Selecter Anniversary 2009
I saw this on the Neol Davies site - 2009 is Selecter / Specials anniversary - Might be a tie in / angle there for the launch of the exhibition - maybe they could play!!
"There is renewed contact between the original members of The Selecter recently and only time will tell if the the band can re-invent itself and celebrate (not the bullet) it's upcoming 30th anniversary in 2009. The band's most well known hit was On My Radio and it came out in Autumn 1979 and sold 250,000 copies in the UK, that's something to shout about so I want to know if people would really want to go and see the original members of The Selecter perform onstage again. Let me know if you can be bothered! I will forward all replies to the Minister For Ska and see if we can get a grant or something"
Neol Davies site The extract was taken from a post on the right hand side called
It has to start somewhere.
Larger exhibits
One idea I had that I didn't mention at the meeting. Was the idea of a mock-up of Jerry Dammers flat (actually just a one wall diorama). This was effectively Two Tone HQ 1979-1980. I think it would work as a centre-piece to any Specials/Two Tone exhibit. The museum already has hand written lyrics and other items that could be included in this diorama. I have photographs of the whole room to base designs on.
Other bi-product stars of the Cov music scene include Chuck Berry, who famously recorded My Ding-A-ling at Coventry's Locarno. As a point of trivia, when Chuck was hitting number one in The USA, Lieutenant Pigeon were number one in the UK. This meant both number one's either side of the pond, were recorded in Coventry, can't see that happening ever again.
As we also touched on; Reggae star Lee Sratch Perry recorded the Grammy award winning album at Roger Lomas's studio in Coventry. Roger Lomas remains the only Cov musician to win a Grammy.
The Clash and the Sex Pistols both played on the same bill at Coventry's Lanch (Cov Uni), 48 hours before the famous Filth & Fury headlines provoked by Bill Grundy infamous interview with the Pistols. It was effectively the last gig they would perform before the tabloid press went critical mass over punk rock and its "evil" followers.
Regards all
Pete Chambers
Events programme
The programme of events linked to the exhibition could include:-
Launch party
Live performances by bands in
café or Studio space
Film screenings
Talks programme
Possible commission of a theatre company to create and perform a piece of musical theatre which could then tour other venues
Local bands could be asked to cover songs from other bands from the city. These could be made into a CD which could be sold.
It will be important to promote the work of new young artists.
Exhibition venue
The exhibition will be held in the Herbert's gallery 4 and will run for a period of 2-3 months. Other spaces within the Herbert could also be used for linked activities,
e.g. café, studio space, media studios, etc.
Exhibition content
The exhibition would focus on events in Coventry, but the scope should be widened to include the rest of
Warwickshire, especially
Leamington, Warwick,
Stratford, Rugby. The chronological range of the exhibition would be from the 1950s (birth of rock & roll) to the present day.
A timeline could be used to give a chronological framework to the exhibition, within which these themes could be explored in some depth.
The exhibition should be rich in content, including objects, stories and the music itself. Objects would need to be borrowed from people involved in the music scene. A number of people have been approached already and most were willing to loan items. Potential objects include instruments, gold discs, clothing worn by band members, fan memorabilia, etc. The Herbert can guarantee the security of any items loaned, which would be displayed in secure showcases.
It is important that the right atmosphere is created, through the use of sound, etc.
An important aspect of the exhibition would be to look to the future and to encourage people to make music.
Content could include film of Top of the Pops performances by Coventry bands, karaoke,
juke boxes, oral history, etc.
The exhibition should be wide ranging and have layers of interpretation so that it appeals to all age groups, including families and schools.
AV and multimedia exhibits could be used to provide access to more information, including access to relevant websites.
Welcome
Welcome to the Coventry Music Exhibition blog. This is the forum for discussing the proposal, suggesting new ideas and taking the exhibition forward.
The current proposal is to hold a temporary exhibition at The Herbert towards the end of 2009. This would be used to test the feasibility of a permanent gallery on the subject.
The exhibition aims are:
• To record the history of the music scene in Coventry
• To inspire the musicians of the future
• To celebrate the creativity of the city and instill civic pride
Key themes
• Main acts/heroes/chart successes
• Behind the scenes (e.g. producers, studios, venues, instrument makers)
• Social history context (e.g. fashions, politics)
