A LARGE mural celebrating the life and legacy of musician Pete Shelley has been completed in Leigh town centre.
Ahead of the artwork's grand unveiling on Sunday, July 10, the eagerly anticipated mural has now taken shape on the back of a building facing Leigh Town Hall and the Turnpike Centre.
Born and bred in Leigh, Pete - whose real name is Peter McNeish - went on to become one of the most influential musicians and songwriters of his generation.
Forming Buzzcocks with Howard Devoto after they met at Bolton Institute of Technology in 1975, Pete had great success with the band and their most famous song 'Ever Fallen In Love', which peaked at number 12 in the UK charts in 1978.
Following a successful solo career and subsequent reformation of Buzzcocks, Pete died of a suspected heart attack in Estonia in 2018, aged 63, where he had moved with his second wife Greta.
Paying homage to Pete, the mural has been accomplished after three years of fundraising coordinated by The Pete Shelley Memorial Campaign and a partnership with Wigan Council.
Following a succesful campaign, the artwork was brought to life in collaboration with graphic art pioneer (and Pete’s close friend) Malcolm Garrett MBE and highly acclaimed street artist Akse P19.
Referencing the mural, Malcolm Garrett posted on his Instagram page: "Thanks to Paul [Lally] and every supporter at the Pete Shelley Memorial Campaign for making this happen, [the] 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.
"[I'm] so proud to be involved in this project, Pete truly deserves this celebration."
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".
The artwork will be unveiled to the public at 12pm on Sunday, July 10, with speeches led by Malcolm Garrett and special guests in front of the mural.
A free show will then take place upstairs in The Turnpike Centre led by Buzzcocks tribute band BUZZKOCKS, and Leigh punk luminaries STATIC LINE, from 1pm.
To find out more about the story of the Pete Shelley Memorial Campaign, visit this link.
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