Iconic Manchester indie band James, is to be honoured by a PRS for Music Heritage Award on Tuesday 1st November in their home city. A special black plaque is to be erected in Manchester where the original group, Jim Glennie, Paul Gilbertson, Gavan Whelan and Tim Booth, played their first official Manchester gig as ‘James’, at Fac 51 Haçienda club on 17 November 1982.
Labelled the most famous club in the world by Newsweek magazine, The Haçienda provided a musical platform for some of the 20th Century’s most important and influential artists. Owned by Factory Records and New Order, the Hacienda is credited with being the pivotal club in acid house and the development of dance music in the UK in the late Eighties, but, prior to that, was also a well-respected live venue.
James’ first performance at the club in November 1982 was as the support act to Big Country, but they went on to play the club another four times up until 1985, including supporting The Smiths at their November 1983 concert, which many regard as of the finest Manchester gigs ever.
The plaque will be unveiled at 2pm on the 1st of November. Peter Hook of legendary band New Order will also attend the unveiling.
