The life and legacy of Denise Johnson, a renowned vocalist who graced the stages of Primal Scream and New Order, has been commemorated with a blue plaque outside her former home in south Manchester. Johnson, who also collaborated with celebrated artists like Pet Shop Boys, Paul Weller, and Ian Brown, was born and raised in Hulme before settling in Whalley Range in the early 1980s.
The 56-year-old singer, hailed as a "pioneer of the Manchester music scene," tragically passed away in 2020, leaving behind a legacy of powerful vocals and a significant impact on the city's musical landscape.
Karen Gabay, a social historian and broadcaster who spearheaded the campaign for the plaque, remarked on the moving sight of so many people gathering to witness the installation in memory of this "incredible" woman.
"The way that Manchester music is sold to the world is very much in the spirit of Oasis, the Smiths, and New Order," Ms Gabay observed. "But thereâs so much more to that. We should know her name and we should know other peopleâs names, and we just need to really correct the narrative around Manchester music history."
The plaque is a testament to the ongoing efforts by Ms Gabay and the Nubian Jak Community Trust to shed light on the often overlooked contributions of Manchester's Black musicians. A diverse gathering of figures from across the city's arts and music scene attended the unveiling ceremony, held outside Johnson's childhood home on Strathmore Avenue.
Johnson's captivating voice was most recognisable for her work with Primal Scream, where she provided backing vocals for their seminal 1991 album, Screamadelica. She was poised to release her debut solo album, *Where Does It Go*, an homage to her beloved Manchester, shortly before her untimely passing in 2020.
Singer Rowetta, known for her work with the Happy Mondays, was present at the ceremony, calling it "really beautiful" to see her friend honoured in such a way. Rowetta, who moved to Manchester in 1987, recalled sharing the stage with Johnson and their shared "funny sense of humour" and remarkable vocal synergy.
"I wish while she was alive she would have known how much she was respected and loved," Rowetta reflected. "She should have been signed by everybody."
A spokesperson for the Nubian Jak Community Trust highlighted the shockingly low number of blue plaques in Manchester commemorating the achievements of Black and global majority musicians. The trust is also spearheading the installation of plaques in honour of Diane Charlemagne, a Manchester vocalist and songwriter, and Sister Rosetta Tharpe, the African American singer who performed in the city in 1964.
The unveiling of this plaque serves as a powerful reminder of Denise Johnson's enduring legacy, and the importance of acknowledging the contributions of all musicians who have shaped Manchester's vibrant music scene. It is a testament to the city's commitment to celebrating its diverse musical heritage and ensuring that the voices of all its talented artists are heard.
