New David Bowie plaque unveiled at Stockport railway station
A new plaque celebrating an unusual night in Stockport's history has been unveiled at the central railway station.
The plaque commemorates the night David Bowie had to sleep overnight at Stockport station, on a balmy Spring evening on 27 April 1970.
The music legend had been meaning to catch the last train to London after his sold-out acoustic gig at the Poco A Poco on Manchester Road, but he was too late.
With no other alternative, Bowie was forced to hunker down with his music gear and sleep at the station.
The plaque was unveiled on Sunday 27 April, 55 years to the day since Bowie's twilit station sleep.
It was brought about by Stockport Music Story - a local group dedicated to documenting Stockport's musical heritage - in collaboration with Avanti West Coast, the rail operator which manages Stockport station.
Also present at the ceremony were some of the former students who'd booked the Bowie gig in the first place - they shared their stories on how they organised the show, and their memories of that night.
It's the latest plaque in a sequence of 12 others across Stockport - all designed to showcase Stockport's rich past and to draw in more tourists.
Lisa Magee, Avanti West Coast Station Manager at Stockport, said: "Stockport has a great musical legacy, and we're pleased to have played a part in recognising another of the town's cultural landmarks. The story of David Bowie sleeping at Stockport station is the stuff of legend and quite rightly should be marked with a commemorative plaque.
"It's been fascinating working with The Stockport Music Story on this piece of history involving a global icon and we're delighted Stockport station is commemorating this unique event that happened 55 years ago. We're sure it will be of interest to many fans – especially hose visiting the area by rail – for decades to come."
John Barratt from The Stockport Music Story, said: "Being a lifelong David Bowie fan, this plaque is particularly special to me and unearthing the story about the Stockport teenagers who booked him for the gig is what The Stockport Music Story is all about.
"Bowie is one of a number of iconic music legends who performed in Stockport during the 1960s and '70s including The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix and Elton John.
"I hope this will encourage people to travel to Stockport by train to discover our rich musical heritage."
You can see the plaque yourself just outside the station's main town centre entrance.
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