Trevor's book also includes the only photographic record of that day in 1979. The picture has never been published before.
"To attract the Jacksons to perform in Halifax was another in a long line of astute negotiations by Robbie.
"He freely told me that the experience was one of the most traumatic of his career: 'The Jacksons were booked to do two shows at 6.45pm and 9.15pm on February 19, 1979. With hindsight the 6.45pm show was too early and although the second house was almost a sell-out, the first house was badly attended.
"'In the interval before the second show, I was told there were problems backstage. I was told the lads were not too keen about going on because there was not a capacity audience for the first show. My assistant manager Les Milner had told me there had been a fall-out between the teenage brothers right from the start. When I got there they were messing around and the eventual outcome was that I told them, Michael Jackson included, that I wanted them on to the stage – now, do the show and get out of the building as soon as they finished.
"'They all looked at me in a state of shock, before I added that they would never play at any theatre where I was in charge, ever again! So you see - we all make mistakes!'"
"To get the full story I asked Les for his version. He told me: 'Before the show they kept themselves to themselves and were very quiet. Michael asked for some fruit and we had a huge bowl taken to the dressing room from Phillip Crossley of the Borough Market ‘Under the Clock’ fruit stall. Michael wrote a note of thanks which was sent back to Phillip. Apparently the Jackson brothers had fallen out on the coach to the theatre and one of them asked for, and got, a separate dressing room.'"
Trevor goes on to recount how no-one was supposed to be allowed backstage but a few girls, including Les's 13-year-old daughter managed it and had her photo snapped with Michael.
Another big-hitter to appear thanks to Robbie, reveals Trevor, was Andy Williams. Les takes up the story of the booking on November 27, 1979: "The first time he came I saw this little old man wrapped up in a big, long overcoat down to his ankles and wearing a scarf, sitting in the front stalls of the theatre reading a paper. I realized it was Andy Williams. He was a very quiet man but did insist on a bouquet of flowers being presented to him at the end of each performance.
"For his first appearance, there was a rider in the contract that the stage was to be totally white. It took me two days to cover the stage in white linoleum."
Country music superstar Glen Campbell was also another Robbie Robinson coup.
"Rhinestone Cowboy, Wichita Linesman, Galveston and By The Time I Get To Phoenix are timeless classics which all ensured the Glen Campbell concerts in Halifax were sold out," writes Trevor.
"Robbie arranged for me to interview him and I was welcomed like a long lost brother, offered a glass of whisky and then did the interview (for the hospital radio). He told me that he had been to a great pub just up the street from the theatre, called the Plummet Line for a British pint. He also told of his love for apple pie which was satisfied on his second visit by a member of the theatre staff baking one especially for him.
"This year marks Cilla Black's 45th year in show business. She was 37 when I interviewed her in the star dressing room at the Civic Theatre. I began by welcoming her to Halifax."
She told Trevor: "I've never been to Halifax before and I'm staying at a lovely hotel, Holds-worth House. Oh it's ever so posh."
Trevor also recalls performances by The Shadows, interviewing Hank Marvin over a cup of tea and Joe Loss when he acted as compere.
"The theatre is our local treasure and whilst it was sadly neglected at the start of the 60s, it stands proudly today as a monument to the men and women of the global entertainment industry who have performed on the cavernous stage."
