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Rum Runner

also looking for linda Reynolds. worked at the rum had two children cindy and stevie. love to make contact. joe from e and b taxis
 
thanks for the info. To all the people who worked in the bar or the casino we are having another party in Dec 2012 dates to be arranged
and any other people in the night clubs and casinos in the 60s and 70s.We recently had a party It was hosted by big Albert who was doorman there whe went on to own the Elbow Room More info to follow
 
Hello Lyn.

Most of my pix were destroyed in a minor flood at my home some years ago.

Here is a sad nostalgic pic of the club being demolished but still recognizable.View attachment 67899

Ted

This is my first attempt at uploading an image on this forum. Bear with me if it takes a second attempt.

hi ted if you are still looking in could you re post your photo of the club being demolished please or if any of our members saved the photo could they re post it..we lost it when the forum was hacked some years ago

many thanks

lyn
 
Rum Runner

Broad Street



The Rum Runner nightclub was opened
on Broad Street in the Birmingham city centre in 1964.
It was demolished in 1987.

One of the first 'house' bands, playing the cover versions of the day, became Magnum featuring
Bob Catley and Tony Clarkin.
They left the club in 1975 to play their own material of melodic rock.

Ray Berrow, who along with brother Don, their sister Tissy
and another brother , were the original owners.
Paul Berrow started at the club washing glasses,
as did his younger brother, Michael.
Ray and Don Berrow were all bookmakers.

Paul and Michael Berrow,
relaunched the club with an eclectic power playlist
borrowed from Studio 54 in New York.

Roxy Music and David Bowie nights were accompanied
by jazz funk nights which were strongly influenced
by New York's Chic powerdisco.

A real milestone in the history of the Rum Runner
was when a newly-formed group of musicians called Duran Duran walked in one day with a tape.
There was an instant mutual appeal between
the Berrows and the band,
and the Berrows offered Duran Duran a place
to rehearse and play gigs.
The band found themselves becoming heavily involved
with the running of the club with John Taylor working the door,
Nick Rhodes deejaying for .£10 a night,
Roger Taylor working as a glass collector
and Andy Taylor polishing mirrors,
painting and cooking burgers for cash.
Duran Duran quickly became the resident band
at the venue.

After many months, Michael and Paul Berrow
signed as Duran Duran's managers.
The Berrows and the band then formed the
Tritec Music company
(named after the triangular-themed bar inside the club).
The label used the Rum Runner office upstairs from the club
as its official address
. Paul & Michael's father was a well known in the Birmingham entertainment scene.
Michael mortgaged his house to make funds f
or their supporting act roll for Hazel O'Connors UK tour.

In developing the club's musical identity
they also gave free rehearsal space to bands like
Dexys Midnight Runners and UB40,
with The Beat filming a video for their song 'Mirror In The Bathroom'
taking full advantage of the many mirrors that walled the club.

As time went by they opened more and more
different evenings and one of the residents
became DJ Dick who later went on to form Rockers Hi-Fi
and who now hosts the city's main Funk Acid Jazz
night called Leftfoot, situated at The Medicine Bar.

Notable denizens of the club included De Harriss,
Mulligan, and Marlon Recchi of Fashion,
Martin Degville and other members of Sigue Sigue Sputnik,
Nigel & Jimmy (managers), Al Beard (security), and Liam (general socialite).
A band called the Craig played there a lot? Drummer Carl Palmer?
 
Strange the things we keep. I found my Rum Runner membership card tucked away in a old wallet with my very first drivers licence. I didn't own a car in those days but my mate did, which meant he never had any money and I always ended up paying for petrol and drinks. I'd just met a new girl and to impress her he suggested that that we should go to the Rum Runner in his car, also taking along his girlfriend. What an expensive night that was! It must have been around this time of year, 1972 as I remember them playing 'Your So Vain' by Carly Simon. It was quite an apt song as I recall the girl continually looking at her reflection every time we passed a mirror or shop window! The romance didn't last - my meagre wages couldn't fund the club lifestyle!
1576421943462.png
 
Noticed a poster the other day approximately where the King Edward pub used to be in Lichfield Road - it was advertising a Rum Rummer reunion on Boxing Day.
 

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Strange the things we keep. I found my Rum Runner membership card tucked away in a old wallet with my very first drivers licence. I didn't own a car in those days but my mate did, which meant he never had any money and I always ended up paying for petrol and drinks. I'd just met a new girl and to impress her he suggested that that we should go to the Rum Runner in his car, also taking along his girlfriend. What an expensive night that was! It must have been around this time of year, 1972 as I remember them playing 'Your So Vain' by Carly Simon. It was quite an apt song as I recall the girl continually looking at her reflection every time we passed a mirror or shop window! The romance didn't last - my meagre wages couldn't fund the club lifestyle!
View attachment 139932
Oh those were the days young and broke, now just old and broke.
 
real long shot there was a trio who played the Rum Runner in the early 70's the vocalist was the drummer and they had a real big hit with a song called Handel with Care (the melody was based on a Handel inspired hymn) can't for the life remember their name and searches done using the title only bring up The Travelling Wilburies...any info really appreciated
 
Strange the things we keep. I found my Rum Runner membership card tucked away in a old wallet with my very first drivers licence. I didn't own a car in those days but my mate did, which meant he never had any money and I always ended up paying for petrol and drinks. I'd just met a new girl and to impress her he suggested that that we should go to the Rum Runner in his car, also taking along his girlfriend. What an expensive night that was! It must have been around this time of year, 1972 as I remember them playing 'Your So Vain' by Carly Simon. It was quite an apt song as I recall the girl continually looking at her reflection every time we passed a mirror or shop window! The romance didn't last - my meagre wages couldn't fund the club lifestyle!
View attachment 139932
remember the Rum Runner decal (the black footprint with the red background) had one on my Ford Escort's rear window
 
real long shot there was a trio who played the Rum Runner in the early 70's the vocalist was the drummer and they had a real big hit with a song called Handel with Care (the melody was based on a Handel inspired hymn) can't for the life remember their name and searches done using the title only bring up The Travelling Wilburies...any info really appreciated
The Peddlers
 
I remember the Peddlers, they were a sort of jazzy trio.
I think they had a couple of hit records didn't they?
 
What a wonderful history of the Rum Runner. In the early 1970s a group of us spent most Friday nights drinking far too much German lager in Bogarts Beer Keller then moving enmass to the Rum Runner till kicking out time at 2 am. I cant remember too much about the place as I was far too tipsy other than it was very loud and packed to overflowing. At 2 am it was over to the curry house for a foul curry thats always induced a welcome vomit resulting in us all feeling much better. Happy days!
2am Lightweights. No Purple Hearts I suspect. Does anyone know when Le Metro closed. I never went after Jugs O Henry moved to Lancaster Gate.
 
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