They took their first
Kent has a rich history of musicians stepping on to the global stage and selling millions of records worldwide.
The county’s contribution to the scene should never be underestimated after pumping out rock stars, DJs and pop icons.
From Dartford duo Mick Jagger and Keith Richards through to Bexleyheath’s Kate Bush, the industry has benefited from an array of talent born in our towns.
The late David Bowie is one of the biggest acts to have graced Maidstone and the surrounding areas when he joined the Manish Boys before his hugely successful solo career. Although his time in Maidstone was marred by a brutal beating at the hands of a thug in Mote Park, his brief spell playing gigs in the town in 1964 and 1965 is now immortalised. Bowie, who died in January 2016 from liver cancer, was honoured posthumously with the unveiling of a blue plaque at the Royal Star Arcade, in High Street, commemorating his musical roots. During an interview the starman recalled: “It was just this big Herbert walking down the street. He just knocked me down on the pavement and when I fell down, he proceeded to kick me for no reason that I can fathom to this day. “I haven’t got many good memories of Maidstone.” On hand to help Bob Solly, founder of the Manish Boys, unveil the plaque last week was drummer of The Clash Nick “Topper” Headon.
Headon, who has lived in Dover for most of his life, joined punk rock band The Clash in 1977 and was the man behind the hit Rock the Casbah.
Another south coast musician Noel Redding found fame as the bassist for the Jimi Hendrix Experience and recorded three LPs in two years with the legendary guitarist. Redding was born in Folke-