Joy Division and John Peel celebrated in Rochdale with 'blue plaques'

Rochdale’s musical heritage has been officially put on the map with two new blue plaques celebrating the lives of legends involved in the local scene.

As part of the borough’s ongoing regeneration, the plaques were placed on two buildings in Rochdale and Heywood town centres and unveiled by Peter Hook of Joy Division and New Order fame.

 The first plaque was mounted on the former Tractor Sound Studios in Heywood, which was financed by John Peel in 1973, after local band Tractor had sent him a demo tape. The late DJ had lived in Rochdale and his wife Sheila Ravenscroft recorded a message for the event speaking about his love for Rochdale.

A second plaque was placed on the Kenion Street Music Building. Formerly a home to Cargo Studios, Tractor Music and Peter Hook and Chris Hewitt’s Suite 16 Studios; the building was in use from 1977 until 2001. Joy Division had their bass equipment custom built on the ground floor and it was used as the backdrop for the hit film '24 Hour Party People.'  

Peter Hook was joined by Chris Hewitt of Tractor and Suite Sixteen (also event organiser) John Brierley of Tractor /Cargo, Shan Hira of Suite Sixteen, Steve Clayton of Tractor; plus celebrities Andy McCluskey from OMD; actor Dominic Brunt, who plays Paddy in  Emmerdale Farm and music writer and musician John Robb.

 Julie Evans, Business Development Manager at Rochdale Development Agency, helped to drive the project along with Chris Hewitt, David Pugh, Museum’s Officer and Rochdale Borough Council.

She said: “There is a lot of investment and regeneration work helping to revitalize Heywood and Rochdale town centres and we felt the time was right to celebrate Rochdale’s strong musical pedigree. As we look to the future with new developments, it’s also important to respect our heritage.”

Peter Hook played an exclusive gig following the launch of the plaques along with celebrity DJs and bands. At the unveiling he said: “These studios in Heywood and Rochdale were important for countless people who made and recorded music.”