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Tyburn House Entertainment

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DAVE BRICK

Guest
I know its not in Aston,,but, we spent every Sunday night for two years going to Tyburn House. They had a free and easy with two guys on organ and drums. Some fabulous singers got up, one guy who they used to call up last was Ceril. He was as gay as they come and did'nt care who knew it, he had the walk, the talk, the lot. He always brought the house down with his performance.
 
Hi, Dave. I remember the Tyburn House and Cyril. To refer to your comment ‘He was as gay as they come and didn’t care who knew it’. I can remember Cyril often saying ‘I live with my friend, and don’t care who knows it’. I moved to Tamworth in 1980 and have seen Cyril around the town. Sadly (he was a character!) he died a few years ago. Can’t remember the exact date, but it must have been five or so years ago. Apologies for the bad news, but thought you might like to know.
 
Cyril

Cyril often came in the building I work in, in Tamworth. He often wore a little make-up. The man who I think was his partner, or friend is still around Paul?
 
Cyril

Rod said:
Cyril often came in the building I work in, in Tamworth. He often wore a little make-up. The man who I think was his partner, or friend is still around Paul?
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Sorry, Rod. I don't know. Anyway, just as a little bit of memorabilia, I used to go to the Hardy Spicers working men's club in the mid 70's. There was a drag artist on, and when he did his turn, Cyril got up to give us his famous rendition of Carmen Miranda's 'I think your very nice' (yi yi yi yi!). The drag artist had left his fluffy scarf/wrap- not sure what you'd call it- on the stage. Cyril picked it up and started using it as he sang, wrapping it around his neck and flouncing it around. The drag artist was at the bar and saw this. He came down, grabbed the 'thing' off Cyril and told him to get his own props, at which a wonderful argument ensued, all the way back up to the bar!! Nice one, Cyril! Any body else remember this? Perhaps they could fill in the gaps or correct me if my memory has let me down again!
 
8) I remember Cyril too, didn't know that was his name though.
The 'resident' band for Sunday's , lunchtime freebie, and Sunday nights was led by Mal Ford and changed names a couple of times depending on how many current band members there were but normally the Mal Ford something or other. They weren't the best I've ever heard but professional through and through, the performance never wavered whether there were 20 in or 200. Towards the end of the Tyburn House as a music venue Mal started playing more and more , Monday evenings, occasionally Wednesdays and Friday nights too.

Ian.
 
I have some very happy memories of the Tyburn House, dancing there in the early 60's
I can't remember the Licensees name but she was the 1st lady licensee in Brum.......... my friend and I had some terrible run ins with her as we were only 15/16 at the time but all we wanted to do was dance, we only drank lemonade. One night she called the police to us, as it was it was a friend of my Dad. He went mad at me cause he knew my folks would go balastic if they knew where I was.
We stood there crying and said all we wanted to do was dance.. there was no where else for us to go. In the end an appointment was made for us to visit Erdington police station with our respective parents for a meeting with the Superintendant, the licensee and us.
The outcome was that we were allowed into the dance on certain nights and we had to sign a charter promising not to drink and to behave ourselves. If at any time we broke our aggreement he (the super) would make sure we never set foot in any pub in his district ever again ha ha. needless to say we behaved ourselves.
Saw some fantastic groups El Riot & the Rebels( the Moody Blues). Carl Wayne & The Vikings (The Move) Danny King & The Royals, Raymond Frogget, Mike Sherridan and the Night Riders to name but a few!
 
Jude, glad see see you have taste I frequented the Tyburn quite a lot to see my mate Raymond Froggatt who like me grew up in the backstreets of Brum and lost his father in the war ..a wiser man I have yet to meet with his way with words through being pushed from pillar to post and growing up with folk who would bite your face off for the cast off shoe of a British Railway horse (his words)
He has wrote hits for most of our recording stars
Here are 3 photo's I took of Ray in the Tyburn House on Sunday nights having a ball
 
Hi Cromwell, yes in this instance it really is a case of "The good old days" How many of the Brummie bands started their days off in The Tyburn house I wonder?
 
When I can sort the info out I will put a few names up and it will amazed a few people, old Ray used to go to school just up the road at Paget Rd School and not bad for a Brummie to record with the Jordanaires (Elvis's Backing Group) I have the LP
 
Paget

jude said:
That was the same school I went to Paget Rd.
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And me- juniors, anyway. I lived a few doors down in Varley Road, 1957-1980.

