Town remembers Hacienda and Factory Music history

Putting Rochdale music on the map: Chris Hewitt (left) John Brierley (right) return to the place it all began in 1977 – the Kenion Street music building in Rochdale which will be honoured with a blue plaque next week.

1 More Image(s) In Gallery

Rochdale’s place in music history will be celebrated next week with the unveiling of two new blue plaques.

One of the plaques will be on the Kenion Street Music Building in Rochdale, former home to a music shop, hire company and two successive studios – Cargo Studios and then Peter Hook’s Suite 16 Studios.

Last week John Brierley and Chris Hewitt returned to reflect on a building which meant so much to them. “I’m pleased it’s being recognised,” said John, who started recording Tractor on tape recorders in 1968.

“In 1977 Chris and I set up a music shop, PA hire company and 16 track recording studio here and it was used by all the major new wave bands of the time.”

Joy Division and New Order’s bass set up was built there together with the sound system used at the legendary Hacienda club in Manchester.

From 1977 onwards it saw a stream of bands from Manchester, Liverpool and all over the UK pass through its doors. Joy Division recorded there from 1978.

In 1984 John Brierley moved from sound to video, so Chris Hewitt bought the studio with Peter Hook (New Order) and the pair opened the studio as ‘Suite 16’.

“It’s very important that we recognise the links to our borough and the many famous names in the music industry that became world famous,” said Chris.

Avid music fan Dominic Brunt, who plays Paddy from ITV1 soap Emmerdale, will be in town next Wednesday. He said he was a regular visitor to the Hacienda in its heyday and is well aware of Rochdale's links to Factory Records and the legendary club: “I’ve always been a massive fan, and have a great collection of CD’s relating to that era. I actually bought a Tractor CD recently, and knew it was recorded in Rochdale.”

Other guests will include Andy Mcluskey from OMD who recorded hit single Electricity in Rochdale, Ian McNabb from Icicle Works and Pete Wylie from The Mighty Wah.