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‘Give freedom to city’s King of Rock ’n Roll’
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| MUSIC STAR: Paddy McAloon pictured at last year's Lanchester Carnival with his daughter, Georgia |
A MUSIC fan has launched a
campaign to win the freedom of
Durham City for a local pop
singer-songwriter who
achieved chart success in the
1980s.
Former city councillor
Richard Omerod believes the
city council should bestow the
honour on Paddy McAloon,
songwriter of Prefab Sprout,
whose 1988 album From Langley
Park to Memphis spawned
their biggest hit single, The King
of Rock 'n Roll.
Mr McAloon, 50, formed the
band with his brother Martin
and held early rehearsals at the
family's garage in Witton
Gilbert, a few miles from the
city.
The band went on to win
wide acclaim for its music in
Britain and abroad.
Mr Ormerod, of Gilesgate,
Durham, said: "As well as making
fabulous music with Prefab
Sprout, his songs have been
recorded by major artists such
as Kylie Minogue, Cher and
Jimmy Nail, and he is widely regarded
as one of the finest
songwriters of his generation.
"I think it is high time our city
recognised and honoured its
most famous musical son.
"I think he is someone that
Durham should do something
to honour as he has achieved
greatly in his own particular
field.''
Mr Omerod added: "As the
city council isn't going to be
around much longer - because
of the new unitary council -
now is the time to do something
about it.''
Mr McAloon, who has suffered
sight problems in recent
years, released a solo album, I
Trawl the Megahertz, in 2003.
He wrote the theme tune to the
ITV Sunday night drama Where
the Heart Is.
Mr Ormerod, who plans to
approach the city council about
the idea, is urging anybody who
supports the campaign to email
him at freedom4paddyhotmail.
co.uk
The Liberal Democrat leader
of the council, Fraser
Reynolds, who also comes
from Witton Gilbert and knew
the McAloon family, said: "I
can't commit the council to
anything, it would have to be
considered carefully by the
council members.
He added: "We have all sorts
of people who have been given
the freedom of the city, from
long-standing councillors to the
former MP Gerry Steinberg and
Archbishop Desmond Tutu."
2:35pm Friday 22nd February 2008
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CommentPosted by: cliff webb, croydon on 4:04pm Sat 1 Mar 08
he deserves it
Posted by: Jason, Kirk Deighton on 8:29am Sun 2 Mar 08
If Paddy is happy with it then I hope he is granted the honour. His achievements in the arts deserve local recognition.
If Paddy is happy with it then I hope he is granted the honour. His achievements in the arts deserve local recognition.
Posted by: John Tozer, London on 12:30pm Sun 2 Mar 08
The man is a genius and brings credit to the great city of Durham.
The man is a genius and brings credit to the great city of Durham.
Posted by: Jean, Åbo, Finland on 7:58am Mon 3 Mar 08
Because of Paddy (and Martin, his brother) thousands of fans all around the world are aware of Durham. He is, without a doubt, one of the most gifted songwriters of his generation. All around the world we carry Prefab Sprout's music with us: from the CD players our cars, to lyrics in our minds that carry us through our daily lives.
Because of Paddy (and Martin, his brother) thousands of fans all around the world are aware of Durham. He is, without a doubt, one of the most gifted songwriters of his generation. All around the world we carry Prefab Sprout's music with us: from the CD players our cars, to lyrics in our minds that carry us through our daily lives.
Posted by: Jaime Castro, Argentina-Buenos Aires on 2:45pm Sun 9 Mar 08
Paddy: Here's the most passionate fan in South America. Your music makes happy to many of your fans. You deserve it! My biggest dream is to see Prefab Sprout live someday.
Paddy: Here's the most passionate fan in South America. Your music makes happy to many of your fans. You deserve it! My biggest dream is to see Prefab Sprout live someday.
Posted by: Wayne Nuessle, New York on 3:35pm Sun 9 Mar 08
When I first heard "Appetite" I was forced to pull my car to the side of the road in the Bronx, NY to just sit back and absorb what I was hearing. Twenty- three years later my enthusiasm for this writer is unwavering.
Honor your son. His respect for the craft, execution, kindness and indeed, "elegance", has gone unmatched despite diligent efforts to find the next Prefab. His progressions, words, harmonies and perfectly depicted settings have provided a veritable life soundtrack for me in my corner of the world and for countless others, I'm sure.
When I first heard "Appetite" I was forced to pull my car to the side of the road in the Bronx, NY to just sit back and absorb what I was hearing. Twenty- three years later my enthusiasm for this writer is unwavering.
Honor your son. His respect for the craft, execution, kindness and indeed, "elegance", has gone unmatched despite diligent efforts to find the next Prefab. His progressions, words, harmonies and perfectly depicted settings have provided a veritable life soundtrack for me in my corner of the world and for countless others, I'm sure.
Posted by: Steve Hawkes on 8:47am Sat 15 Mar 08
It would be nice to honour Paddy. He is one of the greatest songwriters ever. A genius.
It would be nice to honour Paddy. He is one of the greatest songwriters ever. A genius.
Posted by: Ben, Belgium on 10:43am Fri 4 Apr 08
Paddy McAloon has been acclaimed by critics and fans worldwide as one of the most original and talented songwriters to emerge during the 1980s. Because of the unique songs they created, I expect that people will still be listening to Prefab Sprout in 25, 50 or 100 years time. I reckon that Paddy definitely deserves any respect and recognition that comes his way.
Paddy McAloon has been acclaimed by critics and fans worldwide as one of the most original and talented songwriters to emerge during the 1980s. Because of the unique songs they created, I expect that people will still be listening to Prefab Sprout in 25, 50 or 100 years time. I reckon that Paddy definitely deserves any respect and recognition that comes his way.
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