Coseley Electric Light Orchestra star family in blue plaque bid
As the bass player and occasional singer with the Electric Light Orchestra, Kelly Groucutt's music was enjoyed by millions – and the journey to the top began in Coseley.
Specifically it was a family home in Gough Road where Kelly – born Michael William Groucutt – grew up.
Five years ago he died suddenly of a heart attack and now his family wants to commemorate his Black Country routes with an English Heritage blue plaque on the old family home.
"I knew Mick was very popular around here," admits brother Tony. "Even before ELO he had performed with a lot of different groups and bands in the area.
"What I hadn't fully appreciated was just how far his popularity had gone around the world. It was only when we lost him I started looking on the internet and I was seeing all this stuff from Japan, America, everywhere – all about our Mick.
"That is when we thought about the blue plaque. We have gone through English Heritage and the council, both of which are up for it. We got in touch with the people who live at the house where we all grew up. They were made up about it too."
The family had the right support but was now in need of £2,250 to erect the plaque.
In stepped website Kickstarter which allows member of the public to contribute to a project's funding and get varying rewards in return.
Donation options range from £10 up to £250 for which fans will have the opportunity to appear on a new album being produced from previously unheard music found on Kelly's computer. His eldest son, Chris, is piecing together the unfinished material.
He said: "We wouldn't have thought of the idea off our own backs. He is just our Dad at the end of the day. But there are such a lot of fans. I mean there probably wont be coaches turning up but it will be somewhere for people to go in the future and say 'this is where he came from'."
Born on September 8, 1945, Kelly was destined to be a musician from the start.
From the age of five, when the family went out to local pubs, including the Rollers Arms at the back of the house, people would shout to get Kelly up on the bar to sing.
Tony said: "They used to give him a vimto and a packet of crisps every time he did it. This was just after the war when nobody ever got a lot. It was great for us brothers and sisters as they would give us treats too.
"After he left school at 14 mom used to ask me 'what is he up to, what is he doing at night? He keeps disappearing.' I would find him singing in coffee bars in Bilston. He would sing every night. It was all he did."
Following stints with various local bands Kelly was spotted by ELO vocalist Jeff Lynne in 1974. With his addition ELO enjoyed their most productive and commercially lucrative period, with Kelly playing on all 27 of their Top 40 singles over the next decade.
Although the hits were mostly sung by Lynne, Kelly took the lead on several fan favourites including Nightrider, Sweet Is the Night and The Diary of Horace Wimp.
For Tony the unveiling of the plaque next year will be a special moment and he is hoping former bandmates will all be able to attend. "It is about keeping his name going," he said. "He did it. He won."
