Legendary pop producers honoured with blue plaque

Legendary pop producers Stock, Aitken and Waterman have been honoured for their contribution to UK music with a Southwark heritage blue plaque.

The trio – Mike Stock, Matt Aitken and Pete Waterman – were behind some of the biggest names of the 1980s and 1990s, having developed 13 number one hits.

The Southwark Heritage Association plaque was installed at their former studios, Vine Yard Studios – also known as The Hit Factory – in Borough on Wednesday.

Attending the unveiling, the three of the pop pioneers said: “We’re naturally very pleased to have been awarded a Heritage Blue plaque, and grateful to Southwark Heritage Association and Southwark council for this honour.

“But we also feel this is as much for the fans who voted for us and for all those who have stuck with us over the years.”

The unveiling came ahead of the 40th anniversary of the production team’s first No.1 hit, ‘You Spin Me Round (Like A Record)’ by Dead or Alive, which reached the top spot in March 1985.

Throughout their careers, the team wrote and produced chart-topping hits for the likes of Kylie Minogue, Rick Astley, Bananarama, Sir Cliff Richard, Jason Donovan and Donna Summer.

The Southwark plaque scheme takes nominations from the public which are put to a vote.

Pictured top; From left, Mike Stock, Matt Aiken and Pete Waterman during the unveiling of the blue plaque in their honour at Vine Yard Studio (Picture:  PA Images/Alamy Stock Photo)