RE: THE CLUBS AND BANDS OF BIRMINGHAM. SHARE YOUR MEMORIES WITH US HERE - 3

As John says, even in my younger days I was never that interested in who was on stage. What was behind the bar always interested me more. The only time that I went near the dance floor was when I was dragged on by some young mystery and the clubs were always full of them looking for somewhere to spend the night after the clubs closed.

Phil

Posted by signman

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I went in there once SB,can't think for the life of me what it was called,was it the Castaways ?.
I'm like Phil I only used dens of iniquity,I was never a dancer, just a drinker, my two hot spots were the Garryowen and the Dolls Club.

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Thanks John but The Castaways was on Bradford Street I think

Yes I stand corrected SB.

SB

The Surfside Stop was again after my time, wasn't it in the wonderful old terra cotta building on the corner of Constitution Hill and Summer Lane? I did hear talk of a club in there upstairs at one time. Not that I ever went there or can remember a name either.

It would have been too far out of town for me anyway. If I couldn't walk there in 10 minutes from the Crown then I didn't go there.

Phil

The Penthouse.
THIS LINK WILL ANSWER MOST OF OUR QUERIES.

http://www.retrowow.co.uk/retro_britain/...ingham_60s.html

Without a doubt the club that I spent most of my weekends at during the mid 60's until about 1967 would have been the Ringway. Friday, Saturday & Sunday were a must because they had live groups. I don't know how as there was hardly room to swing a cat.

Never much trouble there either because they had real bouncers on the doors, the type that would just throw you down the stairs and into the street without a second thought.

The midweek entertainment was usually just a disco, but it didn't get any less packed. I'm just trying to think how much it was to get in, I'm sure it was free during the week and about 5 bob at weekends.

The photo is of a local group "Todays Post" appearing at the Ringway to be honest I've never heard of them, they must have sunk into oblivion.

Phil

Dont think I ever paid more than half a crown any night.

Lynne

You may be right, the memory is hazy about small details I could swear it was 5 bob though on the nights that they had groups. I mean they had to pay them about a tenner didn't they?

Phil

Posted by signman

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The Penthouse.
THIS LINK WILL ANSWER MOST OF OUR QUERIES.

http://www.retrowow.co.uk/retro_britain/...ingham_60s.html

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Thanks John The Penthouse Club, I'll have a look at that link when I get home.

Phil, we only paid 5 bob to see Bill Haley at the Plaza, Handsworth. Maybe you went to better dives than us.

Lynne

I'm talking about the 60's not the 50's I think I saw Bill Haley at the Town Hall not exactly what you would call a night club, but it was a good venue and I saw some great bands there. The atmosphere was great especially at the all nighters.

Phil

Posted by phil

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Lynne

You may be right, the memory is hazy about small details I could swear it was 5 bob though on the nights that they had groups. I mean they had to pay them about a tenner didn't they?

Phil

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Phil some bands didn't get paid at all. In some of the better venues usually with tight managers, bands would play for free even for a week. That way they could use it for experience and a reference when they went after other gigs.
The Marquee in london was a good one for that in the 60s.

Phil that was the early sixties, I was too young to see him in the fifties. I do agree about the Town Hall though, I saw Little Richard and loads of others there, great place.

Has anyone been in The Town Hall since it was restored. It really is a nice job.

One club I used to like in the 60s was on the side of The Silver Blades Ice Rink, you went up to the ramp to The Heartbeat, it was a great little cub, the membership card was a passport. I celebrated my 17th birthday there, I lied about my age. It is of course the only lie I have ever told, except maybe this one!