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Birmingham Nightclubs of the Past - Memories

Martin Hone did push for many years for the Grand Prix, I was on A.T.V. one night he was capaining for it. Sadly others stole his thunder in the end, and he got pushed aside.

Ann
 
Ann B said:
Martin Hone did push for many years for the Grand Prix, I was on A.T.V. one night he was capaining for it. Sadly others stole his thunder in the end, and he got pushed aside. Ann
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To me, it was down to him it happened. Shame that torrential rain spoiled the event.
[ame="https://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=MTmoQOu8ULk"]YouTube - 1986 - Birmingham Superprix - The F3000 race[/ame]
 
Thanks for posting that link Lloyd. I agree it would have never happenened without Matin Hone. His name was synonymous with the Birmingham Grand Prix for many years.
His club The Opposite Lock was a really good club too. I remember seeing Count Basie there.
He still goes rally racing, by the way. And does a lot for charity.
Ann
 
I can only think that lunchtimes were quieter. We went every Saturday for a long time and I don't remember trouble. I was still at school.
 
My husband used to go there at lunchtime as well! he's 62 so may have been there at the same time!
 
Great Photo Phil, where did you get that one, have you anymore of other clubs? The West End had a bouncing floor that was great for Bopping and the lunch time dance was magic on Saturdays. here a photo outside the doors in 1966 comming up

pmc1947 said:
Jean

you could be right, I wouldn't know I didn't frequent such violent places. Well not after I got kicked out for fighting. I suppose the best way to find out is to ask anna60 if it was this place.

Phil
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Hi everyone,
I'm surprised that the West End used to have fights there. When I used to go very rarely in the late 1950's it was very sedate - lots of ballroom dancing and not much rock and roll. I liked the Tower best - used to go every Saturday n ight. And talking about dancing at lunch time - I used to go in my lunch hour to rock and roll sessions at the ??? at the bottom of New St. I worked at the Ivy Bush at the time and was always late back - didn't have much time for dancing. But it was good fun.
Sheri
 
West End photos only outside between 65/66. Do you all remember those grotty front double doors
 
Bob,
You may have already seen it, but if not I posted a photo insde the Rum Runner on page 23 of this thread.
I remember the bouny floor at the West End.
My cousin ran the club at The Golden Eagle in Hill Street where Spencer Davis were formed. Do you remember that one?
Ann
 
Lovely photo Ann, what was your cousins name? Our photos of the 60's are a historical visual document of Brum at these great times, its a shame that more people can't dig the old photos out and post to this site! Look at the fashion and the hair cuts, does it remind you of the fashions today I think the 60's look is back, great days!! I did go to the eagle but found the pubs at the bottome of Hill St. better, for instance The Grapes and the Tavern, I think was the name under the Hotel by the Whiskey A go go

Ann B said:
Bob,
You may have already seen it, but if not I posted a photo insde the Rum Runner on page 23 of this thread.
I remember the bouny floor at the West End.
My cousin ran the club at The Golden Eagle in Hill Street where Spencer Davis were formed. Do you remember that one?
Ann
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My cousin was Brian Allen. He was a film editor as well for A.T.V. and worked on Thank Your Lucky Stars and For Teenagers Only. He used to get me passes for the recordings. We'd go to lunch at the pub across the road with Jim Dale.
I agree about the photos, those you posted really have the essence of the era, bring it all back.
We became mods when we started going to the Brum Cavern Small heath.
I know we went to the Whisky, but we weren't regulars. And others we went to down Hill St, but I can't remember the names either.
This is a photo of my cousin Val's club card for her brother's club.
Stevie Winwood, because of another family connection, recently asked to see a Golden Eagle photo. I sent copies to him, and he sent two back signed!
Ann
 
I enjoyed the Carlton club in Erdington.. You used to go up what seemed to be a fire escape. Spent many a Thursday there and was chatted up a few times by Stevie Windward. Thought he was a bit on the scrawny side. I was never phased by a bloke because he was in the limelight. Don't crave after those days they have gone and I have moved on and love life today. Don't need to look back in that way. The only times I miss are at Prestatyn holiday camp. That's only becauses of the horses. Jean.
 
