John Weston: Memories Behind the Signatures

On Thursday 28 May, Fieldings Auctioneers will present a remarkable sale featuring over 550 lots of Vinyl, Music & Entertainment Memorabilia, Music and Film Posters, Comics, Vintage Toys, and Trains.

Among the highlights is the extraordinary collection of John Weston, John was co-founder and bar manager of the legendary JB's Nightclub in Dudley alongside his twin brother Sid Weston. JB’s became one of the Midlands’ most iconic live music venues, hosting countless influential bands and rock legends over several decades. A passionate and respected autograph collector, John developed friendships with many of the artists who performed at the venue, resulting in a collection assembled through genuine personal connections and first-hand encounters within the music industry. John was a Fieldings friend for many years, selling his fully signed Led Zeppelin record for £10,000 back in 2019.

John was a lifelong collector of autographs, memorabilia, and treasured memories gathered through decades of meeting some of the world’s most famous names from music, film, stage, and sport.

More than simply a collection, it reflects a lifetime of passion, dedication, and unforgettable encounters.

Below, John’s brother Sid shares his memories of John, his remarkable hobby, and the stories behind the signatures.

My brother’s hobby of collecting autographs almost bordered on an obsession.

He was always checking for prospective events or visits from screen and stage stars from abroad who might be coming to the UK. He had an extensive network of friends who often knew what was happening, as well as contacts among doormen at major London hotels who could tip him off about who might be staying.

He would travel miles, spend hours planning, and show the utmost patience while waiting for an opportunity to meet the stars. It was the chance to meet them that he enjoyed most, the opportunity to chat with them and, of course, obtain their autograph.

He never placed a monetary value on any autograph and was highly critical of those who saw collecting simply as an opportunity to sell signatures online for profit. In fact, he gave many away, perfectly happy with the memory of meeting the person.

John was always well dressed, unfailingly polite, and accepted a refusal to sign as simply part of the process.

Yet he had an extraordinary knack for meeting even the most difficult or elusive celebrities and striking up a conversation with them.

Whenever someone famous appeared on television, I loved teasing him with, “I bet you haven’t got their autograph.”

Of course, he nearly always had and he would then tell the story of how he met them and what they had said.

Elizabeth Taylor, The Beatles, Cary Grant, Bob Dylan, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr  all came with wonderful stories and unforgettable moments.

I remember one occasion when we went to the Plaza in Handsworth to see The Rolling Stones. It was their first trip outside London, following the success of their first single. I was standing near the front waiting for the support act to come on before the Stones when, to my surprise, John suddenly appeared on stage and asked if I wanted to meet Mick Jagger. I muttered that I would, and he casually led me backstage to meet the band. He introduced me to Mick as though they were old friends, and we had a great chat.

John was a true rock and roller, and his favourite star and very first autograph was Gene Vincent, whom he met several times and eventually became firm friends with. On one occasion, they even watched the FA Cup Final together in a pub in Stoke.

He saw Jerry Lee Lewis in his early shows, met Sam Phillips, and was mesmerised by Little Richard.

He also became a good friend of Gerry Marsden after meeting him and getting his autograph! at the Adelphi in West Bromwich at the start of the Mersey boom. Gerry and the band even drove him home that night, and John continued to see him many times over the years, right through to Gerry’s final performances.

This note does not really do justice to the scale of his collection or the richness of his experiences.

Going through his books and photographs, I was amazed at the diversity of his interests screen, stage, sport, and music and by how modest he remained about the extraordinary memories he had gathered over the years.

I will miss him, and I will miss the stories he told.

Sid Weston
10.5.26

Fieldings Auctioneers will offer the sale of John Weston’s collection on Thursday 28 May Lots 40 - 131 (inclusive)

Rachel, who runs the Vinyl and Music and Entertainment Department, fondly remembers:

“I first met John Weston and his brother Sid back in 2019, when we consigned and sold John’s fully signed Led Zeppelin LP, which realised £10,000. Ever since then, John and Sid have been great friends of Fieldings, and I am honoured to be entrusted with the sale of the collection of what was quite possibly the nicest man I have ever met.”

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