Key Points
- Sally Rodgers, from Middlesbrough, performed alongside icons like Fatboy Slim, Daft Punk, Happy Mondays, and Grace Jones on Ibiza dancefloors in the 80s and 90s.
- Now back in Teesside, Rodgers collaborates with Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art (MIMA) and Teesside University to boost the area’s creative scene.
- Rodgers, one half of electronic duo A Man Called Adam with Steve Jones, grew up in Teesside working men’s clubs in the 1960s and 1970s, crediting them for her resilience.
- She left Redcar at 17 for London fashion work, then formed A Man Called Adam, securing record deals with hits like “Barefoot in the Head,” “Easter Song,” and “Estelle.”
- The duo played major Ibiza clubs including Amnesia, Ku, and Pacha during the 1990s boom.
- In the 2000s, Rodgers earned a Masters and PhD from the University of St Andrews, becoming Dr Sally Rodgers.
- Now living in Saltburn with her dog Monty, she and Jones produce music inspired by Teesside’s industrial heritage, like their 2023 album The Girl with a Hole in her Heart featuring Redcar steelworks sounds.
- Steve Jones relocated from Paris to Teesside, praising new generations’ excitement.
- Helen Welford, MIMA’s head of programmes, highlights the duo’s role in showcasing local arts.
- Rodgers focuses on events like Wintertide in Hartlepool, Middlesbrough Arts Week, and the People Powered exhibition on the River Tees.
- Sunday vinyl sessions at MIMA spotlight Teesside’s music history from Rock Garden to Bongo Club.
- Rodgers anticipates a big year with the Turner Prize coming to Middlesbrough, planning supportive events.
Middlesbrough (Cardiff Daily) January 29, 2026 – Sally Rodgers, the DJ who shared dancefloors with Fatboy Slim, Daft Punk, Happy Mondays, and Grace Jones in Ibiza during the 1980s and 1990s, has returned to her Middlesbrough roots to nurture emerging talent through partnerships with local arts bodies. Now collaborating with the Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art (MIMA) and Teesside University, Rodgers aims to elevate Teesside’s cultural profile. “We’ve built up relationships with a host of arts organisations,” she says. “There’s so much going on here. It’s an exciting time.”
Who is Sally Rodgers and What Are Her Roots?
Rodgers hails from Middlesbrough and now resides by the sea in Saltburn with her dog Monty. Her story began in Teesside, where she grew up immersed in the vibrant atmosphere of working men’s clubs during the 1960s and 1970s. “We had one in Middlesbrough, one in Grangetown, and one in Redcar,” she recalls. “My father’s family was third generation Irish Catholic. It was a cross between Derry Girls and Phoenix Nights! A lively childhood!”
She credits the resilience gained from those clubs’ characters—fishermen and steelworkers—for thriving in the tough music industry. At 17, Rodgers left Redcar for fashion work in London, performing at venues like Ronnie Scott’s in Soho. There, she met Steve Jones, forming pioneering electronic duo A Man Called Adam. Their 1980s and 1990s hits, including “Barefoot in the Head,” “Easter Song,” and “Estelle,” secured major record deals. “It was a real boomtime in the music industry, strangely it was easy to get a record deal,” Rodgers recalls. The pair headlined Ibiza’s iconic clubs: Amnesia, Ku, and Pacha. “The 90s were really fun.”
Teesside’s industrial grit contrasted sharply with Balearic sunshine, yet Rodgers describes it as the source of her “Northern blonde ambition.” A world away from hedonistic Ibiza nights, she now channels that energy locally.
Why Did Sally Rodgers Return to Teesside After Ibiza?
In the 2000s, A Man Called Adam paused DJing for new pursuits. Rodgers pursued academia at the University of St Andrews, earning a Masters and PhD, emerging as Dr Sally Rodgers. This pivot inspired her to foster creativity in Teesside communities, especially among youth, via local organisations.
Her work spans generations, remaining relevant today. She and Jones continue writing and producing, rooting their sound in Teesside’s heritage. Their 2023 album, The Girl with a Hole in her Heart, incorporates original sounds from the former Redcar steelworks. Steve Jones, who lived in Paris, relocated to Rodgers’ hometown. “There are new generations here with excitement, looking and thinking differently,” he says. “You just try to share your passion.”
Rodgers admits Teesside differs vastly from Ibiza clubs, but insists it’s where her journey started. She DJs nationwide and at Ibiza’s Café del Mar, yet prioritises empowerment through events like Hartlepool’s Wintertide and Middlesbrough Arts Week.
What Role Do MIMA and Teesside University Play?
Rodgers partners with MIMA and Teesside University to spotlight the region creatively. Helen Welford, MIMA’s head of programmes, praises their impact: “Sally and Steve are international artists making music here on Teesside. It sends such a positive message that this great work is happening on our doorstep.”
A recent highlight was the People Powered exhibition on the River Tees. “A real highlight of the last few months has been the People Powered exhibition, all about the River Tees,” Rodgers says. MIMA’s Sunday vinyl sessions focused on Teesside’s music scene, from Rock Garden to Bongo Club. “We hope to do these again,” she adds.
These initiatives build momentum, contrasting Teesside’s quieter streets with Balearic throbs, yet pulsing with potential.
How Are Steve Jones and Sally Rodgers Inspiring Youth?
As one half of A Man Called Adam, Rodgers and Jones mentor emerging artists. Their return symbolises global talent investing locally. Jones echoes Rodgers’ enthusiasm for fresh perspectives. Their industrial-inspired music bridges past and future.
Welford underscores their vital role: international stature validates Teesside’s scene. Rodgers beams about upcoming plans: “It’s going to be a momentous year for Teesside. We’re creating some events to support the Turner Prize which is just so exciting and a real coup for Middlesbrough. We just have so much here – more, more and more momentum.”
From Balearics to the Boro, Rodgers nurtures a new generation, blending Ibiza legacy with Teesside ambition. Her journey—from clubs to PhD to cultural catalyst—inspires resilience. Teesside’s creative hum grows louder.
What Events Highlight Teesside’s Cultural Momentum?
Key events include Wintertide in Hartlepool, Middlesbrough Arts Week, and vinyl sessions reviving local venues. The Turner Prize’s arrival promises peak excitement. Rodgers’ collaborations ensure Teesside thrives culturally.
