A mural honouring the man who brought some of the biggest names in rock and folk music to Sunderland has been unveiled on the city’s Music Wall of Fame.
Promoter Geoff Docherty, who died in March aged 86, was celebrated outside The Fire Station on Thursday evening, ahead of a sold-out memorial show held in his honour.
The mural was created through a partnership between illustrator Kathryn Robertson, The Fire Station and Sunderland Music City.
Over a career spanning decades, Geoff played a significant role in Sunderland’s live music scene, promoting concerts by Led Zeppelin, The Who, David Bowie, Pink Floyd, Tyrannosaurus Rex, Free and Family.
His shows at venues including The Bay, Locarno, Mayfair and the Mecca helped establish Sunderland as an important stop on the UK touring circuit and introduced a generation of local music fans to artists who would go on to become some of the biggest names of their era.
The mural was unveiled by Val Brown (née Clark), Norma McAlpine (née Clark) and Hilary Stevens (née Watson), three of the women Geoff immortalised as the “four freakers” in his memoir, A Promoter’s Tale.
The group were regulars at Geoff’s concerts but also played their own part in Sunderland’s musical story, sharing discoveries and recommending artists for him to book.
Among them was Quintessence, who subsequently played in Sunderland on their recommendation. Geoff also recalled how the women once encountered Pink Floyd in a van outside The Bay and were invited to listen to unreleased music following a performance.
Speaking at the unveiling, Val said: “I’m honoured to have been asked to say a few words as we add Geoff Docherty, who all of us remember so fondly, to Sunderland’s Music Wall of Fame.
“Geoff deserves to be remembered and honoured for bringing live music to our city so that a whole generation came to love live music. It was music written and performed with passion by many of the most creative musicians of their time.”
Procol Harum guitarist Mick Grabham also paid tribute, saying: “A richly deserved commemoration. Geoff’s enthusiasm and tenacity were a winning combination, and I’ll be eternally grateful for the significant part Geoff played in the early formative years of my playing career.”
Geoff joins a growing roll call of Sunderland musicians and music figures recognised on the city’s Music Wall of Fame including Dave Stewart, Kenickie, Field Music and Ruth-Ann Boyle.
My teenage years at the Bay Hotel in Seaburn, great bands, Country Joe, Steppenwolf, Family and the Pretty Things, thanks for the memories