A GLASGOW jazz legend who performed with Louis Armstrong has died aged 85.

Mary McGowan, who sang with the Clyde Valley Stompers in the 1950s, died on October 1 after falling at her home in Crookston.

Her son Robert Menzies said she had led an active life up to the end and lived with her daughter Angela and her daughter.

Mary shot to national fame after performing with the world famous band for five or six years before leaving when Robert was born in 1960.

"She blamed me for the end of her musical career!," Robert said.

"She married my dad in 1958 and had me and that was it."

Mary sang with the band when she was in her early 20s, he said, and got to meet many famous faces touring the UK.

"She sang with Louis Armstrong at the Kelvin Hall in the 1950s and the band had a number one hit in 1956 with Pearly Gates," he added. "They were the Duran Duran of their day!"

Mary didn't perform again until the 1980s when the band had a reunion gig, which Robert was at.

He said: "It was a good night.

"That was the only time I saw her singing professionally. She used to sing at weddings and family parties but that was quite strange to see her on stage. People were jumping and shouting 'Mary'."

Robert remembers his mum talking about meeting people such as Des O'Connor 'on the party circuit' before she settled down.

The band, whose albums are still available on Amazon, went on to move from Glasgow to London and were signed by signed by Pye Records and managed by another Glasgow boy, the “King of Skiffle” Lonnie Donegan from Bridgeton.

The Stompers also toured with Donegan and other names including Louis Armstrong, Shirley Bassey, Petula Clark and blues legend Big Bill Broonzy.

They also performed at Liverpool’s famous Cavern club, supported by the Beatles.

Mary, who is survived by Robert, his brother Brian and sister Angela, plus seven grandchildren aged from four to 26, came from the Gorbals.

Her funeral will be held on Monday at St James the Great Church Pollok on Beltrees Road.