As for Ray Froggat, I thought he was a great C & W singer. 'White pearl handled gun' comes to mind. Wally Whytton played his songs more than once on Radio 2's C & W show, Thursday nights. My dad reckonded we were related to the Froggats and mentioned Ray as a performer long before I had heard of him. Don't know how true it is, but don't see any reason for him to lie about it.
 
Thanks for the info on Raymond Froggatt. He was in my class at Marsh Hill
Junior School in the early years l947 onwards. I had no clue until last year when I came across his name and ran him through Google, that he was an accomplish singer and well followed artist. That's great to read.
 
Di there was a Raymond Froggett in the Ridgeway not far from us I've always wondered as Middle aged couple in our Village were Mad on him used to travel everywhere to see him Stickers etc in their Car, sadly her Husband died a couple of years ago.
 
To quote Ray from his book RAYMOND Who? "My home in Kingstanding where I lived with my four brothers and sister and her husband and my mother"
His mother was widowed during WW2 and he had to live in various lodgings with his brother Jim and Sister Jean.
His long time great mate H.Cain lived in Mansfield Rd Aston
He always said this area is my home after playing at the Tyburn
The first school Ray attended was Paget Rd and when his ma remarried he went to live at 2 Anerley Grove Kingstanding, after that it was 97 Cooksey Lane and 534 Kings Rd.
The schools were Anerley Grove - Kingland Juniors then Aldridge Comp. and Kingsrise Seniors
Another little known fact about old Froggie is when the City was celebrating its 100 year birthday of the City of Birmingham the city awarded 100 people who contributed to its fame
Raymond Froggatt his mate Johnnie Prescott and Pat Roach (the Three Musketeers as Roach called them ) their names are printed in Gold on Roll Of Honour in the Council Chambers
Rays father was ABA Bantam Weight Champion of Great Britain and his uncle was Joe Froggatt British European and Lightweight Champion.
Ray used to box for Fishers Boxing Club as he took up boxing at the age of 14 but not for very long
Ray was like me a bit of a tearaway in his youth but thats another story.
I worked at a place called "Artspray" opposite green Lane Swimming Baths ..Bernard Hastie's was at the front where Ray worked...Artspray was at the back it taught me a lot in life and I know being a lagger taught Ray a lot....its quite amazing how you go through life and you know at what point it changed.........Proud to have known Froggie and all the good times at the Tyburn and I can say hand on heart ....That Guy influenced my life
 
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Hi Crommie: Thanks for that special piece about Raymond Froggatt. I
am sure he attended Marsh Hill Junior School for a short time because how else would I remember the name. I suppose it could have been one of his brothers but I only remember Raymond.
 
In the Birmingham Evening Mail, Monday 16th October, is a letter from a Dennis Froggatt, Erdington, regarding the show "Brum Rocks" at the reopened Town Hall, I wonder if it is one of Ray's brothers?
 
Re TYBURN HOUSE and MAL FORD

Ian FOFB said:
8) I remember Cyril too, didn't know that was his name though.
The 'resident' band for Sunday's , lunchtime freebie, and Sunday nights was led by Mal Ford and changed names a couple of times depending on how many current band members there were but normally the Mal Ford something or other. They weren't the best I've ever heard but professional through and through, the performance never wavered whether there were 20 in or 200. Towards the end of the Tyburn House as a music venue Mal started playing more and more , Monday evenings, occasionally Wednesdays and Friday nights too.

Ian.
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Hi Mal Ford here,

Great that somebody remembers me and my band at the Tyburn House after all these years. What a great gig and the gaffa's were brilliant - Gordon and Angela Southall and their son Jason. We made alot of friends at The Tyburn.

Prior to The Tyburn House we used to be resident for quite a few years at The Mackadown, and play all the Mitchells and Butlers Roadshows, backing all the acts and doing our own sets. The Tyburn House was the live gig venue to play for any local band or muzo's and my band (usually a six/eight piece) were there pretty regular if not resident. Part of the deal for the gig was to back (accompany) just anybody who wanted to get up and sing. The free'n'easy part of the show was a definate challenge to any muzo and most of the time I think we won (I think?). The laughs we used to have with the singers and punters were mega. Guys like Cyril, Freddie Sale (bought his own Rockin Chair),Chris (Trilby and Macintosh) - the big song was - do you know 'the end is near?' oops sorry I mean 'My Way' ha ha.
I think the first time I played The Tyburn was as a member of Keith Powell and The Valets in the 60's along with Denny Laine and The Diplomats. We also used to play regular at The Mackadown,The Ceder Club,Old Moat House, The Rum Runner,The Ritz, The Plaza (Mr and Mrs Regan venues).

