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POWERHOUSE members, Kelvin Hudson, who jetted into Middleton from Canada, and Stuart Olsberg, who lives in Israel, acknowledge Peter Cowap's plaque.
Pete’s memory draws ‘em in from all over
Emma Mountford25/ 5/2006
MUSICIANS from all over the world gathered to remember one of Middleton's most famous guitar players at a Cheapside pub this weekend.
A memorial to honour the late Peter Cowap was erected in The Old Boar's Head two years ago and since then fellow musicians, friends and fans have met once a year for the famous 'Dusting of the Plaque' ceremony.
Bands and musicians descended on the Long Street pub on Saturday for the celebrations, with performances from Victor Brox, Pete McClaine, Dave Barrow and Terry Morton from 60s mod band The Perfect Circle, Red Hoffman and the session men and Roy Costigan and Cliff Woodworth on the mandolin and fiddle.
But it was 60s soul legends, Powerhouse, who stole the show with members jetting in from Israel, Canada and Spain to be part of the special day.
Local music historian, Danny Hardman, who helped to organise the event, said: "The day was absolutely unbelievable. The pub was packed out. There were people in all the rooms talking about music, showing old photographs and reminiscing.
"People who had not seen each other for 40 years got up on stage together and performed. It was a magical day with musicians gelling together and renewing their friendships."
Peter Cowap, who was born in Middleton, began his musical career in the late 50s, when at the tender age of 15, he toured with Marty Wilde and Joe Brown. He was a member of the popular Middleton band, the Tremors, and in 1963 he formed the Country Gents.
He worked in America for a few years with the Budgies, before becoming involved with Herman's Hermits and also wrote tracks for Wayne Fontana and 10cc, as well as being a musical arranger for Lulu.
Peter, whose parents owned a shop in Alkrington, was brought up in Rhodes and attended Moorclose Secondary School. He lived in New Moston for the latter part of his life and played occasional gigs at the Bricklayers, Railway and other Middleton pubs. He died in July 1997 aged 53.
After much campaigning a plaque was finally unveiled in the Old Boar's Head near to where he used to sit - now known as 'Cowap's Corner' - as a fitting tribute to his genius.
Danny added: "Powerhouse brought the place to a standstill. The quality of music just gets better every year and more and more people come each year.
"It is turning into a phenomenon."
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26/05/2006 at 20:07