all the groups, I went into management. I had a lot of contacts and knew all the major players.

"In the end, it didn't work out but a leisure company contacted me and I started running a cafe on the Isle of Man.

"The group later took over the Palace Pier and asked if I would help out.

"I love Brighton. I was down there only a month ago and had a few posters promoting my book put up on the pier."

His book, titled A Promoter's Tale, is published by Omnibus Press and costs £7.95.