Suggs with Lee Bennett on the day a tribute stone to Madness was laid in Camden High Street last year

WHEN the head of Camden Town’s Music Walk of Fame project was drawing up a shortlist of names that must be included, Lee Bennett hardly needed to write Madness down.

“It was a no-brainer,” says Mr Bennett, who is a founder of the scheme which has seen a series of interactive paving stone plaques dedicated to people in the music industry who have shared their talent with the world.

The paving stones – inspired by Hollywood Boulevard – have now been laid for Madness, The Who, Amy Winehouse and Soul II Soul, and more were planned before the pandemic struck. The project returns in September with a week of unveilings. Mr Bennett is keeping the names of those who will be honoured under wraps for now.

He said: “The Walk of Fame just had to mark the impact of the Nutty Boys. Not only are Madness linked so closely with Camden, they are just completely iconic British artists. They were top of the list, regardless of their affiliation with our area.

“They really are one of the best British bands of all time. They are much loved to this day, their fans are very loyal and, above all, they are lovely people.”

Mr Bennett added that he had been particularly excited to welcome them, last March, to unveil their stone. “On a selfish level, I grew up with their music – and it represents a really good period for a lot of people,” he said.

“It makes you recall the social climate of Two Tone, and what it stood for – multicultural Britain at ease with itself, something so important to consider today.”

Mr Bennett and the Walk of Fame team have also been involved in producing a new film, Creation Stories, about the life of music impresario Alan McGee.

Written by Irvine Welsh and co-produced with Danny Boyle, it is set partly in Camden and tells the story of the record boss who sold Camden Town’s Britpop scene around the world. It is another nod to the role the area has played in creating the soundtrack to London life.

As well as a raft of new stones, including a special Christmas event, the Walk of Fame team are also planning an “Artist of The Year” poll.

Mr Bennett said: “We’re back in September, and are running an online awards to name the Walk of Fame Artist of the Year.”