7:40AM, Mon Jul 23, 2012

Music And Memories: Permanent Tribute To Lindisfarne's Alan Hull

By India Adams Location: Newcastle

Video: Lindisfarne’s Alan Hull honoured with memorial plaque

A memorial plaque in honour of the founder member of the group Lindisfarne has been unveiled at Newcastle City Hall.

The late Alan Hull, who wrote the likes of Geordie anthem Fog On The Tyne and Run For Home, performed at the venue on more than 130 occasions.

The plaque, which takes pride of place outside the front entrance of the building, commemorates the special connection between Alan and Newcastle City Hall.

The plaque was unveiled by the Lord Mayor of Newcastle in the presence of the late musician’s family, friends and colleagues.

Ray Jackson, founder member of Lindisfarne, said: "Alan was not just any old pop music writer, he recorded the zeitgeist of the working people of Newcastle, pointing out injustices suffered by ordinary people, exposing those who were to blame.

“He was a champion of the underdog and latterly became interested in politics to fight for rights at a local level.

“Alan in his own words, from the song, I Am and So Are You, wrote: 'I am a singer of songs, a writer of wrongs', which is the phrase that sums him up perfectly."

Chi Onwurah, MP for Newcastle Central, said: “Alan had and has many fans in the North East and across the world.

“He could express thoughts and feelings so beautifully, from the return of he native in Run for Home to the haunting Lady Eleanor and of course the Fog on the Tyne, someone whose words became the anthem for a region.

“As well as being a political activist, Alan was a social activist.

“Alan and Lindisfarne made sure free tickets to their shows were set aside for the unemployed who could not otherwise afford to attend, as well as a free annual Christmas show at the City Hall for the disadvantaged, sick and disabled and underprivileged children.”

“But keeping in touch with your roots while speaking up for all of Newcastle and all of the North East is a real example for me personally and I hope for others. Because after all, if we don’t honour our heroes how do we hope to inspire the next generation?”