I lived round the corner from the Oxford club back in the late 80s.I was round that way recently driving,but didn't see it,probably gone now,shame as it was ok.
Be nice to hear some memories of it from its heyday of the 60s/70s.
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the cedar club
- Thread starter Astoness
- Start date
I lived round the corner from the Oxford club back in the late 80s.I was round that way recently driving,but didn't see it,probably gone now,shame as it was ok.
Be nice to hear some memories of it from its heyday of the 60s/70s.
J
jean nesbitt
Guest
Hi used to know a family called Botterill they lived top of whitmore st small heath and belonged to the salvation army they had a son called Tony.
J
jean nesbitt
Guest
Daddy long legs was before the dolls club was built on the same side as the dolls but neare town not much though prior to it being daddy long legs it was known as the thirteen club maybe that was the number of the building? The dolls club was built by Sammy Ram who owned a strip club in green lane near the lights. It was then bought by my late brother in law Bertie barton and his partner Billy Wilkes ( who bought the Bermuda club from Eddie Fewtrell and renamed it the Capri) That dolls club then passed to Jimmy Makenzie and Barton/wilkes then went on to open a new club in Aston called Chaplins now known as The Elbow room...they also oprn the Watersplash in walsall and the penny cliff country club
W
Wendy
Guest
Wow all this history from the families concerned great! The only one I went to was The Elbow Room........many moons ago!
ethanedwards
Brummie Muso
Wow all this history from the families concerned great! The only one I went to was The Elbow Room........many moons ago!
The Elbow was my next favourite to the Cedar, then afterwards Rebecca's
J
jean nesbitt
Guest
forgot to say I worked behind the bar at the cedar and left to go run the Balalika just below the cedar. I worked there just prior to the two sisters who also worked behind the bar were tradgically killed in a car accident..they were beautiful young women the one I recall most was Stephanie....sad xx
J
jean nesbitt
Guest
never used the emerald much think by that time I was living in bristo; or some place.... hey you remember kingston hill park when you nearly earned yourself half a crown.......and when we usded to go to the nuns down by dixon rd haha xxx
Tacitus
master brummie
Does anyone know exactly when the Cedar Club closed.
I am guessing it was early 1980's as that is the only time I went there and it was in a shocking state.
I went to see a band who were on the fringe of the punk scene and took along a girl who would have been more at home in one of the city centre clubs.
Before I knew it the music and the surroundings (and hopefully not my company!!) had actually driven her to tears.
To be honest the tears were fully justified.
Decided it was time to make a quick exit and never went back - EVER!!
T
I am guessing it was early 1980's as that is the only time I went there and it was in a shocking state.
I went to see a band who were on the fringe of the punk scene and took along a girl who would have been more at home in one of the city centre clubs.
Before I knew it the music and the surroundings (and hopefully not my company!!) had actually driven her to tears.
To be honest the tears were fully justified.
Decided it was time to make a quick exit and never went back - EVER!!
T
ethanedwards
Brummie Muso
I'm sure he was a friend of mine. Did he go into selling Double-glazing?
Cause he did use the Cedar.
ethanedwards
Brummie Muso
Cedar Club. Constitution Hill
Rebeccas Lower Severn Street
Barbarellas,
Polyannas (Edward No.8)-John Bright Street
Abigail's
Boogie's nightclub,
Boogie's Brasserie
Edward's No.7
Edward's No.8,
Paramount pub
Goldwyn's.
Eddie Fewtrell's, empire in Birmingham,
became one of the greatest in club history,
and one of the best of it's kind in the country.
Birmingham would definitely not be the place that it is today,
without Eddie Fewtrell, known as 'King of Clubs'.
Born one of ten children in the 1930s,
in the backstreets of Aston, much of Eddie's childhood
was spent keeping house and caring for his younger brothers.
An alcoholic father and an invalid mother prevented him
from attending school and leading a normal life -
a scenario a million light years away
from the vast nightclub empire that he was destined to build.
By the 1970s he had become the most powerful man
in Birmingham's Clubland.
With the support of his large family, in particular his seven brothers,
he went on to achieve even greater success.
Eddie's first club, the Bermuda Club, was in Navigation Street,
Eddie moved to pastures new, in the form of the Cedar Club, on Constitution Hill.
Over the next few years Eddie opened
Rebecca's, Abigail's, Boogie's nightclub,
Boogie's Brasserie, Edward's No.7, Edward's No.8,
the Paramount pub and Goldwyn's.
Barbarella's became the top showcase for
many up and coming UK pop groups.
In 1989, he sold his clubs to Ansells but he returned three years
later to open a new wave of clubs.
