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Birmingham Nightclubs of the Past - Memories

  • Thread starter Thread starter mazbeth
  • Start date Start date
lydfordcastle said:
I also remember Brum's best ever nightspot that nobody's mentioned yet - the Opposite Lock, where too many scotch and canada drys meant you got very wet in the cut if you weren't careful.
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Yes , I've profiled The Opposite Lock on our forum,
and it makes for an interesting read.
 
Sorry pressed the wrong button, I hope folks don't think I am uping my post count:P, as I said these 2 from inside The Cedar Club 1968
 
Inside the Ritz, York Road, Kings Heath aprox 1963. The wallpaper was unforgetable, I wonder which one of the Regan's picked it?:cry:
 
The Moat House, Moat Lane almost opposite the outdoor market, was run by Rob Pryke of Banana fame and was at the top of a very steep wooden staircase the width of 1 person if you looked dodgy, drunk etc no way would you be admitted, i saw the M&B`circa 1964/5 s later to be named The Moody Blues, i was`nt impressed but Rob was sure that they would become very good, was i wrong YES!. Len.
 
Len, I also used to go to the Moat House Club in Moat Lane, and remember very well the steep staircase up to it. I particularly remember this as my sister tripped up the stairs one night and landed in an embarrassing position. :D I still remind her of it to this day!
 
lencops said:
The Moat House, Moat Lane almost opposite the outdoor market, was run by Rob Pryke of Banana fame and was at the top of a very steep wooden staircase the width of 1 person if you looked dodgy, drunk etc no way would you be admitted, i saw the M&B`circa 1964/5 s later to be named The Moody Blues, i was`nt impressed but Rob was sure that they would become very good, was i wrong YES!. Len.
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I believe this is where Norrie Paramour,
held a showcase and selected several bands to record for the
Columbia label.
The group.Carl Barron and The Cheetahs
big chance for fame came in June of 1963
when they were auditioned
and signed by Norrie Paramour to a
Columbia Records recording contract.
Click to expand...
and there were many more, and some of their recordings
appeared on a compilation album Brum Beat released in the 60's

Relating to The Moody Blues, this is from Brum Beat

A chance meeting with Ray Thomas and Mike Pinder at the Moathouse Club resulted in the formation of a new group, although Danny King had by this time lost interest. A plan was put in place to gain sponsorship from the Mitchells & Butlers brewery, so the name M&B Five was adopted, but the company was not interested so the initials were adapted to represent "Moody" and "Blues
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Lencops,
Have you any more details or photos? regarding The Moat House

Thanks
 
I have never been a card player but was paid good dough to look after a man who plyed Chemi De Fer in The Moathouse twice a week. He played Blackjack in the Rainbow on another two night per week.
 
ethanedwards said:
Bob, I agree with Wendy, great photos,
and history captured on film.
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Ethan
do you recognize one of the guys in the color photo was a part owner in "The Holly City Zoo" which was under the railway lines of Snow Hill Stn. Along with Andy Grey the Villa & Wolves striker in the 70's
 
Bobby i used that place when the great Frank Worthington along with Andy Grey i think they went into partnership

Mossy
 
ethanedwards, Sorry no photos you did not carry cameras they were to big, not like the digital ones of now, we would go there after dancing else were and the bar closed, i saw other groups Denny Laine & The Diplomats, ? & The Pirates and others i can`t remember, it was always wall 2 wall with clubbers, beer price was reasonable you could have 2 pint jug to share with your friends, gambling went on in a back room illegal of course, i saw obvious bookies from the dog track racing on a Sat night pull out rolls of banknotes big enough to choke a horse!, Rob had a 2 am bar licence unless you got locked in, ooOPs! very pleased, any trouble was soon snuffed out nobody wanted to end up at the bottom of the stairs in a heap, the decoration was pop posters and beer adverts stuck on the walls, i will try and remember more but it was 46 yrs ago + or - a year or 2, hope a senior citizens memories are of help to you. Len.
 
Mossy said:
Bobby i used that place when the great Frank Worthington along with Andy Grey i think they went into partnership

Mossy
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Weren't they partners of Flints Wine Bar in Mere Green. I had an invitation to the opening as I worked at the hairdressers round the corner. Sadly I couldn't go. Although one of the girls I worked with had a birthday party at the Italian Restaurant and the Villa team came. She told me her Dad was on the Villa board. I think this was late 70's
 
bobsummers said:
Ethan
do you recognize one of the guys in the color photo was part owner of "The Holy City Zoo" along with Villa & Wolves striker Andy Grey in the 70's?
P
Click to expand...