Jean,
I used to go to the Carlton as well. Mind you we went out so many nights back then, I think we did all the clubs. Steve was one who improved with age I think. I don't hanker for those days either, but I do love to look at the photos and I enjoy the recollections.
Ann
 
I agree. Steve used to live in a road off the top of Dyas. Won't come to mind at the moment. Maybe in the morning. Where did you live in Brum in those days Anne?. I was born in Holte road. Bye. Jean.
 
Thanks Mossy. I knew the road pass it when I visit my sons house at the top of Dias. Steve [my son] lives opposite Atlantic. My brain cells were asleep last night. When I was a teenager I never idolised anyone. Saw the likes of Marian Faithfull etc at the Plaza Handsworth. The Carlton was my favourite place as it was smaller than most clubs and you met more or less the same people every week. Bye. Jean.
 
I agree with Sheri, the West End Ballroom was always very sedate, even a bit stuffy I thought. I used to occasionally go there on a Saturday night. It was mainly ballroom dancing and was always quiet, so we never stayed there long and always made our way on to somewhere livelier. Never saw any fights there in the late 50's.
 
Heres a picture of the West End Ballroom when it was very sedate, I don't think there was much fighting went on that night.

Also one of the Masque Ballroom in Walford Rd, that looks suspiciously like the Embassy Roller Rink to me, but I'm assured that it became the Harp Social Club.

I have learned not to trust the captions put on some of these old snaps years after they were taken.

Phil

City West End Billy Monk Orchestra Residend Band 1938 .jpgSparkbrook Masque Ballroom Walford Rd.JPG
 
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Looks as though it was a posh do at the West End that night Phil. Do you know what year that photo was taken?

Judy
 
AnnB

I remember going to the Golden Eagle in Hill Street in the late 50's/early 60's - was there a jazz club held there?

Judy
 
judy39 said:
Looks as though it was a posh do at the West End that night Phil. Do you know what year that photo was taken?

Judy
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Judy,

I'm sorry I dont, but looking at the photo, I would assume before the mid 50's and any time back to the mid 30's.

Phil
 
Hi fellow nightclubbers

I remember the West End and the lunch time dances. The cinema was next door to it. The floor was maple sprung and you use to bounce up and down when you stood on the edge watching others dance!

Denny Laine and Diplomats, a blast from the past. Remember Carl Wayne. Don't forget Muff Winwood and the brilliant Spence Davis Group.

Did we have some amazing bands to see and dance to.

Met quite a few of them, but it makes you fell so much older when you see some of them now. You forget you are getting older yourself. But who cares, DANCE ON!

Kind Regards to all

Chris:)
 
Judy,

There might have been a jazz club there. I only knew The Golden Eagle for The Rhythm and Blues Club. Suspect someone else will know.

Ann
 
Yes that looks about the time frame Phil. It looks as though it might have been a special occasion on that night.

Judy
 
Thanks Ann. I can't remember what I was doing at the Golden Eagle so not sure if it was a jazz club, but thought you might know. I don't remember a Rhythm & Blues Club but it might have been before that.

Judy
 
In the late fifties, I went o a jazz club in a room upstairs in an old pub on a corner. Can't remember exactly where, but it was not far from the Midland Red bus depot. It was called the Swingshift. Could this be the one?
 
I must sound ancient - Ballroom dancing the Casino, the Palace, Masonic Hall both in Erdington and the New Crown and Cushion Perry Barr. I could roll back the years quite easily for I had the time of my life. . .
 
Gee Gee Jean said:
Thanks Mossy. I knew the road pass it when I visit my sons house at the top of Dias. Steve [my son] lives opposite Atlantic. My brain cells were asleep last night. When I was a teenager I never idolised anyone. Saw the likes of Marian Faithfull etc at the Plaza Handsworth. The Carlton was my favourite place as it was smaller than most clubs and you met more or less the same people every week. Bye. Jean.
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I sold this for hundreds of pounds a few years ago, just shows you should never throw anything away!!View attachment 15411
 
Seeing Freddie Cannon at the bottom of your poster pic anna60 made me remember this:[ame="https://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=GYDSFKLu-TA"]YouTube - Freddy Cannon - Palisades Park[/ame]
 
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