A petition has been handed over to Westside BID asking for famous Birmingham singer-songwriter Steve Gibbons to be awarded with one of Broad Street’s Walk of Stars.
More than 1,200 signatures have been collected by a local campaigner known as Jim the Hat, along with his friends, and they hope to soon reach their goal of 1,500.
They have now presented the petition to Mike Olley, Westside BID’s general manager, as part of their campaign for the Star award to be made.
Steve Gibbons was born and raised in Moseley and started his professional life as a plumber’s apprentice, but he was a big Elvis Presley fan and joined a band called The Dominettes in 1958.
Their first performance was at The California pub near Weoley Castle, with other regular venues including the Grotto Club on Bromsgrove Street, The Sicilia Coffee Bar in Edgbaston and the Firebird Jazz Club on Carrs Lane.
By 1963, The Dominettes were renamed The Uglys, whose hits included Wake Up My Mind, It’s Alright, and Something.
Gibbons then teamed up with guitarist Trevor Burton from The Move in 1969 to form a new group called Balls, before he left to join The Idle Race which quickly evolved into the Steve Gibbons Band, regularly touring with The Who.
As well as his music career, Gibbons – now aged 80 – also devoted time and energy fundraising for the Birmingham Children’s Hospital and other charities.
A statement on the petition from Gibbons’ fans Jimmy the Hat, Izzy Knowles and Radley Russell says: “There’s clearly a lot of support for Steve Gibbons to be awarded a Star and we are hopeful of a positive decision in the very near future.”
Izzy Knowles added: “Steve Gibbons has never forgotten his Birmingham roots. As well as a huge contribution to the world music scene he has devoted years of fundraising for local causes such as Birmingham Children’s Hospital.
“What better way can there be to celebrate the re-opening of our iconic Walk of Stars than to recognise the life and works of a legendary Brummie in his 80th year?”
And Radley Russell said: “Steve Gibbons hugely deserves this recognition as he has contributed to the music industry worldwide. It’ll be so amazing for our city of Birmingham to give him that big recognition and for us fans to celebrate this together.”
Mike Olley said: “The Broad Street Walk of Stars in Westside is a real tourist attraction and we are thrilled people are keen to get involved and nominate people within their community to receive this honorary recognition.
“The Stars are currently in a safe storage due to the Midland Metro development however we are keen to re-lay them when its safe and appropriate to do so. I’ll now give this petition to the Walk of Stars committee to consider at their next meeting.” To watch the petition being handed over and to sign the petition visit: Grant Steve Gibbons a Star
By Luisa Huggins
Well deserved, knowing Steve n family for more than 40 years