Janis Joplin and The Kinks among stars to be honoured on Music Walk of Fame

Janis Joplin, The Kinks, UB40 and Buzzcocks are among those to be honoured on the Music Walk of Fame in London next month.

Eleven artists will have a stone laid on the Camden-based trail in celebration of their contribution to the world of music from September 4 to 9.

Hip-hop group The Sugarhill Gang, Electric Avenue singer Eddy Grant, folk singer Billy Bragg, R&B group Shalamar, arts promoter Harvey Goldsmith, DJ Paul ‘Trouble’ Anderson and founder of Kiss FM Gordon Mac will also be commemorated.

Eddy Grant is among those to be honoured on the Music Walk of Fame (Ian West/PA)PA Archive/PA Images - Ian West

Singer-songwriter Joplin, who was one of the most prominent performers of the 1960s, will be the first American artist to be featured on the Music Walk of Fame.

The artist rose to fame with tracks including Piece Of My Heart and Me And Bobby McGee before dying aged 27 in 1970.

Her sister Laura and brother Michael said: “It is a really special moment to see our sister being recognised by the Music Walk of Fame.

“Janis’s music resonated with a generation hungry for authenticity. Her legacy is a reminder that vulnerability can be a source of strength, and her voice continues to inspire countless others to embrace their true selves.

“At moments like this, it’s a pleasure to see her legacy being honoured in this way.”

The new Music Walk of Fame inductees include the Buzzcocks (Ian West/PA)PA Archive/PA Images - Ian West

Guyana-born Grant, who grew up in Camden, said it will be “great” to be honoured in the street where he “walked, rode and drove from childhood to manhood”.

He added: “It is especially satisfying to be receiving this honour in 2023, the year of my 75th birthday and the 40th anniversary of my ground-breaking album Killer On The Rampage.

“My grandmother, who gave me all my sensibilities after coming out of the womb, always told me that when someone gives you something and it’s something good, the most important thing to say is thank you.”

Launched in 2019, the Music Walk Of Fame features award stones in the Camden square mile which come to life with augmented reality technology.

The band Madness have previously been honoured on the Music Walk of Fame in Camden (Aaron Chown/PA)PA Archive/PA Images - Aaron Chown

The latest batch of stars will join previous inductees David Bowie, Amy Winehouse, The Who, Madness and Soul II Soul.

The inductions will be celebrated with a red carpet ceremony which allows artists, friends, family and fans to come together to honour the artists.

Lee Bennett, founder of the Music Walk of Fame, said: “I’m very excited that once again we’ll be progressing the project to a new level of integration and fan engagement by incorporating what will become an annual borough-wide festival utilising all the venues and open spaces that the London borough of Camden has to offer.”

The final day of the stone unveiling on September 9 will also launch a new free event – Camden Music Festival – which will see parts of Camden High Street play host to an entire day of live entertainment and music.

The main stage on Hawley Crescent, supported by Music Venue Trust, will welcome some of the new Music Walk of Fame inductees including the Buzzcocks, Billy Bragg and Shalamar.

They will be joined by Soul II Soul member Jazzie B, DJ Rusty Egan and other special guests.

Camden High Street will also host a sound system featuring DJs throughout the day.

The Music Walk of Fame will be held from September 4 to 9 in Camden, with the first Camden Music Festival to take place on the final day.