Professional success came at a high price;
In his book 'King Of Clubs'
Eddie reveals how his millionaire lifestyle and the pursuit of wealth led to tragic consequences.
Sadly one tagic consequence was the death of
of one of Eddie's brothers Don Fewtrell
The Cedar Club, on the corner at the left of the picture
Don managed the Cedar Club in Constitution Hill, which ran for 30 years and changed the face of nightlife in Birmingham for good.
He left Birmingham for a while to live in Australia
but returned to his roots in the late 1980s.
Millionaire Eddie, 74, who retired to Ross-on-Wye
where he breeds horses, said today:
"Don had been in the depths of depression about losing his sight and I think this was a cry for help.
"He had been on anti-depressants for some time because
he couldn't bear the thought of going blind.
"I kept trying to encourage him that all kinds of operations
could be done now and he may still have partial sight,
but the whole thing got him down.
"It's a real tragedy and I'm devastated to lose Don like this.
I feel if his diabetes had been diagnosed earlier something more could have been done."
Don and Eddie were two of ten children brought up by a strict Irish mother.
The Cedar Club featured many top names, from The Faces, Rod Stewart,Staus Quo, and 50's and 60's stars such as Duane Eddy, Cat Stevens
Even Jimi Hendrix made a cameo appearance there,
more on that in my post below.
The names that appeared at all of Eddie's clubs are endless.
Rebecca's, Abigail's and Barbarella's featured celebrities from David Bowie to Freddie Mercury and even boxing legends Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier. appeared
The Cedar had probably one of the first DJ's in the city, called Ted.
He was an eccentric character, with a 'posh' voice.
One of the first resident bands was Carl Wayne And The Vikings
who had just returned to Birmingham from Germany.
In the mid 1960s in Birmingham, the Cedar Club
was the place to go and see the "happening" acts.
Other local bands who performed there regularly was
Danny King and The Mayfair Set and Mike Sheridan and The Nightriders.
Various members from these three groups would sometimes get together
on stage for spontaneous jam sessions.
Davy Jones & The Lower Third from London were performing at
The Cedar Club one evening late in 1965 and their singer
(who would later change his name to David Bowie)
mentioned to Trevor Burton from the Mayfair Set and Ace Kefford from The Vikings
that they should consider forming their own group. , The Move
Rebecca's was unique, has it had three or four floors,
and on each one was a band or DJ catering for
different music genres.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I have fond memories of the Fewtrells,
and although they were a tough family running
a very tough empire,
they always made me welcome.
As an aspiring songwriter, I wished to meet the 'stars'
The first club I ever went to was The Cedar Club,
and Don Fewtrell was always there and I was fortunate
to make friends with him, through mutual friends.
I had some great nights there.
I saw Status Quo, when they were in their
'Pictures of Matchstick' days.
Cat Stevens, running off the stage crying,
after being booed for being so awful.
The most memorable night was when
Jimi Hendrix and his entourage entered the club.
Jimi had been performing at the Birmingham Odeon,
and popped in the a late drink.
It was unbelievable, when he was coaxed on stage,
and performed the most fantastic set, using the residents bands
Fender Strat, nad played the 'hell out of it'
even though he was left handed and it was strung the wrong way round!
What a memory that is!
Many famous faces could be seen around the circular bar,
and in the casino.
One night I arrived at the club, to find a familar face
hanging around outside.
It was Robert Plant, who for some reason was refused entrance.
Ironically, as I knew Don Fewtrell, I was able to gain
access for the then pre- Zep Robert!
I always remember one of the younger brothers Bomber
would be on the door, along with boxer Johnny Prescott, I think!
At Rebecca's you'd often see the Late Pat Roach on the door.
One night Pat knowing I'd recently returned from Sweden,
called on me to help with some Swedish guests.
The Fewtreels would often ask me to stay over,
at their frequent private parties after the club closed.
We would all then gather in the bottom club room,
where were treated to a few drinks and snacks.
Like all us 'townies' if one club seemed flat,
we'd all 'do the circuit'
off to Rebecca's, Elbow, Rum, sometimes taking in
three of four clubs a night, untill catching up with everyone.
Great days, indeed.
Rebeccas Lower Severn Street
Barbarellas,
Polyannas (Edward No.8)-John Bright Street
Abigail's
Boogie's nightclub,
Boogie's Brasserie
Edward's No.7
Edward's No.8,
Paramount pub
Goldwyn's.
Eddie Fewtrell's, empire in Birmingham,
became one of the greatest in club history,
and one of the best of it's kind in the country.
