COVENTRY music legends Neville Staple and Christine ‘Sugary’ Staple welcomed the unveiling of a plaque at the city’s railway station to remember important 2-Tone venues.
The pair were joined by Pete Chambers BEM, from the Coventry Music Museum, and Coun Jim O’Boyle, the council’s cabinet member jobs, regeneration and climate change.
The plaque, part of Coventry’s 2-Tone Trail, commemorates The Rocket Pub which was used by many artists – including The Specials and The Selecter – who recorded at Horizon Studios. The recording centre was just across the road from where the plaque was placed.
Watch the plaque unveiling by clicking the video below.
Neville said: “We did a lot of recording at Horizon, including Rude Boys Out of Jail – a time which holds particularly fond memories for me.
“Being here today brings back those memories and marks an important time for 2-Tone.”
Christine added: “We think this is amazing. Anything which celebrates Coventry’s history – especially its music past – has got to be a good thing.
“2-Tone started here and then went worldwide, inspiring many other musicians in the process.
“This plaque is important for both music in Coventry and around the World.”
Admiring the latest 2-Tone Trail plaque. Picture by Tristan Harris. Copyright Bullivant Media.
Pete had worked hard for three years to make the plaque a reality.
He said: “It’s taken so long to get this plaque – I’m so happy it is finally here.
“The Rocket Pub was used by so many artists and, likewise, Horizon has seen a lot of important music recorded there.”
And Coun O’Boyle added: “It’s a great tribute to the 2-Tone legacy here – the birthplace of this much-loved music genre.”
After the unveiling, there was an impromptu rendition of The Specials’ classic ‘A Message to You Rudi’. Click the video below to watch it.
There was an original plaque which celebrated Horizon Studios which stood on Warwick Road.
It was unveiled by Neville Staple and Buster Bloodvessel back in 2009 and stood on the front of The Rocket pub until the plaque sadly disappeared.
A few years later the whole pub was knocked down to make way for the new station entrance.
The plaque commemorates The Rocket pub and Horizon Studios. Picture by Tristan Harris. Copyright Bullivant Media.
The new plaque will commemorate both venues for many years to come.
