A NUMBER of Wales’s biggest music names will be performing a selection of hits written by a Penrhyndeudraeth musician and songwriter in an upcoming television show.

A special episode of the S4C music series, Y Stiwdio Gefn: Sbardun, will see musicians such as Bryn Fon and Linda Griffiths perform some of Alun ‘Sbardun’ Huws’ biggest hits.

Presenter Lisa Gwilym will look back at the career of the Meirionnydd guitarist and the influence he had on musicians across Wales. There will also be contributions from Bryn Fon, Brigyn and others.

Lisa said: “Sbardun was a member of well-known bands such as Tebot Piws, Ac Eraill and Mynediad am Ddim, but what struck me was the sheer range of artists for whom he wrote songs, such as Bryn Fon, Brigyn and Casi Wyn.

“Themes such as ‘belonging’ and ‘community’ were big themes in his song writing.

“The song ‘Strydoedd Aberstalwm’ is a tribute to his hometown, Penrhyndeudraeth, and is now regarded as one of the most important songs in the history of popular Welsh music.”

As a member of Tebot Piws, one of the most innovative bands of the 1970s, Sbardun became regarded as one of the country’s most prolific songwriters. As a performer and one of the composers of the rock opera, Nia Ben Aur in 1974, Sbardun played his part in the celebrated Welsh-language musical, based on an Irish legend.

Another of the other composers of Nia Ben Aur, Cleif Harpwood, is the producer of Y Stiwdio Gefn.

Cleif said: “It was an honour and a pleasure to produce the show. I first met Sbardun in 1970, as a ‘swog’ at the Urdd centre in Llangrannog. He was a likeable character, full of humour.

“We worked together many times over the years, as musicians and within the world of television. As well as his talent as a musician, Sbardun was a brilliant director and producer. He was also an artist, photographer and poet.”

Others performing some of Sbardun’s hits on the show are Magi Tudur and Cut Lloi. Viewers can also see the first-ever public performance of ‘Lili’r Wyddfa’, by Cowbois Rhos Botwnnog and Osian Huw Williams of Candelas; a song Sbardun wrote especially for the Cowbois two years ago.

Y Stiwdio Gefn: Sbardun will be shown on S4C at 9pm on Saturday, 12 December.