'What a terrific honour...' Stock Aitken Waterman receive Blue Plaque recognising their contribution to British music
Stock Aitken Waterman received a Blue Plaque commemoration for their achievements in music in London on Wednesday afternoon (22.01.25) and hailed the accolade as a “terrific honour”.
Mike Stock, Matt Aitken and Pete Waterman reunited to receive the tribute from the Southwark Heritage Association for their immense contribution to British music.
The Blue Plaque is installed at Vine Yard Studios - their former music studios where they made the majority of their incredible hit records - in Borough near London Bridge.
Dozens of fans were in attendance to witness the special ceremony.
Speaking prior to the unveiling, Aitken told the crowd: “What a terrific honour it is, and thank you all for coming.
“It was a very special place for us.
“I think it’s because it’s hidden from view – but especially because it had thick walls, so the sound wouldn’t get out and disturb the neighbours!”
Their recognition comes as they won the Southwark Blue Plaque competition after 1,257 people voted for the trio of producers.
Status Quo frontman Francis Rossi came in second with 450 votes, followed by Ensign's John Davis with 108.
Stock said: “I would like to say thank you to Southwark Borough Council for all the work they’ve done in getting this organised.
“And also a big thank you to Paul Smith.
“He got this started over three years ago, Tony King, they all put the time and effort for this to happen, and for our delight and thanks for doing it. I’m really happy.”
The pop pioneers – who launched the music careers of a host of stars, including Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan and Rick Astley – achieved 13 UK number one singles.
They are recognised in the Guinness Book of World Records as the most successful songwriters and producers of all time.
Speaking about how great the local community was to them during the recordings of the charity singles Ferry Aid, for the Zeebrugge Disaster in 1987, and Band Aid II, to raise money for famine relief efforts in Ethiopia in 1989, Waterman said: “The local community was great to us, especially when we did Band Aid II and Ferry Aid.
“The kids would turn up, and some of them ended up working for us. It was an amazing community.
“The music industry has changed – but thank you for turning up.”
The unveiling comes just ahead of the 40th anniversary of the songwriting and production team’s first number one hit ‘You Spin Me Round (Like A Record)’ by Dead or Alive, which hit the top spot in the UK Singles Chart in March 1985.
Alongside Kylie, Jason and Rick, Stock Aitken Waterman also created hit records for artists such as Bananarama, Sir Cliff Richard, Princess, Donna Summer, Sonia, Mel and Kim, Samantha Fox, Sinitta, Big Fun, Hazell Dean, Brother Beyond and many more.
Mike Stock, Matt Aitken and Pete Waterman reunited to receive the tribute from the Southwark Heritage Association for their immense contribution to British music.
The Blue Plaque is installed at Vine Yard Studios - their former music studios where they made the majority of their incredible hit records - in Borough near London Bridge.
Dozens of fans were in attendance to witness the special ceremony.
Speaking prior to the unveiling, Aitken told the crowd: “What a terrific honour it is, and thank you all for coming.
“It was a very special place for us.
“I think it’s because it’s hidden from view – but especially because it had thick walls, so the sound wouldn’t get out and disturb the neighbours!”
Their recognition comes as they won the Southwark Blue Plaque competition after 1,257 people voted for the trio of producers.
Status Quo frontman Francis Rossi came in second with 450 votes, followed by Ensign's John Davis with 108.
Stock said: “I would like to say thank you to Southwark Borough Council for all the work they’ve done in getting this organised.
“And also a big thank you to Paul Smith.
“He got this started over three years ago, Tony King, they all put the time and effort for this to happen, and for our delight and thanks for doing it. I’m really happy.”
The pop pioneers – who launched the music careers of a host of stars, including Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan and Rick Astley – achieved 13 UK number one singles.
They are recognised in the Guinness Book of World Records as the most successful songwriters and producers of all time.
Speaking about how great the local community was to them during the recordings of the charity singles Ferry Aid, for the Zeebrugge Disaster in 1987, and Band Aid II, to raise money for famine relief efforts in Ethiopia in 1989, Waterman said: “The local community was great to us, especially when we did Band Aid II and Ferry Aid.
“The kids would turn up, and some of them ended up working for us. It was an amazing community.
“The music industry has changed – but thank you for turning up.”
The unveiling comes just ahead of the 40th anniversary of the songwriting and production team’s first number one hit ‘You Spin Me Round (Like A Record)’ by Dead or Alive, which hit the top spot in the UK Singles Chart in March 1985.
Alongside Kylie, Jason and Rick, Stock Aitken Waterman also created hit records for artists such as Bananarama, Sir Cliff Richard, Princess, Donna Summer, Sonia, Mel and Kim, Samantha Fox, Sinitta, Big Fun, Hazell Dean, Brother Beyond and many more.
