TODAY people across Glasgow and Scotland will remember those who died and were injured when a helicopter hit the Clutha Bar.

As the first anniversary of the tragedy is marked, city music boss Bill Gaughan, co-founder of Neon Tetra records, recalled his lucky escape.

He had planned to be in the city centre bar that evening with pals, but cancelled his plans at the last minute.

A regular visitor to the Clutha, Bill would go there "almost every Friday night" with a group of friends.

"It's terrifying - I could have easily been there." he said.

"Thankfully I wasn't but it's a very real possibility. It was a favourite dropping off point if we'd been out for a pint after work. We'd wander down to and take in some music on the way home.

"One of my friends had been in touch earlier in the day to ask if I was going that night, but I called off at the last minute."

When Bill saw the horrify- ing images unfolding on his TV screen that night, his mind started racing at the thought of friends who may have been there.

"I tried to call my friend who had asked me if I was going down that night but I couldn't get through." he explained.

"I managed to get him the next day, he was alright and had just switched his phone off, but by then panic mode had set in."

Desperate to help, Bill decided to create a fundraising album with some of the bands who had played at the bar.

Released with the help of his co-founders at the Neon Tetra label, they managed to sell around 7000 copies of the CD in ASDA stores and bars across the city.

They have now raised around £33,000 for the Clutha fund - currently the single largest donation to the cause.

Bill said: "We managed to get Asda to come on board and they moved a huge number of albums for us.

"The local community, bars all over the South Side and City Centre, working mens' bars... everyone put their hand in their pocket and bought copies/

"I couldn't believe the support we got, nobody said no, everyone wanted to help."

The music boss said the Clutha's absence had left a "huge hole" in the city's vibrant music scene, as hundreds of local bands would take to the stage there at weekends.

"The site is for Allan Crossan to decide what he thinks is appropriate but I think everyone would love to see a sympathetic venue established in that area, which is essentially what the Clutha was.

"There has to be something to remember the people who lost their lives there and a legacy - something to continue the community music scene which was so unique at the Clutha."

Bill passes the site almost every day as he travels to and from work and said: "I can honestly say that the sense of loss hits me every time I pass, both in terms of the horrific loss of life but also a sense of lost friendship - bar regulars and the bands.

"The Clutha was such a great meeting point for so many."

hannah.rodger@eveningtimes.co.uk