Clinton's tribute to punk pioneer

Bill Clinton has written to a veteran Belfast music figure, praising his role in promoting alternatives to violence.

Celebrating its 30th anniversary, Terri Hooley's Good Vibrations record label and shop opened in the punk era as the Troubles raged in the city.

He said Mr Hooley gave "young people something positive to say yes to".

"Music is a powerful unifying force in our world, bringing people together across boundaries of geography, background, religion and culture."

'Ring of steel'

Mr Hooley said although he was "an old hippy", punk had been a ray of hope amid the violence on the streets of Belfast in the late 1970s.

"It didn't matter whether you were Protestant, Catholic, whether you had green, orange or purple hair, as long as you were punk it was fine"
Terri Hooley

"In those days, there was a ring of steel around the city," he said.

"The only people you saw in the city centre at night apart from the police and army, were the punks going down to the Harp Bar.

"The great thing about punk was it was the first time in 10 years that the kids could get together.

"It didn't matter whether you were Protestant, Catholic, whether you had green, orange or purple hair, as long as you were punk it was fine."

The Undertones, one of Hooley's protégées, headline a concert at Belfast's Mandela Hall on Friday evening.

"Good Vibrations offered listeners the opportunity to better understand and appreciate one another through the common language of music"
Bill Clinton

Good Vibrations released the Undertones' 1977 single Teenage Kicks, the favourite song of legendary DJ John Peel.

Amid the anniversary celebrations, work is currently underway on a movie screenplay charting Mr Hooley's remarkable story beginning during the darkest days of the Troubles.

In his letter, the former US president said Northern Ireland holds a special place in his heart.

"Good Friday, April 10th 1998, the day that the parties in Northern Ireland agreed to a plan to end 30 years of sectarian violence, was one of the happiest days of my presidency," he said.

"While I am proud of my contribution in bringing about the Agreement, I know that no government policy can truly succeed without the grassroots efforts of the people those policies would effect."

Mr Clinton said Good Vibrations had "helped individual musicians realise their dreams, but also offered listeners the opportunity to better understand and appreciate one another through the common language of music".

Mr Hooley said he was impressed by Mr Clinton's tribute, which came ahead of a special concert on Friday night.

"He is a musician as well - that's what's most important to me. He obviously gets it," he said.