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Stockport has celebrated its musical heritage at a Town of Culture event hosted by Stockport Council at the town’s War Memorial Art Gallery.
Stockport Council welcomed music legend, Graham Gouldman to the town for an an intimate conversation and Q&A session with music as part of the town’s programme events marking its year as Greater Manchester Town of Culture.
Graham Gouldman is one of Britain’s most successful songwriters and was one quarter of the Manchester band 10cc, who ruled the airwaves in the 1970s. He was also one of the first financial investors in Stockport’s Strawberry Recording Studios in 1968 and remained a partner and director in the Studio until the 1980s, helping to cement Stockport’s place as the premier location for bands of all types to record in the North of England.
At the sold-out event, Graham performed 10cc hits Bus Stop, No Milk Today and I’m Not in Love – the first time that a member of the band has performed in Stockport since the original line up split up in 1976. He discussed his long and varied career with Dr Peter Wadsworth, but in particular the time he spent recording in Stockport.
The evening ended with a Q+A session, led by Dr Peter Wadsworth, who has researched the Studio’s history since the 1980s. Graham also visited Stockport Museum, where he saw the Strawberry Studio display and mosaic, commissioned for the 50th anniversary exhibition, for the first time.
Cllr Mark Hunter, Leader of Stockport Council, said:
“This was a fantastic evening as part of our Town of Culture programme and it was fascinating to hear Graham reminisce about his early career in Stockport and the legendary Strawberry Studios. The fact that we can attract artists such as Graham to the town, after seeing thousands of visitors flock to the town centre to support our Spectacular Sunday event last weekend, is testament to our great reputation and the quality of events on offer.“
Dr Peter Wadsworth said:
“It was an honour to welcome Graham back to Stockport for the first time in over 30 years to discuss his career and the music he wrote and recorded in Stockport as part of 10cc and of the Strawberry Studios team. It was also great that Graham was able to visit the Strawberry display in Stockport Museum ahead of his visit to the Art Gallery so that he could see the impact Strawberry had on both the town and British music history.”
Graham Gouldman said:
“The town has changed so much since my last visit but was lovely to be back. Without Strawberry then 10cc wouldn’t have existed so we have a lot thank Stockport for.”