ELECTRONIC music pioneer Delia Derbyshire, famous for creating the Doctor Who theme tune, will have a Coventry road named in her honour.
Derbyshire Way will be part of the new housing estate on the former Lyng Hall School playing fields in Stoke Heath in memory of the Coundon-born musician.
The announcement follows months of campaigning by Coventry Music Museum director, Pete Chambers BEM.
“I firmly believe that if she were alive today Delia would have triple ‘D’ status, she would be Dame Delia Derbyshire, sadly that will never happen,” Mr Chambers explained.
“So it’s wonderfully fitting that there is something in her native Coventry dedicated to this very special lady.”
The road was originally meant to be named Derbyshire Road, but Pete suggested ‘Way’ instead to give it a double meaning – in recognition of both her genius and strong personality.
Coventry Music Museum director, Pete Chambers BEM, campaigned to have the road named in Delia Derbyshire’s honour. s
Local people showed their support for the road naming in Delia’s honour at the permanent display to her at the Coventry Music Museum, which was opened by her partner Clive Blackburn last year.
Councillors Linda Bigham and Gary Ridley were both key supporters of the road naming.
Coun Bigham said: “The diversity of Coventry is matched by the diversity of our music.
“It is a pleasure to see Delia Derbyshire honoured here, where she was born and where electronic music flourishes.”
Describing Delia Derbyshire as a ‘true pioneer of electronic music’ who produced sounds ahead of their time, Coun Ridley added: “Delia will remain a national treasure and this is a fitting tribute to one of Coventry’s most celebrated daughters.”
Next May the museum will celebrate what would have been Delia’s 80th Birthday, when it is hoped there will be an official ceremony to officially name Derbyshire Way.
Pete Chambers added: “It’s fitting as we bid for the City Of Culture 2021, that the bid does not ignore our music heritage, and that people from around the world know Delia was a Coventry legend.
“A woman who influenced The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Orbital, The Chemical Brothers and even Pink Floyd, indeed, she is considered by many to be the Mother of Progressive Rock.”
Delia Derbyshire is best remembered for creating the iconic Doctor Who theme and bringing electronic music to the masses.
She was inducted into the Coventry Music Wall of Stars in 2012.