Birmingham would definitely not be the place that it is today,
without Eddie Fewtrell, known as 'King of Clubs'.
Born one of ten children in the 1930s,
in the backstreets of Aston, much of Eddie's childhood
was spent keeping house and caring for his younger brothers.
An alcoholic father and an invalid mother prevented him
from attending school and leading a normal life -
a scenario a million light years away
from the vast nightclub empire that he was destined to build.
By the 1970s he had become the most powerful man
in Birmingham's Clubland.
With the support of his large family, in particular his seven brothers,
he went on to achieve even greater success.
Eddie's first club, the Bermuda Club, was in Navigation Street,
Eddie moved to pastures new, in the form of the Cedar Club, on Constitution Hill.
Over the next few years Eddie opened
Rebecca's, Abigail's, Boogie's nightclub,
Boogie's Brasserie, Edward's No.7, Edward's No.8,
the Paramount pub and Goldwyn's.
Barbarella's became the top showcase for
many up and coming UK pop groups.
In 1989, he sold his clubs to Ansells but he returned three years
later to open a new wave of clubs.
Professional success came at a high price;
In his book 'King Of Clubs'
Eddie reveals how his millionaire lifestyle and the pursuit of wealth led to tragic consequences.
Sadly one tagic consequence was the death of
of one of Eddie's brothers Don Fewtrell
The Cedar Club, on the corner at the left of the picture
Don managed the Cedar Club in Constitution Hill, which ran for 30 years and changed the face of nightlife in Birmingham for good.
He left Birmingham for a while to live in Australia
but returned to his roots in the late 1980s.
Millionaire Eddie, 74, who retired to Ross-on-Wye
where he breeds horses, said today:
"Don had been in the depths of depression about losing his sight and I think this was a cry for help.
"He had been on anti-depressants for some time because
he couldn't bear the thought of going blind.
"I kept trying to encourage him that all kinds of operations
could be done now and he may still have partial sight,
but the whole thing got him down.
"It's a real tragedy and I'm devastated to lose Don like this.
I feel if his diabetes had been diagnosed earlier something more could have been done."
Don and Eddie were two of ten children brought up by a strict Irish mother.
The Cedar Club featured many top names, from The Faces, Rod Stewart,Staus Quo, and 50's and 60's stars such as Duane Eddy, Cat Stevens
Even Jimi Hendrix made a cameo appearance there,
more on that in my post below.
The names that appeared at all of Eddie's clubs are endless.
Rebecca's, Abigail's and Barbarella's featured celebrities from David Bowie to Freddie Mercury and even boxing legends Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier. appeared
The Cedar had probably one of the first DJ's in the city, called Ted.
He was an eccentric character, with a 'posh' voice.
One of the first resident bands was Carl Wayne And The Vikings
who had just returned to Birmingham from Germany.
In the mid 1960s in Birmingham, the Cedar Club
was the place to go and see the "happening" acts.
Other local bands who performed there regularly was
Danny King and The Mayfair Set and Mike Sheridan and The Nightriders.
Various members from these three groups would sometimes get together
on stage for spontaneous jam sessions.
Davy Jones & The Lower Third from London were performing at
The Cedar Club one evening late in 1965 and their singer
(who would later change his name to David Bowie)
mentioned to Trevor Burton from the Mayfair Set and Ace Kefford from The Vikings
that they should consider forming their own group. , The Move
Rebecca's was unique, has it had three or four floors,
and on each one was a band or DJ catering for
different music genres.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I have fond memories of the Fewtrells,
and although they were a tough family running
a very tough empire,
they always made me welcome.
As an aspiring songwriter, I wished to meet the 'stars'
The first club I ever went to was The Cedar Club,
and Don Fewtrell was always there and I was fortunate
to make friends with him, through mutual friends.
I had some great nights there.
I saw Status Quo, when they were in their
'Pictures of Matchstick' days.
Cat Stevens, running off the stage crying,
after being booed for being so awful.
The most memorable night was when
Jimi Hendrix and his entourage entered the club.
Jimi had been performing at the Birmingham Odeon,
and popped in the a late drink.
It was unbelievable, when he was coaxed on stage,
and performed the most fantastic set, using the residents bands
Fender Strat, nad played the 'hell out of it'
even though he was left handed and it was strung the wrong way round!
What a memory that is!
Many famous faces could be seen around the circular bar,
and in the casino.
One night I arrived at the club, to find a familar face
hanging around outside.
It was Robert Plant, who for some reason was refused entrance.
Ironically, as I knew Don Fewtrell, I was able to gain
access for the then pre- Zep Robert!
