To get you inspired as well we have drawn together a short bio of some of Wolverhampton's most famous bands, enjoy.
Slade
It's rare to have a conversation about Wolverhampton's music scene without lavishing praise on Slade. They have been wildly influential in the international music scene, inspiring bands such as Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, The Ramones, and The Sex Pistols, and led a following of glam rockers like Kiss, Def Leppard and Twisted Sister. Their popularity began to wane around 1975 when they moved to America but were unexpectedly revived in 1980 when they were put on as last-minute replacements for Ozzy Osbourne at Reading Festival. The band have said that this was a highlight of their career, and they have been going strong ever since. Slade has had a slew of popular documentaries made about them, and though they are not as popular as they once were, they continue to be an icon of the Wolverhampton music scene.
Cornershop
Perhaps most widely known for their 1998 single 'Brimful of Asha', Cornershop is one of Wolverhampton's biggest international stars. They got their name from the stereotype of British Indians often running corner shops, and this Indian background also greatly influences their musical style, resulting in a unique mix of Indian music, Britpop and electronic dance music. They rose to fame in 1997 with the album When I Was Born for the 7th Time, which featured a Yoko Ono and Paul McCartney-approved cover of 'Norwegian Wood' and won many international awards and appears on many critics' top album lists, such as being named as one of the essential recordings of the 1990s by Rolling Stone. Following their tradition of ironically embracing their Indian stereotypes (their debut EP was self-described as "curry-coloured"), their eighth studio album Urban Turban was released in March 2011 to critical acclaim. In 2011 they were also awarded a prize for Commitment to Scene In the UK Asian Music Awards.
Babylon Zoo
Formed in 1992, Babylon Zoo represents the far outside of Wolverhampton's musical prodigies, Their single 'Spaceman' went straight to #1 on the UK charts after it was aired on Levi's jeans advert. Though the band waned in national success over the years, culminating in their disbanding in 2000, throughout their time together they were a true staple of the Wolverhampton music scene, and have really left their alternative mark on the local scene.
Beverley Knight
Taking her inspiration from massive soul stars Aretha Franklin and Sam Cooke, Beverley Knight MBE has been met with critical acclaim in all of her ventures, perhaps most notably singing to great praise at the 2012 Paralympics Opening Ceremony. She's been active since 1994 and is still going strong today. Her most recent album Soul UK, her seventh studio album in which she covers some of her favourite songs, was released in 2011 to much praise. Beverley does a lot of work for charity - she's an ambassador for Christian Aid and is an active campaigner for the Stop AIDS Campaign, The Terrence Higgins Trust and has performed at UK Black Pride events. Her internationally renowned soulful vocals and adept piano combined with her philanthropic efforts make her a true role model for those in Wolverhampton's music scene.
Goldie
A true artist, Goldie is well-known for his acting and graffiti, as well as his skills in DJing and his innovations in the genres of jungle and drum and bass. In fact, it'd probably be easier to talk about what he hasn't done. Apart from his music, he's been in Eastenders, a James Bond film and starred in his own series with David Bowie. He likes to appear on reality television shows like Big Brother, where he was evicted in the first week, and Strictly Come Dancing, in which he made it to week two before being eliminated. He's well-known in graffiti circles for being involved in the UK's largest graffiti battle, against Robert "3D" Del Naja, who went on to form the prominent electronic act Massive Attack. Goldie's endless energy and enthusiasm for whatever task he puts himself to should be an inspiration to all, and whatever your opinions on him, graffiti or his music, he is an undoubtedly a legend of the Wolverhampton urban scene.
