Plaques to celebrate town's musical history

Peter Hook at the unveiling of the blue plaque at the Kenion Street Music Building.

1 More Image(s) In Gallery

Legendary former Joy Division and New Order bass guitarist Peter Hook was in Rochdale yesterday to unveil blue plaques on two buildings that played a key part in the town's musical history.

The plaques celebrate the musical contributions of Joy Division and DJ John Peel and the roles they played in the local music scene.

The first plaque was erected by Peter Hook on the former Tractor Sound Studios in Heywood. The studio was financed by John Peel in 1973, after local band Tractor had sent him a demo tape. The late DJ had lived in Rochdale and according to his wife Sheila Ravenscroft was a big fan of the region.

A second plaque is to feature at the Kenion Street Music Building. Formerly a home to Cargo Studios and Peter Hook's Suite 16 Studios, the building was in use from 1977 until 2001. Joy Division were among the bands to use it, and even had their bass equipment custom built on the ground floor. It was also used as the backdrop for the hit film '24 Hour Party People'.

Julie Evans, Business Liaison Manager at Rochdale Development Agency, who helped to drive the project along with Chris Hewitt of Ozit Morpheus Records, David Pugh, Museum’s Officer and Rochdale Council, said: “Rochdale is the focus of major investment and development at the moment, but as we look to the future it is also important to respect our heritage and we have a strong musical pedigree here.”