Adge Cutler, leader and founder of The Wurzels, died 30 years ago on 5 May 1974. Committed fan Adam Thomas is broadcasting a week of programmes in tribute to the man whose band is synonymous with Somerset.

Adam pays tribute to Adge - who penned such classics as Twice Daily, When the Common Market Comes to Stanton Drew and, of course, Drink Up Thy Zider - in a week of programmes.

The homage features interviews from all the surviving Wurzels, including Tony Baylis who is now living in New Zealand.

Adam is chatting with current and former band members - Reg Quantrill, Pete Budd and Tommy Banner - at Adge's favourite pub, The Royal Oak in Nailsea.

Adam Thomas with Wurzels Pete Budd, John Miles, Tommy Banner and Reg Quantrill

Adam said: "Being Somerset born and bred, it's almost impossible not to be a fan of The Wurzels.

"Adge was the man who started it all and it's going to be great to be able to pay tribute to him."

Of course, Adam will also be playing a selection of Wurzel hits and waxing lyrical about his favourite Wurzel memories and stories.

The tribute programmes go out each weekday from Tuesday 4 to Friday 7 May between 2 and 4pm on 1566AM.

A brief Wurzel history

The story of the Wurzels began in 1966 when Adge Cutler visited the office of John Miles with a number of songs he'd written.

They came up with a name - Adge Cutler and The Wurzels - and EMI signed them.

Then, in the autumn of 1966, the band released their first single, Drink Up Thy Zider.

It sold over 100,000 copies, and the band were invited on to a number of TV shows.

Fame for Adge and the band continued to spread slowly around the country until, on 5 May 1974, he was killed in a road accident.

After The Wurzels had made the decision to carry out without Adge, they finally hit the big time.

In April 1976, they released Combine Harvester (Brand New Key), which rode its way to top of the singles' chart.

And even more to their credit, you had to sell loads more records 30 years ago to get to number one than today - it sold almost 400,000 copies in Britain alone.

But, in spite of being one of the biggest-selling acts of the mid-1970s, people who met them remarked at how down to earth they were.

In all seriousness, here was a group of Somerset folk who loved having a good time and had big hearts too!

There can't be a person in Somerset who hasn't smiled at the line: "I've got a brand new combine harvester and I'll give you the key!"

Next came hits with Una Paloma Blanca, I Am a Cider Drinker, Morning Glory, Farmer Bill's Cowman and Give Me England.

The band continued to tour throughout the 1980s and 1990s.

Then, back in 2001, the band made a big return to the charts in support of Britain's farmers - they agreed to donate 50p from each sale of the re-release of Combine Harvester (Brand New Key) to a fighting fund for the foot-and-mouth crisis.

Pete Budd, John Miles, Reg Quantrill and Tommy Banner

Today, the band have started to gain a cult following among people who weren't around to hear them the first time around.

Tommy Banner has been with the band since its formation, and can often be heard on many of BBC Somerset Sound's programmes.

He insists the band never went away: "We have been busy doing concerts all over the country.

"We are popular among younger people now and many of our biggest fans are students.

"Youngsters from the West Country seem to go away to college and take our music with them and play it to their friends," he added.

Did you ever meet Adge? What do you think of The Wurzels?

ohh arr ohh arr age 12
i really enjoy The Wurzels my frinds think i am mad for singing songs by the wurzles wild dressed up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!