STV NewsLulu says “music is in every Glaswegian’s blood” after becoming the first artist to receive a blue plaque as part of a new Music Heritage Trail in her home city.
The Scots singing sensation is the first to be honoured among artists including Lewis Capaldi, Simple Minds, Belle and Sebastian, Texas and Wet Wet Wet at locations of musical significance across Glasgow.
The Nordoff and Robbins Music Heritage Trail, funded by Bill and Fiona Gordon of organisation ScotsRock, aims to recognise the achievements of celebrated songwriters, performers and music venues.
The 77-year-old said she was “proud to be back where it all began” as she unveiled the plaque at a civic reception at the City Chambers on Thursday.
It will hang on the former Lindella Jive Club on Union Street where she first sang her debut single Shout in 1964, propelling her to worldwide stardom.
STV News“I can’t believe it,” she told STV News. “I left Glasgow at 15 because of music. Music opened up the whole world to me and it all started here. It’s the most wonderful full circle.
“I really have a lot of gratitude for what my life has been. This city is what made me.
“To have something like that honour me is divine.”
Born Marie McDonald McLaughlin Lawrie in Lennoxtown, Lulu grew up in the city’s East End and was just 15 when her cover of the Isley Brothers’ Shout shot to the UK top ten in 1964.
She landed a US number one spot with To Sir, with Love, the title song from the film she starred in alongside Sidney Poitier. She tied first place in the 1969 Eurovision Song Contest with Boom Bang-a-Bang.
She went onto record the 1974 James Bond theme The Man with the Golden Gun and during a career resurgence, topped the charts with Take That on Relight My Fire in 1993.
A further ten plaques are planned celebrating the city’s music history, with iconic venues such as the old Apollo also set to be honoured.
Lulu said she’s also delighted to see Lewis Capaldi celebrated at Saint Luke’s in Glasgow, where he had his big break in 2017.
STV News“You think of all the legendary artists over the years, then you look at someone like Lewis Capaldi today, and you think ‘yes son, bring it on!'” she said.
“He’s the greatest Scottish export we’ve got right now.”
Veteran music journalist and broadcaster Billy Sloan, who has been working on the trail, told STV News it’s high time Scotland’s music is recognised.
“When I go down to London, I go to Brook Street and there’s a beautiful big blue porcelain plaque up on the wall. It says ‘Jimi Hendrix lived here from 1968 to 1969’.
“About a five-minute walk around the corner on Heddon Street is the famous site where David Bowie posed for the cover of Ziggy Stardust.
“But when you come to Glasgow, there’s no evidence of that. It’s time to put that right. We should be beating our chests.”
The Glasgow Music Heritage Trail will be unveiled in 2027.
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