Big names of city’s music history now set in stone

DUNDONIANS are being encouraged to take a walk down the city’s musical memory lane.

A Walk of Fame has been laid, bearing the first inscribed slabs honouring legendary people and places from Dundee’s music scene down the decades.

They include universally known figures including Michael Marra, Billy Mackenzie and the Average White Band.

But the man who led the project says it is as much a celebration of those who played an important part in the culture of the city without hitting the big time.

Jake McDonough promised it is just the first step. The walk is at the north entrance to the Overgate centre, near Bank Street.

Here are the names already set in stone, some of which may be familiar:

St Andrew and the Woollen Mill, Average White Band, Jim Boag, The Black Diamonds, Lorna Bannon, Peter “Pepe” Benedetti, Danny Brady, Bob Clarke, Donny Coutts, George Christie, Willie Clark, Susan Childe & the Flamingoes; Gary Clark, Clark’s on Lindsay Street, The Cows, Ronnie Davie, Kenny Day, Jimmy Deuchar, Ron Duncan, Dundee Horns, Mark Dayton and the Honours.

Also, Exhibition, Gus Foy, Alastair “Breeks” Brodie, Groucho’s, Billy Hastie, Tony Hoey, Johnny Hudson, John Huband, Chris Hogan, Tam Harris, Hunter’s Key, Stu Ivins, Maureen Jelks, Shona Kerwin, Jim Kelly, Abbie Laing & the Pardners; George Litzbarski, Drew Larg, and Albert Laing.

Michael Marra, Christopher Marra, Joe McKay, Mafia, Dougie Martin, Gerry McGrath, Billy Mackenzie, George Montgomery, Tam McLean, Davie Mack, Brian “BB” McAllister, Steve McDonald, Bruce Money, and Scooby Martin.

Finally, Jonathan “Jog” Ogilvie, Ian Pryde, Poor Souls, Andi Lothian’s Palais, Bob Quinn, Yvonne Robb, Ringer, Grant Roberts, Jim Reid, The Sleaz Band, SanJo Sandra and Joan, The Time Bandits, Gerry Toal, Stan Urban, Tony Vincent, The Wally Dugs, Danny Wilson, Sheena Wellington, and Dave Young.

In 2015, Jake began the campaign to create the walk of fame and the first stage came to fruition after a local campaign raised thousands for the inscribed slabs.

Former head teacher Jake said: “It’s been great to get it done, but this is just the first step.

“Hopefully there will be an official unveiling later on, but it’s already a talking point. At the moment it’s not that well signposted. But hopefully that will change.

“And whenever I’m down there, people are stopping to look at the names and reminisce. So it opens up conversations and memories.

“That’s what it’s really about – remembering the bands, the people and the places people loved going.”

The group’s Facebook page has enjoyed a great response to the walk.

There is now a drive to get another £2,000 to add the latest clutch of names chosen for recognition.

The next band of inductees will be:

Jim McKenzie, Neil Connell, Mike Heary, Jim McAra, Glen Jones, Jack Dillon, Louis O’Neil, Kenny Whyte, Alan Gorrie, The McLevy Family – Frank, John, Joe and Pat.

Also Kevin Geoghegan, The East Coast Jazzmen, John Ford, Bobby Barty, Alan Breitenbach/Legrand, John Coutts, Jackie Cook, Ronnie Jack, Robbie McIntosh, Clark/ Phil Robertson, John T & Green Onions.

Jake said: “We’ve got the initial hall of fame and then will be working through the decades. It costs a bit to do, but if we can keep the fundraising going then in a few years’ time you might end up with The View and some of the more contemporary musicians which the city has.

“We want people to go along and enjoy it and we’ve had some really good feedback.

“With a bit of luck it can be added to some of the tourism material for Dundee and it will give visitors something else to go and see.”

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