Celebrities back campaign for tribute to Lindisfarne legend Alan Hull

Nov 20 2011 by Coreena Ford, Sunday Sun

CELEBRITIES have rallied behind a call to create a permanent memorial to one of the North’s best-loved songwriters.

Plans to commemorate Lindisfarne singer-songwriter Alan Hull emerged earlier this week, 16 years after he died, with close friend Barry McKay – manager of the iconic band – revealing how their campaign was gaining momentum.

A champion of all things North East, Alan wrote Fog on the Tyne and was famed for his songs which perfectly captured the struggles of ordinary folk.

Newcastle City Council bosses are considering a permanent tribute to Alan, ahead of the 40th anniversary of the release of the Fog on the Tyne album.

Barry McKay, 57, first raised the possibility of honouring his friend and colleague five years ago, and is now calling for a statue, a Newcastle street or an area close to the City Hall to be renamed.

Other stars, including Jimmy Nail and Tim Healy, have joined his call.

Jimmy said: “Alan Hull was one of the most important creative artists to come out of Newcastle, not just in the latter half of the 20th Century, the period when he so potently plied his musical and lyrical trade, but at any time.

“As a Novocastrian he was an inspiration to me.

“I regard it as lamentable that his contribution to local, national and international culture has up until now not been appropriately, as in officially, commemorated.