One of the most famous riffs in rock 'n' roll history may never have existed if its creator had achieved his original ambition of becoming an airline pilot.

Herbie Flowers, who played the legendary bassline in Lou Reed's Walk On The Wild Side, has revealed he only entered the music business after failing to come up to scratch in the sky.

Herbie, 65, will be hosting an evening of music and laughter to celebrate 100 years of aviation, in the Festival Marquee at Shoreham Beach Green tonight.

Despite a career which includes performances with David Bowie, Sir Paul McCartney, Frank Sinatra and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, music always vied with flying for his affections.

Herbie, who lives in Ditchling, served in the RAF between 1955 and 1963 after he had developed interests in gliding and aircraft recognition.

He had been awarded the 1953 prize for ATC National Aircraft Recognition Champion but his RAF stint was not so successful.

"I wasn't really officer material. I managed to rise to the dizzy heights of corporal but no further," he said.

"I wanted to become a pilot but not being officer material meant I never quite made it. That's when I looked at doing music more seriously."

Herbie had performed as a bandsman while in the RAF, playing tuba and double bass, and took up the bass guitar on his departure, playing in jazz bands.

He joked that moving in rock 'n' roll circles had earnt him suspicion from the jazz fraternity.

"I think they've finally forgiven me now - just.

"I'm past retirement age now so I can choose what I want to do and I want to keep going. If there's a Sunday lunchtime jazz gig going anywhere, I'm up for it.

"I'm happy with how my life has gone - I'd rather be a musician that flies occasionally than a pilot who plays music occasionally."

The format of tonight's show, staged as part of the Adur Festival, will be based on the illusion that the marquee is a departure lounge.

Performers and the audience will fill the roles of holidaymakers whose flight to Lanzarote has been delayed and need entertaining.

The Berkeley Square Society Band will play music from the Twenties, Thirties and Forties and Frank Gray will present archive film footage of Shoreham airport.

There will also be a music quiz, with questions based on aviation-themed selections.

Tickets cost £8 or £6 for concessions. For more details or tickets, call 01273 263000.