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Birmingham Town Hall

paul stacey said:
My favorite singer "Buddy Holly", so sad as kid when he died, loved his music, still do, spent at least 3/- every week on juke box!! Sad old man now ....
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There is a group in Nashville that plays Buddy Holly and the Crickets songs and music. They sound very much like them and dress the same. Great to listen to and watch!
Ditto ditto on the sad old man :cool:
 
Such an iconic building, which seemed to always have been with me as a child, and youth, I remember in the late 50's waiting across the road for my bus, in the evening, and watching the gas lamps being lit, by a chap with a little A frame ladder, always looked so imposing!!
 
Looks like there were plenty of buses stopped over the road Paul.

Looking closer at the photo in post #45 the sandbags aren't around Queen Vic. Wonder why they were there then ? Viv.
 
I must say as a kid of 13, 14 I loved Buddy Holly, spent a fortune at the Juke box , with "Peggy Sue, and Slippin and a slidin"!!!
 
“In fact, it is likely that Birmingham Town Hall was the first town hall in England to have an organ. Architectural historian Mark Girouard suggests that, through the example set by Birmingham Town Hall, an organ became an essential status symbol for all similar buildings" 36 This instrument was to set a precedent and pave the way for the magnificent instruments of later in the century in such town halls as Leeds and Manchester.”

(Music and Institutions in nineteenth-century Britain. Publication date 2012)
 
Great photos, of an Iconic structure, with so much history to Birmingham, as a lad I walked many times through those arcades, and coulombs, to cross over the road to wait for the number 12 bus , some evenings in winter as I waited, I watched, the gas lamp lighter, with his little "A" frame ladder illuminating the exterior of the town hall, happy days !!
 
I posted these on other threads, but the stereoscope view shows a very fine row of gas lamps alongside the Town Hall colonnade. Hopefully the lamps were made in Brum. I think the lovely shades must have been replaced by the time of post #57 photos.

Screenshot_20240318_143527_Samsung Internet.jpgScreenshot_20240318_143446_Samsung Internet.jpg
 
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I do believe that both Charles Darwin, and Charles Dickens, both appeared at the TOWN HALL, Richard. How I would have loved to have been able to see them.!!
 
Sorry I dont have photos, only memories.
As an apprentice electrician for Birmingham Council, I worked in the Town Hall for a brief period. That opened the door to operating the spotlights for many many acts, between 1969 and about 1974 I think, the list is way too long and would probably bore you all. After that I took tickets on the door.
One night Robert Plant came in, he hadn't got a ticket. The manager was in the foyer observing. So, i had to stop him coming in. He uttered the immortal words, "dont you know who I am, I'm with the band". He wasnt because it was Delaney and Bonnie that night, and Mr Plant was a hero of mine. Anyroadup, I had to send him outside to "A" Door (for artists), and it was raining. He was not happy, and he wasnt my hero anymore.

Always be nice to people, especially those not as fortunate as yourself......you get wet hair then:)

I remember Wednesday dinner times, George Thorden Ball(I think thats right) would give a free organ recital. Lots of interest in the winter for the poor people who lived rough. It was nice and warm in there.
:)
 
boilerman said:
Sorry I dont have photos, only memories.
As an apprentice electrician for Birmingham Council, I worked in the Town Hall for a brief period. That opened the door to operating the spotlights for many many acts, between 1969 and about 1974 I think, the list is way too long and would probably bore you all. After that I took tickets on the door.
One night Robert Plant came in, he hadn't got a ticket. The manager was in the foyer observing. So, i had to stop him coming in. He uttered the immortal words, "dont you know who I am, I'm with the band". He wasnt because it was Delaney and Bonnie that night, and Mr Plant was a hero of mine. Anyroadup, I had to send him outside to "A" Door (for artists), and it was raining. He was not happy, and he wasnt my hero anymore.

Always be nice to people, especially those not as fortunate as yourself......you get wet hair then:)

I remember Wednesday dinner times, George Thorden Ball(I think thats right) would give a free organ recital. Lots of interest in the winter for the poor people who lived rough. It was nice and warm in there.
:)
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smashing memories keep them coming..cheers

lyn
 
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