Tributes pour in for Rock City co-founder Sammy Jackson

Sammy Jackson, the co-founder of iconic Nottingham music venue Rock City, which has attracted the likes of David Bowie, Nirvana and U2, has died aged 74.

The Talbot Street venue has gone on to become famous regionally and nationally and is credited with helping to give countless artists a window which led on to stardom.

After news of Mr Jackson’s death spread tributes poured in on Notts TV’s Facebook page, with many sharing their favourite memories.

Amy Coulson said: “Rock City was a place for me and my friends to go and feel a part of something. I’ve seen so many gigs here over the years, it will always hold a special place in my heart. Thank you Sammy.”

Andrew Whitehead added: “My favourite venue! Oasis, Kasabian, The Chariatans, Ian Brown, Happy Mondays to name a few! Some Happy, happy times in that place.”

Sally Young: “Sticking to the floor, students nights early 1990’s and more recently Leveller’s gigs! Great venue and good times.”

Karen Shepherd: “This is the place I discovered my love for music, spent nearly every Friday and Saturday there in the 80’s and loved every second of it.”

Stephen Hopkins: “Spent all the 90’s in Rock City would travel from Wales every weekend until I moved up for a stint, the Ann Summers party, beach party’s, pj party those were all-nighters till 8am.”

Sammy was born in London but moved to Lincoln to open his first boutique before opening a music venue known as the Porterhouse in Retford in a vacant space above one of his shops.

There he secured names such as AC/DC, Motorhead and The Clash to play at his small venue.

Suede playing at Rock City.
Suede playing at Rock City.

In 1980 Sammy partnered up with George Akins to create Rock City as a venue for the upcoming punk/rock scene of the time.

Through three decades the venue has gone on to host an eclectic variety of some of the most celebrated bands of its time.

Guns and Roses, Public Enemy, Duran Duran, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Foo Fighters, and the Libertines are just a few of the many names to take to the stage at the iconic venue.

The son of his former partner George Akins junior, who is the managing director of DHP Family, the current owners of Rock City said: “Rock City is sad to hear of the passing of one of its founding fathers. Sammy was integral to the inception of Rock City and made an outstanding contribution to live music through his time at the Porterhouse and the early days of Rock City.”

Sammy’s funeral will be held at Lincoln Crematorium on Friday, January 27 at 1.50pm, and his family would like to welcome anyone who wants to join them to say their goodbyes.

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