Slade next in line for Walk of Fame

May 31 2007 By Lee Kenny, Birmingham Mail

SEVENTIES super group Slade could be the next Midlanders to be immortalised after a campaign was launched to give them star status on Birmingham's Walk of Fame.

Fans are hoping the Black Country Glam-Rockers will follow in the footsteps of Aston's Ozzy Osborne when he becomes the first Broad Street star in July.

The Black Sabbath singer will be given Hollywood-style recognition in the scheme launched to honour the achievements of local celebrities.

Organisers are now looking to induct another local star and are asking Brummies to vote for who they want to join Ozzy on the Birmingham Walk of Stars.

Since the announcement, a website dedicated to the Walk of Stars initiative has been inundated with thousands of hits from people voting for which Midland celebrities they would like to also see honoured.

Broad Street business manager Steve Hewlettckd said: "We've now had more than 1,500 nominations on the site with over 60 star names - the public are clearly demonstrating they want to see the Walk of Stars on Broad Street.

"We will be announcing some more nominees soon, so we'd like people to get on the site and keep voting."

He said the next star to feature on the Walk of Stars will be announced soon after Ozzy's induction on July 6.

Celebs being considered include Cat Deeley, Jasper Carrot and Nigel Mansell.

But with 80s New Romantic group Duran Duran leading the online poll, Kingstanding's Gary Jordan, organiser of the annual Sladefest event, is calling on rock fans to make some Noize and vote for Slade.

He said that despite having six number one hits and influencing bands from Kiss to Oasis, Slade never received the recognition they deserved.

"Ozzy Osborne became the first but as we all know Slade are the most successful chart band to come out of the West Midlands and have never been properly recognised for their outstanding contribution to British music," he said.

A spokesman for the scheme said although the idea was to honour local celebrities, people from outside of the area would also be considered if they had a Midland connection.

For more information visit www.walkofstars.co.uk