Legendary Mancunian producer honoured with blue plaque for groundbreaking acid house track

In a well-deserved nod to one of Manchester’s most influential musical pioneers, A Guy Called Gerald, born Gerald Simpson, has been honoured with a prestigious blue plaque.

The accolade recognises his ground-breaking role in producing the UK’s very first acid house track, “Voodoo Ray,” back in 1988.

This tribute cements Simpson’s place in both Manchester’s rich music history and the evolution of British electronic music.

A Guy Called Gerald

Simpson, a son of Manchester, shared the news via Instagram, posing with the commemorative plaque.

The post’s caption reads: “I would like to thank my ancestor and all who support my journey.”

Although the exact location of the plaque remains under wraps, the sentiment behind the recognition couldn’t be clearer—Gerald Simpson is a trailblazer who helped shape the sound of a generation.

The now-iconic track “Voodoo Ray” was created using the Roland TB303 drum machine, which gave the record its signature squelching sound—a technique pioneered by Chicago’s DJ Pierre but brought to UK shores by Simpson.

The legendary Moonraker Studios

First recorded at home, the track was later polished at Moonraker Studios in Manchester before being released to the world.

It quickly became a staple at Manchester’s legendary nightclub, The Haçienda, and soundtracked the Second Summer of Love in 1989, a pivotal period in UK dance culture.

Simpson recalls the early success of the track: “The very first pressing, we did 500 and it sold out straight away.”

From there, “Voodoo Ray” soared, spending 18 weeks on the UK Singles Chart, eventually peaking at number 12.

It was even awarded the title of best-selling independent single of 1989 by both Music Week and the British Phonographic Industry.

808 State

Before his solo fame, Simpson was a member of 808 State, the electronic group that became synonymous with Manchester’s acid house movement.

Alongside Graham Massey and Martin Price, the group released their own acid house classic “Pacific State” in 1989, another track that left a lasting imprint on the UK’s electronic scene.

However, Simpson left 808 State just before its release to pursue his solo career as A Guy Called Gerald.

Simpson’s work didn’t stop with acid house.

Breakbeat production

He moved into breakbeat production, eventually helping lay the groundwork for jungle and drum ‘n’ bass with his independent label, Juice Box Records. His contribution to these genres further cemented his place as a pioneer of electronic music.

However, despite the success of “Voodoo Ray,” Simpson has faced ongoing legal battles over unpaid royalties.

In 2021, he launched a crowdfunding campaign to address the issue, revealing that he hadn’t “made one penny from sales of Voodoo Ray or the Hot Lemonade LP.”

Despite the chart success, Simpson found himself struggling financially during the height of his fame, living in a squat and working at McDonald’s while his music became a club anthem.

Reflecting on this long fight for what he is owed, Simpson continues to speak out about the exploitation faced by artists in the music industry.

Yet today’s blue plaque recognition shines a much-needed light on his immense contributions to music.

For those who have danced to “Voodoo Ray” or been swept up in the sounds of jungle and drum ‘n’ bass, this blue plaque is a symbol of the creativity and resilience that has come out of Manchester’s music scene.

A Guy Called Gerald’s legacy is still very much alive—and finally, being honoured.