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Musicians 'overwhelmed' by blue plaque in hometown

Christopher Mace
BBC News, West of England
Steve Knibbs
Gloucestershire Reporter, BBC West
EMF reveal their blue plaque in Cinderford

A blue plaque honouring the achievements of a cult 90s band has been unveiled in their hometown.

EMF, from Cinderford in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, is best known for its hit single Unbelievable, which sold millions of copies worldwide.

Members of the band were there on Tuesday to see the plaque unveiled on Cinderford's town centre clock tower.

EMF also told fans who had travelled from around the country they will perform a free gig in Cinderford in July as a "homecoming".

"It's a long time since we've played in Cinderford," lead singer James Atkin told BBC Points West at the unveiling.

"Probably over three decades."

"In fact," added guitarist Ian Dench, "the last time we played here, there was a stage invasion and my 1959 Les Paul got broken in half, so Cinderford is always wild."

Mr Atkin said the blue plaque unveiling had been overwhelming.

"I'm going to need a sit down after that but it was brilliant."

James Atkin dressed in a royal blue-coloured jumper and baseball cap and Ian Dench in a black coat and royal blue beanie, pulling the sheet from their plaque on Cinderford's clock tower. It reads 'Contribution to Music. In recognition of Unbelievable achievements, EMF'
The plaque was unveiled by singer James Atkin and guitarist Ian Dench

"It's wonderful," added Mr Dench.

"As I drove in last night to Cinderford, I got the same sense of excitement I used to get when I came to visit James from Gloucester.

"We'd go out and party a bit too hard, go swimming in the lakes, in the forest and we'd write songs, practice and rehearse and I think the songs caught a bit of that excitement."

He added: "It was so lovely feeling that again and it's been so great being here."

Crowds of fans in Cinderford town centre, with a couple of TV cameras also filming the band as they interact with members of the public.
Some fans travelled for hours to be with the band for the unveiling

EMF fans from across the UK travelled to see the plaque unveiled and meet the band afterwards.

Helen MacDonald drove from London for the event.

"I've been a fan of EMF since I was 15," she explained.

"They represent quite a happy time in my life, in my teens, and I just think they're brilliant.

"It's a special occasion - quite an emotional occasion - and they deserve it," she said.

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