Crowdfunder for Dundee’s wall of fame

HERITAGE: Former teacher’s campaign aims to celebrate city’s music heroes

Foundations are being laid for a wall of fame celebrating the unsung heroes of Dundee’s music scene.

As part of a plan which will also see due recognition given to local stars who have made it big, a crowdfunder has been launched to carve in stone some of the names people flocked to see in the pubs and clubs of 20th Century halcyon days.

Former primary school head teacher Jake Mcdonough is spearheading the campaign, which he hopes could also lead to an annual hall of fame celebration event.

The idea has gained new impetus during lockdown, with memories stirred of crowd-pulling names from the past on the campaign’s Facebook site.

Jake said: “It started as an idea a wee while ago and has been trickling along, but we have now decided to launch this crowdfunder to get the wall of fame idea going. We wanted to keep alive the memories and pay tribute to all who have contributed to a rich local musical heritage.

“Dundee has produced international and national musical talent, such as Ricky Ross, Billy Mackenzie, Danny Wilson and Mick Marra but in the clubs, pubs and streets we have worthies and characters who during the 20th Century and since entertained us.

“Like many, I went along to see my favourite bands at the weekend and I’ve been posting some vintage photographs and footage from some of the names.

“That seems to have gone down quite well with people so hopefully we can get interest around the crowdfunder and create the wall of fame.

“In the first instance this will be about the unsung heroes from the 20th century, favourites from the ’50s and ’60s through to the ’80s and ’90s.

“There are a lot of figures in there and this is a chance to thank them all.

“A second part is the idea of a walk of fame of the type you see in other places honouring the big names who have gone on to wider fame.

“Then, further down the line, we also want to try and set up a hall of fame with an annual induction around maybe a charity concert.”

The Justgiving crowdfunder’s £2,000 target aims to generate enough cash for the first 100 bricks in the wall.

Picture: Kim Cessford. Former primary school head teacher and Dundee music fan Jake Mcdonough.