Keep on rockin’ to the Black Country beats
THE Black Country may be known for metal bashing but we can bash out a good tune too. And not just heavy metal – our region has a fine tradition of making music of all kinds and scoring chart success. An exhibition currently at Wolverhampton Art Gallery and due to run until early September celebrates all the very best in Black Country music. Called Black Country Beats, the exhibition has something to suit all tastes. A large section of the exhibition is given over to, arguably, our region’s most successful band in terms of chart hits – Slade. Their story from their earliest days to hitting the big time in the 1970s and ’80s is told, with dozens of artefacts and photos, original stage costumes and even one of Dave Hill’s “Superyob”guitars. You can also sit down and watch their 1975 film Slade in Flame, described by film critic Mark Kermode as “the Citizen Kane of rock musicals.” The exhibition showcases three individual stars, R&B soul superstar Beverley music producer, DJ and visual and legendary singer, songwriter and musician Robert Plant.
Another section charts the emergence of the Black Country’s reggae and sound system culture. Bands from Wolverhampton such as Weapon of Peace, Capital Letters and solo artists like Macka B and Sister Aisha contributed to the creation of a British version of reggae and ska and paved the way for future generations of hiphop, rap, jungle and grime artists.
In the late ’80s and into the 1990s, new bands emerged, such as the Mighty Lemon Drops, the Wonder Stuff, Pop Will Eat Itself and Ned’s Atomic Dustbin and on display are photos, films, posters and artefacts including Alex Griffin’s bass guitar with the “Kill Your Television” sticker that inspired the Ned’s 1990 single. Later chart-topping bands Babylon Zoo and Cornershop also feature.
The rise of bhangra music in the Black Country with bands such as the Sahotas is explored before the final section of the exhibition looks at live venues past and present across the Black Country and the international stars that have played at the Wolverhampton Civic Hall.
Black County Beats runs until September 4 at Wolverhampton Art Gallery – log on at www.wolverhampton art.org.uk for more details.