Willie Pipes to Fame!

Willie Armstrong, founding member of the band "Red Hot Chilli Pipers", is leaving his band to join Strathclyde Fire and Rescue again! He joined the band at 23 years old. Now after seven years he is going to play his final gig at the Renfrew Ferry in Glasgow on the 12th March.

Willie, aged 45 years was born in Cumbernauld. Seven years ago he was inspired to make a band with his friend Stuart Cassells – aged 31 years. They eventually got a group of musicians together. There was a piper; guitarists and drummers. That made eight people in the band. They called their sound "bagrock".

When the band raised £1000 to record an album that gave them there first shot. But it didn’t sell very well. Then the bosses of Ballantine’s whisky heard their rock version of Highland Cathedral and flew them to Slovenia for a launch.

Things started to go well for the band. They were booked at Ewan McGregor's Burns Supper in London for a number of years. Sir Paul McCartney, Rod Stewart, Lulu and Danny Glover were there! Sir Paul was impressed by the band.

They performed gigs in Saudi Arabia to South Korea, Ireland to India and Canada to China.

But now, being back at the Strathclyde Fire and Rescue Training centre in Maitland Street Glasgow as an instructor, Armstrong is happy having a quieter life.

Armstrong said that he had an amazing experience. The band got a replacement for Willie. His name was Kyle Warren - aged 21 years from Helensburgh. "I'm pleased that the band will continue without me,”"Willie said. "I have been a fireman for twenty years and could get some security. I like the fire brigade and miss being at home. I made good money with the band but money isn't everything."