Specials star Jerry Dammers to join music wall of fame

[dutchman]

Specials founder Jerry Dammers heads the latest trio of stars to join Coventry’s music Wall of Fame.

He will be joined by Delia Derbyshire, the musical mastermind behind one of the most iconic pieces of music in television history – the Doctor Who theme.

The latest crop of Coventry celebrities to be honoured with their own plaque is completed by Ray King, the soul star often cited as a key forefather of the 2-Tone movement.

Wall of Fame organiser and Telegraph Backbeat columnist Pete Chambers said: “It’s impossible to underestimate Jerry Dammers’ 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 our music scene would be a very different place.”

As well as founding the band, Dammers is also responsible for their biggest hit, Ghost Town.

The track hit the top of the singles charts back in 1981.

As such,it was only a matter of time before he joined former bandmates Lynval Golding, Roddy Byers and John Bradbury on the wall of fame.

Dammers also penned the 1984 song Nelson Mandela, helping to inform an entire generation about the plight of the prisoner who would become president of South Africa.



Delia Derbyshire is still regarded as one of the great pioneers of electronic music, having worked with Paul McCartney and Pink Floyd.

However, she is best known for penning the Doctor Who theme with the BBC Electronic Workshop.

Coventry music historian Mr Chambers said: “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.

“Delia is sadly no longer with us but her partner Clive Blackburn will represent her on the day.”

Ray King was a major mover as far back as the 1960s, playing all of the world with the Ray King Soul band.

He gave many eventual 2-Tone legends their first breaks in his bands Nite Train and Pharaohs Kingdom.

That prompted Specials guitarist Lynval Golding to declare “no Ray King, no 2-Tone”.

He will join illustrious names such as Hazel O’Connor, Pauline Black and Grammy winner Roger Lomas on the wall of fame at the 2-Tone Village in Ball Hill on April 27.

Entry is free and open to members of the public who obtain wristbands in advance. To nominate your favourite Coventry stars for the wall of fame visit http://www.2tonecentral.co.uk or any city library.

[dutchman]

He will be joined by Delia Derbyshire

And about time too!

She actually arranged the Doctor Who Theme, Ron Grainer wrote it. As a BBC Radiophonic Workshop employee Delia was barred from receiving any credit for the arrangement even though Ron Grainer had offered her half.

See also:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/profile ... derbyshire

and:

http://zero1magazine.com/2009/10/delia-derbyshire/