I am in Blackpool now. I get the odd interview on BBC Radio WM and mentioned in that wonderful book 'Brum Rocks', but those days at The Tyburn were rock'n'roll, the stories immense, and if anyone remembers me or any of the band say hi some time.

Cheers all...........Mal Ford
(p.s a prayer for Rod of The Fortunes and ofcourse Carl (Charley) Wayne x)
 
Great memories Mal.

We are discussing on another part of the forum what was the best era to have been born in and it has to be the 40s so that we could enjoy 60s music.

Sad about Rod, a friend of mine is Pauline,widow of Barry Pritchard who co wrote'the Real Thing' whilst with the Fortunes.
 
Brilliant posting Mal, it would be good to hear more of your memories if you wouldn't mind sharing them with us.
 
Memory is a bit vague but I am not sure it was the Tyburn House or the Navigation we used to see Jerry Dorsey now Englbert ...........
He used to come and dance with me and my friend Carol we couldn't stand him we used to say" Look at his big horrible thick lips"
 
Born in the 40's? We were so LUCKY!

Alberta said:
Great memories Mal.

We are discussing on another part of the forum what was the best era to have been born in and it has to be the 40s so that we could enjoy 60s music.

Sad about Rod, a friend of mine is Pauline,widow of Barry Pritchard who co wrote'the Real Thing' whilst with the Fortunes.
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Hi Alberta,

Yes, I think really we were very lucky in a lot of respects for being born in the 40's and witnessing, joining in etc the 50's and 60's. I suppose there is so much to remember (especially in Brum) as far as music,socialising,TV,clothing, are concerned, and certainly all of these were very important to us 60's rock'n'roll merchants, if you know what I mean!

The late 50's I remember been threatened with expulsion at my school (Dame Elizabeth Cadbury School, Bournville) for playing 'See Ya Later Aligator' on the brand new school gand piano. Playing for my first group gig with The Deltas at The Taboo in Stirchley along with The Rocking Berries and Jimmy Powell. I remember making sure, after going to the Saturday afternoon Rock'n'Roll dances at both The West End and The Casino (Corporation Street?) that I got home to watch The 6 5 Special on BBC and O'Boy on ATV - both great shows for the time especially the O'Boy show. In fact, I won (along with, unbeknown to me 100 or so others) a competion in The Sunday Mercury (answering questions on Elvis) the chance to go and see the O'Boy show in London. Brenda Lee,Cliff Richard were some of the guest stars on that occasion. For a black and white only TV show I was amazed at the luminous colours worn by Lord Rockinhams Eleven and all the stars in the studio.

It goes on and on, the joy of playing in a group in the 60's was probably (unbeknown to us at the time) the real time to witness the start of so many successful Brummie individual careers in the music scene. I also remember going to see the movie 'The Girl Can't Help It' never thinking that one day I would be either backing or supporting people like Gene Vincent, Chuck Berry etc, who all starred in the movie.

However, the groups signed by EMI in 1963 - Keith Powell and The Valets (I was in that lot!), Mike Sheriden and The Nightriders, Pat Wayne and The Beechcombers, Danny Duke and The Royals, The Cheetars joined by other well known (at the time) local outfits i.e The Rocking Berries,Carl Wayne and The Vikings,The Modernairs (brilliant band at the time!),El Riot and The Rebels and ofcourse Denny Laine and The Diplomats (blond dyed hair - remember?) all of these groups and more started the 60's music scene in Birmingham and I am so proud to have been part of it.

Great to be born in the 40's? Too right!!!

Cheers...........Mal Ford
 
hey jude her surname was archer a .i used to go to the tyburn house disco every week ...also grab a granny night ,i lived in gunter road road for years ,so the Bagot /Tyburn /Norton were my stamping grounds happy memories .
dgat:grinsmile:
 
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