This week three more of the UK's most iconic music artists have been inducted into the Music Walk of Fame. Madness, Amy Winehouse and Soul II Soul were the latest names to be honoured in this new attraction.
Established at the end of last year in Camden, the Music Walk of Fame celebrates those that have blazed a trail through the world of music. Icons and innovators are being recognised, as well as the unsung heroes behind the music such as executives and producers. Each will be awarded a unique stone in celebration of their contributions. Over the next year a total of 20 stones plan to be laid and marked with special celebrations, whilst augmented reality technology, accessed via a visitors mobile phone, aims to turn the streets into a living museum.
The Who by Ray Stevenson, London 1967
The Who were the first artists to be immortalised on the Music Walk of Fame in November last year. In a statement, The Who's Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend said, "We are honoured to be the first band with a stone on the Music Walk Of Fame. Camden has always been vital to London’s thriving music scene and is, as we all know, a world-renowned hub for the arts. As Londoners, it’s very surreal to be immortalised in stone on Camden High Street, and it’s quite something to know that people can pop by and see us anytime, albeit virtually.”
Lee Bennett, Music Walk of Fame's founder believes that Camden was the natural home for this project. Camden is famous for its associations with key artists such as The Clash, Britpop and Sixties psychedelia, so its strong musical heritage and the high number of venues locates there, including Koko, The Roundhouse, Jazz Cafe and Electric Ballroom, made it the perfect location.
Suggs by Jill Furmanovsky at the Music Walk of Fame, March 2020 © Jill Furmanovsky
Madness by Jill Furmanovsky at the Music Walk of Fame, March 2020 © Jill Furmanovsky
Madness was a natural choice for the second stone. The band originated from Camden and played their first ever gig at the borough's legendary Dublin Castle. Suggs jokingly told the crowd at the band's inauguration, that the band has "single-handedly turned Camden Town from a s**thole into one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world". The event, which took place on Monday 2 March, was hugely attended with special celebrity guests including Dizzee Rascal and Lynval Golding from fellow 2 Tone band The Specials
Amy Winehouse Music Walk of Fame inauguration by Jill Furmanovsky, March 2020 © Jill Furmanovsky
Camden was also Amy Winehouse’s home and main stomping ground, and fans still regularly pay their respects outside her former house on Camden Road. The Hawley Arms was the local pub where Amy drank her favourite tipple and The Roundhouse on Chalk Farm Road was Amy played her last ever gig, which makes the location of the plaque fitting.
In a speech, Winehouse’s father, Mitch, who attended the ceremony alongside the singer’s mother, Janis, said: “This is a wonderful honour to be bestowed on our darling girl. It’s another reminder that she’s no longer with us physically, but she’s certainly with us spiritually.” He continued: “Camden Town was Amy’s life. She lived here and she loved it here.”
The Clash by Sheila Rock, Outside The Roundhouse, Camden 1976
The Music Walk of Fame which eventually stretch along the road between The Roundhouse and Koko. Future awardees will be selected by an international jury of musicians and industry stalwarts, including our very own Jill Furmanovsky. Lee Bennett said, ""Music Walk of Fame are so happy and excited to be working alongside Jill Furminovsky on various initiatives within the project. To also have such an acclaimed iconic photographer on our voting committee is a privilege. I look forward to a long lasting relationship. We are truly lucky".
The artist of the year award will be voted for by the public. Likely future artists include The Clash & Prince. Lee Bennett continued, "The honour of being celebrated with a Music Walk of Fame stone is soon to become one of the highest accolades in popular music".