The West Midlands boasts some seriously talented exports, from movie stars and musicians to world class football players.
Recently, we’ve had a look at the famous faces - actors, musicians and even politicians - who were raised in and around Birmingham. Now, we’ve decided to take a look at the famous celebrities who grew up in the north west areas of the city: Great Barr and Perry Barr.
Many famous people grew up in the Birmingham districts which have plenty to offer and are steeped in history. Great Barr Hall is a Grade II* listed building. St. Margaret’s Church also stands nearby, and Birmingham Canal Navigations‘ Tame Valley Canal runs through Great Barr.
And in Aston Villa actually first played in Perry Barr. The club opened their Wellington Road ground in Perry Barr in 1876, playing there until 1897. It’s also home to the international athletics stadium Alexander Stadium.
A number of actors, sportspeople and other famous faces all come from the areas. With this in mind, we’ve taken a look at the most famous people who are from Great Barr and Perry Barr, including those who were born in the areas, as well as those who have lived there at some point during their lifetime.
Let’s take a look:
9. Steve Winwood
He was born in Handsworth in 1948 and grew up to become one of the most influential musicians in the world. Steve was a choirboy at St John’s Church of England parish church in Perry Barr. A member of the Spencer Davis Group, Traffic and Blind Faith - with hits including Higher Love and Roll With it - Winwood became inducted into the Rock and Rol Hall of Fame in 2004. He became part of the Birmingham blues rock scene while he was a pupil at Great Barr School. Steve reportedly has a home both in the UK and Tennessee USA. | Getty Images
10. Steve Adey
Adey was born in Great Barr. He is an English musician and singer-songwriter.As of 2018 Adey has released three studio albums and various EPs and singles. Adey released his critically well received debut album All Things Real in 2006 through independent record label Grand Harmonium Records | Image of musician Steve Adey used for promoting The Tower of Silence LP Photo: Image of musician Steve Adey used for promoting The Tower of Silence LP
11. Gillian Wearing CBE
Wearing is an English conceptual artist, one of the Young British Artists, and winner of the 1997 Turner Prize. In 2007 Wearing was elected as lifetime member of the Royal Academy of Arts in London. She as born in Birmingham and went to school in Great Barr | Flickr Photo: Flickr