THE lead singer of Alabama 3 has told of his love for the city's Clutha as he backed the bar's music charity.

Jake Black, who stage name is the Very Reverend D Wayne Love, said he feared his relatives and friends had been killed when the helicopter crash happened on November 29, 2013.

The Possil-born rock star, whose band celebrated global fame after their song Woke Up This Morning, was used as the title track for The Sopranos, said the pub was a favourite haunt of his.

He threw his weight behind the Clutha Trust, which was set up to help people learn music, as well as to provide a legacy and tribute to the 10 people who lost their lives in the tragedy.

Jake was at his home in London at the time of the crash.

Jake said: "I used to be up there at the Clutha all the time.

"I know people who drink in there. My nephew drinks in there.

"As soon as I heard it happened, right away I was like: Oh my god."

When he heard from owner Alan Crossan and others that they were planning to put a benefit on in the Barrowlands and to launch the Clutha Trust, Jake got involved.

He said: "Alabama Three - the whole of the band came up for that.

"I remember stories about the Clutha - Bob Dylan used to go in there for a pint because nobody would bother him.

"It's a special place. As soon as I heard, I said anything we could do we wanted to be able to do it."

Jake is an ambassador for the Guitars for Life project, which provides tuition to underprivileged children and young adults in the Glasgow area.

He said: "I really like what they're doing. I'm from Possil myself.

"Getting guitars for the young ones - you don't get that in school. What they're doing is worthwhile. It's close to my heart."

Jake spoke out as the trust launched its newest project in the City of Glasgow College Gorbals campus.

They have teamed up with the Princes Trust to give young people guitar lessons.

Around 40 youths are involved so far across the city, through music and dance projects organised by the trust.

As we've reported, it is being funded by auctioning off guitars signed by stars, including Noel Gallagher, Kodaline and Libertines.

Billy Coyle, of the Clutha trust, said: "A lot of the kids have not been in education for a while so it's great to give them a chance. "It's a big thing for them.

"We've been overwhelmed by how much support we've been given.

"We're in a lucky position, we're getting a lot of guitars. It's a labour of love through the Clutha.

"We organised the concert in the Barrowlands - we invited families of the victims, the fire brigade, ambulance staff, survivors.

"It was very emotional.

"It took off and then we wanted to have a memorial. We thought: what better way than to give music back to the kids?"

Among their supporters is Geoff Ellis from DF Concerts, as well as countless bands.

They have a 'learn to play day' planned for the Britannia Panopticon on March 21. There are also a host of island sessions planned at the Royal George Hotel in Millport.

In the future the trust hopes to organise a drop-in centre for homeless people to listen to music.

Dutch Rukowski, event planner at Clutha Trust, said the Guitars for Life project was "absolutely outstanding"

He added: "A lot of these kids have never heard a guitar played."

Nicola McTaggart, Princes Trust team leader at City of Glasgow College, said: "The programme we run for 16-19 year olds is all about building confidence.

"We work with young people who are unemployed, in care, leaving care, young offenders - they come from a wide background. "Projects like this with help with communication, help with self-esteem."

One of the students Daniel McMenemy, 17, from Milton, said: "I'm enjoying myself. I'm trying to get into college and gain more confidence. I've done a few courses but this one's the best one.

"It's hard learning the guitar but I'm getting there."

Alex McQueen, 17, from Castlemilk added: "I got involved with the Princes Trust through career advisors. It's a good laugh so far, it's brilliant."