WHAT is the most important person or place in local music history? The BBC is hoping to unveil 40 blue plaques around the country – one for each of its local radio stations – on its Music Day on June 9, and is asking its audience to come up with suggestions this week of places where plaques may be posted.

The official criteria says: “The blue plaque commemorates innovative, influential and successful people who’re no longer with us. This could be a singer, musician, songwriter or producer from any genre of music. The plaques can also celebrate significant locations which are a big part of our musical heritage, for example iconic venues.”

BBC Tees has asked me to help adjudicate so I wondered what might be on my list of contenders:

The Globe at Stockton

The Northern Echo:

The Globe Theatre, in Stockton circa 1960

From 1957 to 1974, this art deco cinema hosted everyone. Most famously, The Beatles were on stage as President JF Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas on November 22, 1963, but also Cilla, Cliff, the Kinks, the Stones and, into a new wave, Mud, the Rollers, and Showaddywaddy all played the Globe. The Shadows appeared there in 1962, and composed much of Summer Holiday and a song, The Stars Fell on Stockton. The Globe must be the Tees Valley’s most iconic venue.

Redcar Jazz Club

Or is it the Coatham Hotel where, from 1958 to 1973, Cream, the Bee Gees, The Who, the Quo, the Floyd, the Mac and T Rex played. Plus Joe Cocker and Yes. On one Saturday night alone, Free were supported by Whitesnake – two of the biggest bands with local connections.

Imperial Hotel, Darlington

The Northern Echo: WRIGHT SHOT: Ian Wright's picture of the Jimi Hendrix Experience - Mitch Mitchell on the left and Noel Redding on the right - in the Imperial Hotel, Darlington, on February 2, 1967, shortly before their soundcheck. The only other known picture taken t

The biggest night in Darlington’s music history was February 2, 1967, when Jimi Hendrix, climbing the Top 10 with his first single, played to 200 bemused and possibly befuddled teenagers. Most famously of all, Hendrix’ favourite guitar was sold, and is still said to be in the town.

Dunelm House, Durham

The Northern Echo:

Dunelm House in 1969

One cold night in early 1970, Free went down very badly in front of a miserable crowd of 30 students in the students’ union. Dispirited in the dressing room, bassist Andy Fraser tried to change the mood with an upbeat line that popped into his head: “All right now, baby it’s all right now.” Within 20 minutes they had a global hit – All Right Now topped the charts in 20 countries and in 2006 was played for the 3,000,000th time on US radio.

Howgill, Newbiggin-in-Teesdale

In 1949, quarryman, leadminer and folksinger Mark Anderson gave a song from his Teesdale repertoire to collector Ewan MacColl – father of Kirsty. In 1951, in the High Force Hotel, Mr Anderson was recorded singing the song. In 1965, the song, and possibly the tape, found their way to Paul Simon in London who liked it so much, he introduced it to his partner Art Garfunkel, and together they recorded Scarborough Fair. Who in the world has not sung “parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme”?

Etherley Lane, Bishop Auckland: flats now stand on the home of Nicholas Kilburn. He was more interested in music-making than his family’s iron-making business, and became an inspirational friend of Sir Edward Elgar, England’s greatest classical composer, who regularly stayed with him. In 1912, Elgar, composer of Land of Hope and Glory, dedicated his new work, The Music Makers, to Kilburn. It used as lyrics an 1874 poem by Arthur O’Shaughnessy which includes the phrase “movers and shakers”, which you must have used.

You have until Sunday to get your better suggestions to BBC Tees, or email me: chris.lloyd@nne.co.uk