Bob, Would I be correct in thinking,
that this was at one time 'Le Metro'?

Further to my previous post,
here is some more information about The Moat House.

In June of 1963, Cliff Richard & Shadows producer
Norrie Paramour came up to Birmingham
to audition local beat groups at the Moat House Club in the Bull Ring.
Of the 13 bands that had been recommended,
five of them were signed-up by Paramour to the Columbia Records label.
Amongst them were previously mentioned.
Carl Barron and The Cheetahs.
Mike Sheridan & The Nightriders,
Keith Powell and The Valets, were two others
.At last we're piecing together information about a club,
that was very important to the development of Brum Beat in the 60's.

Wish we just had some photographs?

I will now post a thread on my Forum,
and will include and credit you all
for your superb information.

Many Thanks,
ethanedwards aka Velvett Fogg,
Administrator
Unsigned City
 
I have never seen anything written about Mick Owen he was a roadie come manager in the 70's. He was well known within the Birmingham music scene. A friend of ours in Australia kept in touch with him and his wife and told us about 4 years ago of his early death from cancer. He said at the time he was working as Bob Geldolf's tour manager. I wonder if anyone remembers him. In those days he had a mass of wild hair.
 
Ethan - Thanks for the link, although I'm not sure my sister would be pleased that I told everyone about her tripping up on the stairs at the Moat House - No, I tell a lie, she would probably laugh about it!!

I used to go to the Moat House around 1962. I can't remember what music was being played, or who was playing there, but it was often live music, but just enjoyed the club. Used to go on there from other places, often after the Locarno had finished. We used to meet up with many pals there, often players from Aston Villa and Birmingham City Football Clubs who we knew well. It was the 'In Place' to be in those days.

By the way it is Judy not June!

Judy
 
ethanedwards said:
Bob, Would I be correct in thinking,
that this was at one time 'Le Metro'?

Ethan & Mossey

yes the "Zoo" was the old "Le Metro" and the three owners where Andy Gray, Peter Warren (Who managed many Bars in town inc. Hortze Wine Bar), and Jonnie Ralston ( he is the guy in the photo top right).
The manager of the "Z00" was Duncan Gray (Andy's younger brother)
It was a lively place while it lasted with many "C" local celebs in attendance. They did have Live bands at weekends but I can't pin point any as they seemed to be young up and coming bands from around the Midlands.
We all played football on a Sunday morning for the Stone Pub in Northfield, where the owners drank with there townie old pals, we had some great times together and Andy used to come to our games with his big dogs and was one of the guys, a fan and supporter of us townie geezers.
In the photo Jonnie Ralston is 3 in left of back row and Peter Warren is 3 in right back row. Duncan Gray is in the middle bottom row 3 in from right.Yours truly had at that time Fly away hair, its completely flown now, bottom row 2 in from the left. Also on the photo is Melvin Such ( Blue Film Artist) and Keith Dunkley RIP who was Sales manager of Ansell's Brewery. The 2 dudes each side of Duncan Gray.
Also Dorian Walford(top Left) renown base guitar player and a great right full back, and Lennie Cash top brumie snooker player and cultured center back.Middle Top. Peter Evans ex Mng. of the B'ham Saturday Hospital Fund is next to Peter,s Dad Reg with the cives on, a right good man and a ex football league referee.


It closed due to bankruptcy, I don't know if its still used as a club today?
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Another few venues, where very little information is available.

The Locarno, La Dolce Vita, Rainbow Suite,
Midnight City

anyone have anything on these?
 
I use to go to the Rum Runner, Locarno, Whisky Ago Go, Elbow Room and the old Atlas Club in Stetchford. West End ballroom and picture house were also good. Think it was the Night Out? The one that became the Hummingbird opposite what was ToysRUs? They use to have a band and disco there. Have photo of me and some friends on a hen night in there. Met a fella called Roger there, he was gorgous, I wonder what happened to him?

Happy days, good fun, good music and barcardi and coke!!
 
Christina a girl after me own heart..........I remember most of them and still love Bacardi and Coke in a long glass! Any chance you can post the photo we love em on here.
 
I remember one particular night at the La Dolce Vita going up the stairs I bumped into Georgie Fame he was with Billy Wright of wolves He was dressed a bit like Bud Flanagan but George did apologise for bumping into me Although I think it was the other way round nice man great talent:cool:
 
did any body go to the roller rink in summer lane and go on in the speed session 1968
 
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