A huge mural celebrating the life and legacy of punk rock icon Pete Shelley has appeared in his hometown. The 200 sq m tribute based on the band's 1978 single Ever Fallen in Love has been created in Leigh where he was born and grew up.
Wigan Council has worked closely with The Pete Shelley Memorial Campaign on the mural near Leigh Town Hall and the historic Turnpike Centre. Pete is one of the most influential musicians the UK has ever produced, best known for his work with punk iconoclasts Buzzcocks.
He wrote a stream of classics in the late 1970s, including their biggest hit ‘Ever Fallen in Love (With Someone You Shouldn't've)’, which reached number 12 in the UK chart in 1978. The singer also pursued a successful solo career in the 1980s. His song ‘Homosapien’ charted in the US in 1981.
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Councillor Chris Ready, portfolio holder for culture at Wigan Council, said: “Anyone familiar with the British music scene, especially in the 1970s, will be familiar with the great work by Pete Shelley. Personally, I was a huge fan of Buzzcocks in my youth so to be involved in this is a huge honour.
“Pete’s hometown was Leigh and we are proud to give this mural a prominent spot that celebrates his amazing career in music and inspires others.”
The mural will be unveiled on July 10 and has been accomplished through over three years of fundraising coordinated by The Pete Shelley Memorial Campaign. It has been created by a collaboration between graphic art pioneer Malcolm Garrett MBE, and the highly acclaimed street artist Akse P19.
The project has also been supported by MS Properties (Northern) Ltd which has allowed their building to be used for the mural. Howard Lycett and Rebecca Hamilton, cousins of Pete Shelley and both still living locally to Leigh, said: “As a family we are delighted to have Pete back in his hometown and looking as vibrant as he ever was.
"Pete was always incredibly proud of his northern roots, and we hope that the mural will help Pete’s legacy live on and inspire more young artists and musicians to break down barriers and follow their dreams.”
The unveiling celebrations will start at 12pm on Sunday July 10, with speeches led by Malcolm Garrett and other special guests in front of the mural. Then from 1pm there will be a free post-unveiling show upstairs in The Turnpike Centre led by the superb Buzzcocks tribute band BUZZKOCKS, and Leigh punk luminaries STATIC LINE.
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