Plans for rock and roll hall of fame for Scotland to transform CCA building

The project, which would turn the empty building once occupied by the defunct Centre for Contemporary Arts (CCA) into the hall of fame, describe the proposed venue as an “ambitious new cultural destination” celebrating the country’s “extraordinary contribution” to global music.

Ure, whose career spans Ultravox, Band Aid and Live Aid, has agreed to become the inaugural patron of ScotsRock, the organisation behind the hall of fame.

Ure said: “This has never been done, and it should have been done. In hindsight, it’s a major mistake. For a small country we punch way above our weight when it comes to global musicians. If you go to Cleveland, their Hall of Fame is very American, so I ask myself, why are we not doing the same in Scotland? We should be and I’m very proud to be part of it.”

ScotsRock is to submit a proposal and formal bid to locate the venue and establish its permanent home within the former CCA building on Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow. The CCA fell into the hands of liquidators in February, with the building immediately shut down and all staff laid off.

It said plans to use the CCA building would preserve its long-standing cultural purpose while introducing a sustainable operating model capable of attracting visitors from across Scotland and overseas - as well as utilising the building with no ongoing reliance on public funding. The CCA building is owned by Creative Scotland.

ScotRock has already received a seed donation from Scottish social entrepreneurs and lifelong music supporters Bill and Fiona Gordon.

Their initial financial commitment will support the creation of a permanent exhibition and visitor experience and live performance venue, as well as a creative industries hub supporting emerging music and creative businesses, archive and heritage facilities and a year-round programme of permanent and temporary exhibitions, concerts, talks and special events celebrating both Scotland’s rock music legacy and its current artists. It also plans to hold educational and outreach programmes at the centre.

Mr Gordon said: “Scotland has given the world some of the most iconic voices in rock music. From the tenements of Glasgow to stages in Tokyo, New York, Sydney and beyond, Scottish artists have earned their place in history. It’s time we built something here at home that reflects that legacy and passes it on to future generations.”

ScotsRock is the brainchild of music journalist and broadcaster Billy Sloan and music industry executive Ronnie Gurr as senior curators, alongside former television and radio producer Nick Low as project manager and filmmaker Craig Martin as visuals creator.

Mr Sloan said: “Music is something Scotland excels at internationally. Bands like Simple Minds, Travis, Texas and Deacon Blue are recognised around the world. To create a permanent home in Glasgow where people can experience that story and celebrate our incredible musical heritage is something I’m immensely proud to be involved in.”

Mr Gurr said: “Scotland’s rock music heritage is one of our greatest cultural assets. ScotsRock represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to preserve that legacy while creating a major new visitor destination that will support tourism, education, the creative industries and the next generation of Scottish musicians.”

Creative Scotland has been contacted for comment.