Camden’s own Amy Winehouse, Madness and Soul II Soul all to receive stones on the Music Walk of Fame

26 February 2020 - Press release

SECOND WAVE OF STONES TO BE UNVEILED OVER THE COURSE OF A WEEK
UNVEILINGS TO COINCIDE WITH BBC RADIO 6 MUSIC FESTIVAL
EACH UNVEILING TO BE FOLLOWED BY CELEBRATORY EVENTS

The week commencing 2 March will be a monumentous one for the already illustrious musical history of Camden Town as BBC Radio 6 will descend upon some of Camden’s most iconic venues for their BBC Radio 6 Music Festival, all whilst Camden’s very own Music Walk of Fame will continue it’s successful growth by adding three more artists to the stones…
 
The dates for each of the stone unveilings will be as follows: Madness on Monday 2 March, Amy Winehouse on Wednesday 4 March & finally Soul II Soul on Friday 6 March. All events will also feature surprise guest unveilers on the day.
 
Both the unveilings on 4 and 6 March will be followed by a series of unique and exciting events based around each of the trailblazing recipients.
 
Wednesday’s post-stone unveiling will see Music Walk of Fame host a fundraiser for The Amy Winehouse Foundation to help the important work they do to prevent the misuse of drugs and alcohol amongst young people. The gathering is to honour the legacy of Amy, one of the most influential artists of the 21st Century. It will be held from 1 pm – 4 pm at Gabetos Restaurant at the Stables Market, Chalk Farm Road, NW1 8AH.
 
To finish off the week’s proceedings on the Friday, there will be a live performance courtesy of the acid jazz band & Soul II Soul collaborators The Brand New Heavies, who will be performing a live concert in celebration of Soul II Soul’s contributions to music. Members of the original Sound System line-up (run by Jazzie B), Jazzi Q & Aitch B will also be on hand spinning some of the Soul II Soul classics and songs that soundtracked the time with a DJ set.
 
Finally, Music Walk of Fame Founding Committee Member and acclaimed rock photographer Jill Furmanovsky will be attending the events and documenting them in her own unmistakeable way.
 
Formed in 1976, Madness, the ultimate Camden Town boys, are widely considered as one of the most popular British bands of 1980s, with the band spending 214 weeks in the UK singles charts between 1980-1986. 15 of their singles hit the top ten in the UK including ‘One Step Beyond’, ’Baggy Trousers’ and ‘It Must Be Love’. The band also achieved number one success in the UK with ‘House Of Fun’ which went on to spend nine more weeks in the charts. The last 15 years have been the bands most prolific to date. Sending out 3 brand new albums as well as a performance on the roof of Buckingham Palace for the Queens Jubilee, truly showing no signs of slowing down with a new album is set for release later this year.
 
“Camden town has always been a hot bed of culture and music and we had the great privilege to have been given lift off from this great town. Without Camden we would have been nothing so it's a great honour to be the recipients of the Music Walk of Fame stone. Thank you” - Madness
 
‘The pre-eminent vocal talent of her generation’ Amy Winehouse became known for her mix of soul and rhythm and blues. Her debut album, Frank, was released in 2003 and became a success in the UK, being nominated for the Mercury Prize. Her second album, the era defining Back to Black, won five Grammys at the 2008 Grammy awards, tying the previous record of most wins by a female artist in a single night. She also became the first British woman to win five Grammys, including three of the big four Grammy awards: Best New Artist, Record Of The Year and Song Of The Year.
 
“We all know how much Amy adored her beloved Camden, so how fitting that her name is now part of the very fabric of the place she loved. To be part of the ‘Music Walk of Fame’ is such a great honour. We’re absolutely delighted that Amy’s musical legacy is being celebrated in this way”’ – Mitch & Janis Winehouse
 
Amy’s stone unveiling will be followed by an Amy Winehouse Foundation charity event in Camden’s Stables Market.
 
Soul II Soul - Formed in 1988, Soul II Soul are best known for their soul styled songs including the UK chart-topper and US top five ‘Back To Life (However Do You Want Me)’. The band has won two Grammy awards, for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal and the Best R&B Instrumental Performance. From 1990-1991 the band was nominated for five BRIT awards and won three Soul Train Music Awards.
 
“It’s great to be recognised for the music we produced and the movement we created, just a stone’s throw from where it all began.” – Jazzie B