Not only will 10CC be performing their greatest hits they will be playing their ground-breaking album Sheet Music in its entirety at Bournemouth’s Pavilion.

It coincides (almost) with the album’s 40th anniversary.

But this fact didn’t enter the mind of Graham Gouldman, founder-member, bassist and songwriter with the band, who is still fronting it today.

“I never even thought of the anniversary,” the Manchester-born musician tells me from his London home, having just got back from a Japanese tour the day before.

“I felt that we should do something different from the hits package.”

So why Sheet Music and not The Original Soundtrack, a more successful album and the one that IS 40 years old this year?

“A simple reason. It’s my favourite album.”

It was the band’s first top ten album and spawned two hit singles with Wall Street Shuffle and Silly Love.

“I didn’t have to think very hard about which album to play,” Graham said.

“It’s a light, bright, happy, funny album while Original Soundtrack is a bit darker.”

“The whole album has a cohesiveness about it and we were on a high having just had hits with Donna and Rubber Bullets [their first of three chart-topping singles].”

Arranging songs for a live performance can be difficult but 10CC’s songs were finely crafted, with complex instrumentation, witty lyrics and perfect harmonies and presumably caused problems.

“Yes, quite a lot actually,” Graham admits. “They always do because we never wrote them with live performances in mind.

“It was challenging but we seem to manage and we want to try and get them as near to the originals as we possibly can.”

And audiences who have seen the band live can testify that they do get them near-perfect.

“Some of the songs we’re doing this time have never been played live before and I’m having to relearn them.

"10CC fans listen out for the littlest thing that makes a song special to them and it’s our job to get it right.”

“Also, as well as Sheet Music we’ll be doing the hits (I’m Not In Love, Dreadlock Holiday and Life is a Minestrone to name but three), certain album tracks and some surprises.”

Such as?

“If I told you, it wouldn’t be a surprise.” He grins.

Tickets are available from the box office and all the usual agencies.