Mural to celebrate legacy of Pete Shelley to be unveiled

The mural will hold prominence in the heart of Pete’s hometown, neighbouring the new state-of-the-art archive facilities at Leigh Town Hall and the historic Turnpike Centre.

Pete Shelley is one of the most important and influential musicians the UK has ever produced, best known for his work with punk iconoclasts Buzzcocks, Pete wrote a stream of classics in the late 1970s, including their biggest hit "Ever Fallen in Love (With Someone You Shouldn't've)", which reached number 12 in the UK chart in 1978.

Pete also pursued a successful solo career in the 1980s. His song "Homosapien" charted in the US in 1981.

The mural has been accomplished by over three years of fundraising coordinated by The Pete Shelley Memorial Campaign.

Paul Lally of the campaign said, “The mural is a magnificent achievement made possible by the love and generosity of Pete’s fans, friends, and family”.

The campaign has also benefited from a partnership with Wigan Council who helped to arrange a place for the mural.

This followed on from the Group with Council’s support in honouring Pete with a blue plaque in December 2020 at the house where he grew up in Landside, Leigh.

The mural has been created by a collaboration between graphic art pioneer (and Pete’s close friend) Malcolm Garrett MBE, and the highly acclaimed street artist Akse P19.

Akse P19 has produced some of the best loved murals in the country, including tributes to Ian Curtis and Marcus Rashford.

A blue plaque memorial to Pete Shelley unveiled at landside, Pennington in 2020

Akse P19 posted on his Instagram page: "I'm so excited to start this mural, I'm grateful for the opportunity and it’s been such a pleasure working with Malcolm Garrett on this project ".

Malcom Garrett’s mural design combines a seminal image of Pete from the 1970s and graphic art taken from Buzzcocks most successful song Ever Fallen in Love (With Someone You Shouldn’t’ve).

Malcolm Garrett posted on his Instagram page: "Thanks to Paul and Paul and every Supporter at the Pete Shelley Memorial Campaign for making this happen, incredible support from Neil at Wigan Council, and of course the amazing Akse P19 for painting what he tells me will be his largest wall to date, so proud to be involved in this project, Pete truly deserves this celebration "

Howard Lycett, and Rebecca Hamilton, cousins of Pete Shelley and both still living locally to Leigh said: "As a family we are delighted to have Pete back in his hometown and looking as vibrant as he ever was.

"Pete was always incredibly proud of his northern roots, and we hope that the mural will help Pete’s legacy live on and inspire more young artists and musicians to break down barriers and follow their dreams.

"We’d like to say an enormous thank you to all Pete’s friends and fans who have made this possible - with particular thanks to Paul Lally and Paul Banks who have worked tirelessly to make this vision a reality".

The unveiling celebrations will start at noon on Sunday, July 10, with speeches led by Malcolm Garrett and special guests in front of the mural.

Then from 1pm a FREE post-unveiling show will take place upstairs in The Turnpike Centre led by the superb Buzzcocks tribute band BUZZKOCKS, and Leigh punk luminaries STATIC LINE.

You can learn more about the story of Pete Shelley Memorial Campaign here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/peteshelleymemorial/