The vibrant and diverse music scene of Manchester has long been hailed as one of the most influential in the world. However, there is an important story that remains untold - the invaluable contributions of Black musicians to this city’s rich musical heritage.

Today, we are excited to announce a ground-breaking initiative aimed at shining a much-needed spotlight on these unsung heroes.
Led by Karen Gabay, social historian, TV producer & radio broadcaster, in collaboration with the Nubian Jak Community Trust and the Manchester Digital Music Archive, we are launching a campaign to install blue plaques across Greater Manchester. We will be honouring the people, places, and events to mark the often-unsung contributions of late musicians and music industry figures of Black and mixed heritage.

Manchester, with its storied musical history, is home to an astonishingly low number of blue plaques and statues commemorating the outstanding achievements of Black and global majority musicians. The blue plaques for Black music initiative in Greater Manchester seeks to rectify this oversight and ensure that this history is acknowledged and celebrated for generations to come.

The first phase of our campaign will see the installation of three blue plaques, commemorating three of the most unsung, under-rated, and gifted women of the 20th and 21st century, with strong associations to the city.

The first blue plaques we hope to be installed will be for singer and songwriter Denise Johnson, and vocalist & songwriter Diane Charlemagne, both Manchester artists. These remarkable women blessed us with their voices on some of the most treasured tracks of the dancefloors and British music culture.

Diane Charlemagne’s vocals graced songs that included 52nd Street’s "Tell Me How it Feels," Goldie's "Inner City Life,” & “The Key, The Secret “with Urban Cookie Collective, whilst Denise Johnson sang the underground classic with Fifth of Heaven’s Just A Little More & Primal Scream's "Screamadelica." Denise went onto write and produce her captivating and fiercely independent debut album, “Where Does It Go” that was posthumously released in 2020. Available to buy from Piccadilly Records.

Denise and Diane are undoubtedly two of the finest vocalists that Manchester and the UK has ever produced. The call for recognition for these singer/songwriters is supported by musicians world-wide.

The third honouree is Sister Rosetta Tharpe, an African American singer and guitarist from Cotton Plant, Arkansas. Sister Rosetta was one of the most influential musicians in the history of popular music - known as the Godmother of Rock ‘n’ Roll. In 1964, Sister Rosetta’s performed in Manchester on the Gospel and Blues Train filmed for Granada TV. Her iconic performance has influenced musicians around the world, and continues to have an impact, yet there is no permanent plaque or statue documenting Rosetta’s iconic performance in the city. Sister Rosetta was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018, making it even more essential to recognize her with a permanent plaque in Manchester.

The first blue plaque to be installed will be for Denise Johnson, who was born and raised in Manchester. She lived in the city for her entire musical career.

We invite the public to join us in our mission to honour and support an inclusive and representative narrative of Manchester's musical heritage. Together, we can ensure that their legacies continue to resonate and inspire future generations.

Donate

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