The Coventry Music Wall of Fame takes on a very visionary look for the April 27th, with three real Coventry music pioneers. At The 2-Tone Village Ball Hill Coventry, CV2 4ED. Jerry will be in attendance.
Jerry Dammers (Sponsored by Dave ‘Hatter’ Johnston)
It’s impossible to underestimate Jerry Dammer’s influence on the Coventry music scene, it was his vision and stroke of genius that formed The Specials and indeed The 2-Tone Record label. Without Jerry Dammers our music scene would be a very different place. That’s to say nothing of his song writing talent, arrangement skills and keyboard wizardry. In 1984 his song “Nelson Mandela” helped to highlight the plight of the imprisoned Mandela to the world perfectly. In 2005 Jerry received an Honorary Degree from Coventry University for his outstanding contribution to the international music industry little wonder he holds such an iconic place in the world of popular music.
Delia Derbyshire (Sponsored by Pete & Julie Chambers)
If you use the words electronic music and pioneer together, then along with Theremin and Stockhausen, Delia Derbyshire’s name would be undoubtedly mentioned. As part of the BBC Electronic Workshop it was Delia’s groundbreaking arrangement of The Doctor Who theme that helped give the series it’s brooding ‘hiding at the back of the settee’ atmosphere. She worked with the likes of Paul McCartney, Pink Floyd and Karlheinz Stockhausen, and her creativity in the world of electronic music has made her a true Coventry Icon in every sense of the word. Delia is sadly no longer with us, but her partner Clive Blackburn will be present to represent her on the day.
Ray King (Sponsored by West Indian centre)
Ray (or Vibert Cornwell ), has been a major mover on the scene right back to the 60’s with the innovative Ray King Soul band, playing all over the world and rubbing shoulders with the rich and famous. It was Ray who gave many eventual 2-Tone legends, their first break in his bands Nite Train and Pharaohs Kingdom, indeed Specials guitarist Lynval Golding once said, “No Ray King, No 2-Tone”. This musical innovation along with his work with the West Indian community in general and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in particular helped to earn Ray an Honorary Degree from Coventry University in 2010.
Already Bob Brolly MBE , Lynval Golding, Steve ’Cardboard’ Eaton, Vince Martin Holliday, Panjabi MC, Neol Davies, Hazel O’Connor, Pete Chambers, Pauline Black, Roger Lomas, Vince Hill and Steve & Heather Taylor, Roddy Byers, Charley Anderson, John Bradbury and Lieutenant Pigeon have all been proudly inducted. You can continue to nominate at www.2tonecentral.co.uk or at any of Coventry’s Libraries.
Entry is free and open to the public but by wristband only, these are available from the 2-Tone Village, Ball Hill, it’s a 3.30 arrive for a 4.00pm start.
Pictures courtesy of Pete Chambers.