I always remember one of the younger brothers Bomber
would be on the door, along with boxer Johnny Prescott, I think!
At Rebecca's you'd often see the Late Pat Roach on the door.
One night Pat knowing I'd recently returned from Sweden,
called on me to help with some Swedish guests.
The Fewtreels would often ask me to stay over,
at their frequent private parties after the club closed.
We would all then gather in the bottom club room,
where were treated to a few drinks and snacks.
Like all us 'townies' if one club seemed flat,
we'd all 'do the circuit'
off to Rebecca's, Elbow, Rum, sometimes taking in
three of four clubs a night, untill catching up with everyone.
Great days, indeed.
S
Stitcher
Guest
Hello ethanedwards, I too have great memories of the clubs and other musicvenues because I worked the doors all over town, sometimes on a freelance system.
To answer your question about Cliff, I do have a faint memory of him going into the D.Glazing business. I can ask someone who will know and post a reply in a few days time.
To answer your question about Cliff, I do have a faint memory of him going into the D.Glazing business. I can ask someone who will know and post a reply in a few days time.
ethanedwards
Brummie Muso
Thanks, I feel sure it was the same person.
At one time he was my best friend,drinking and holidaying together.
I met him at 'The Old House At Home' and later we drank at 'The Court Oak'
he lived in Harborne, at the end had a hpuse in Lordswood Road.
He had his own DG business,Embassy Widows,
located I f I remember in Blackheath.
The reason it makes me think he was the same person,
was that some of his other friends were taxi drivers!
I heard a few years back that he had sadly passed away.
maz_beth
master brummie
interesting stuff about the Fewtrells
first club I went in was Samantha's [over Silver Blades] in about '75
then in about '76 I think we used to go in the Cedar Club as I was part of a crowd that drank at the Duke of York further down
Barbarella's..think I saw AC/DC there [NOT my cuppa tea though], and Herbie Hancock, who I only knew of as he had a hit in the u.K. that year with 'I Thought It Was You'
we used to go in Rebeccas and Pollyannas as well, and Snobs, which I think is still there under another name...my son was going to go to it a couple of years ago when he was still in 6th form college
oh, and of course the Locarno, and the Bali Hai in there
used to go to The Elbow Room in the late 70's/very early 80's - but I think the last time I went to it may have been '87 with some girls who I worked with as psych nurse students
first club I went in was Samantha's [over Silver Blades] in about '75
then in about '76 I think we used to go in the Cedar Club as I was part of a crowd that drank at the Duke of York further down
Barbarella's..think I saw AC/DC there [NOT my cuppa tea though], and Herbie Hancock, who I only knew of as he had a hit in the u.K. that year with 'I Thought It Was You'
we used to go in Rebeccas and Pollyannas as well, and Snobs, which I think is still there under another name...my son was going to go to it a couple of years ago when he was still in 6th form college
oh, and of course the Locarno, and the Bali Hai in there
used to go to The Elbow Room in the late 70's/very early 80's - but I think the last time I went to it may have been '87 with some girls who I worked with as psych nurse students
S
shazza
Guest
i started frequenting the cedar club in 1978 with 2 other black girls we occasionaly dressed the same(we must have thought we were the 3 degrees)and get on the stage and dance(much to the dismay of the dj and all the other regulars) We had some fantastic nights in there,the only time i saw it abit gloomy was the night when Thatcher came into power,but the low mood didnt last for long.I used to look forward all week to my friday or saturday night there and was never dissapointed.Those were the GOOD OLD DAYS
M
Mossy
Guest
Hi Shazza welcome to thee forum
Mau-reece
Mau-reece
S
shazza
Guest
hi mossy thank you very much for that welcome.
S
shazza
Guest
hi mossy thank you very much for the welcome
M
Mossy
Guest
You are more than welcome Shazzzzzzzzza
Mau-reeeeeeccccceeeee
Mau-reeeeeeccccceeeee
M
Mossy
Guest
S
shazza
Guest
:thumbsup:
nice one mossy, ireally wish we were that glamorous but sadly it wasnt meant to be we were really like madness lol.
M
Mossy
Guest
I dont believe you Shassssssaaaa lol......madness i dont think so
Mau-reeeeecccceeee
Mau-reeeeecccceeee
S
shazza
Guest
belieeeeeve we, were the black female eqivelant to them,
Brownowl40
proper brummie kid
Remember seeing U2 at the Cedar club with a group called Fashion - late 79/80??? Remember talking to the group afterward - days before they became megastars! Anyone else remember this gig?
punchdrunk1
New Member
polyannas became top cats then tressines ,no8s was only ever no8s,