A music legend who is described as "The Queen of Northern Soul" has been in Darwen this week meeting local music students to hear them sing.

Gloria Jones visited Darwen Library Theatre to listen to Darwen School of Music pupils after catching up with vocal coach, friend and co-owner of the school, Paul Stuart Davies.

Gloria sang the original version of "Tainted Love", and has written songs for Michael Jackson, Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross, Lionel Richie and Gladys Knight.

She was also the girlfriend of T Rex superstar Marc Bolan.

Lancashire Telegraph: Gloria said: "Paul pushes the students to not be afraid of excitement or expression.

"When this little girl at the school wanted to sing 'Underground' by David Bowie, I had to tell her the story of when Marc and David met, and how beautiful it was to see two friends who could understand each other.

"I wanted the children to know if you are going to get into this business, you still have to remain humble, and you have to remain human."

Paul has worked with Gloria on the soul scene since they both worked at a Northern Soul festival, where Gloria was the headliner in 2019.

They met at rehearsals and bonded over each running a music school.

Lancashire Telegraph: Alongside co-owner, Mark Bateson, Darwen School of Music started from Mark's mid terraced house on Lynwood in Darwen, with their first show at the Tower Room in the old Leisure Centre in 2005. 

Gloria is the founder of the sister school, Marc Bolan School of Music, in Sierra Leone, where Paul visited and sang for local children.

The Marc Bolan School of Music is in the city of Makeni and run by Gloria, former girlfriend of the glam rock star who died in 1977.

Gloria added: "I told the children 'if you're going to do this, you have to be serious'.

"You need that type of motivation.

"Musicians need balance, and the parents and the pupils of Darwen were amazing."

Lancashire Telegraph: Paul took Gloria for visits around Darwen, including Sunnyhurst Woods and Market Square, where she was impressed by "beautiful countryside views".

The private event on Sunday, October 29, saw students as young as seven singing for Gloria, who received confidence boosting words and praise to their parents.

Paul said: "The night was simply amazing. Having Gloria inspire my students with her comments made lots of happy tears, and nearly got me going at one point.

"From comparing an 11-year-old student to Michael Jackson who she produced at the same age, to having Glo bring parents to the stage to praise them for bringing up amazing kids.

"Never before have my teaching and soul singing worlds come together as perfectly as today.

"Thanks to my talented students for doing me very proud."

Gloria features in a new documentary about Marc Bolan, AngelHeaded Hipster: The songs of Marc Bolan and T.Rex, which was released in cinemas last September.

She will also be featured on BBC Radio Lancashire on Tuesday, October 31, where Paul Stuart Davies will also play his new single 'Surrender'.