‘Hit Factory’ gets Blue Plaque for Stock Aitken Waterman

Mike Stock, Matt Aitken, and Pete Waterman celebrated in blue…

Legendary music producer and songwriting trio Stock Aitken Waterman have received from the Southwark Heritage Association a Blue Plaque celebrating their immense contribution to UK music, installed at their former music studios in Borough near London Bridge, London.

All three of the pop pioneers are attending the unveiling on the afternoon of Wednesday 22nd January at Vine Yard Studios where they made the majority of their incredible hit records.

Mike Stock, Matt Aitken and Pete Waterman statement:

‘We’re naturally very pleased to have been awarded a Heritage Blue plaque, and grateful to Southwark Heritage Association and Southwark Council for this honour. But we also feel this is as much for the fans who voted for us and for all those who have stuck with us over the years.’

The unveiling comes just ahead of the 40th anniversary of the powerhouse songwriting and production team’s first No.1 hit, ‘You Spin Me Round (Like A Record)’ by Dead or Alive, which hit the top spot in March 1985.

With an unparalleled legacy, they wrote and produced chart-topping hits for a diverse array of artists, helping shape the sound of the era. Alongside Kylie Minogue, Rick Astley and Bananarama, SAW worked with top acts such as Sir Cliff Richard, Jason Donovan, Donna Summer, Sonia, Mel & Kim, Dead or Alive, Samantha Fox, Sinitta, Big Fun, Hazell Dean, Princess, Brother Beyond and many others.

Stock Aitken Waterman produced records that raised significant funds for charities: Ferry Aid (Zeebrugge Ferry Disaster), Help A London Child, The Young Variety Club of Great Britain, Comic Relief, Mersey Aid (Hillsborough Disaster) featuring Sir Paul McCartney, Band Aid and Childline, working with numerous artists.

Incredibly, they achieved 13 UK No. 1 singles in just five years and are recognised in the Guinness Book of World Records as the most successful songwriters and producers of all time.