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| The '''Rum Runner nightclub''' was opened on ] in the city centre in 1964. It was demolished in 1987 to make way for the Hyatt Hotel. | The '''Rum Runner nightclub''' was opened on ] in the city centre in 1964. It was demolished in 1987 to make way for the Hyatt Hotel.<ref name="birminghammail">{{cite news | url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/whats-on/music/slung-ozzy-osbourne-out-club-3414298 | title=I slung Ozzy Osbourne out of my club for looking scruffy, says former Rum Runner boss | work=] | date=May 06, 2013 | accessdate=24 August 2014 | author=Steve Bradley}}</ref> | ||
| One of the first 'house' bands, playing the cover versions of the day, became ] featuring ] and ]. They left the club in 1975 to play their own material of melodic rock. Occasionally other live acts played such as Quill and Jigsaw. | One of the first 'house' bands, playing the cover versions of the day, became ] featuring ] and ].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.birminghammusicarchive.com/magnum/ | title=Magnum | accessdate=24 August 2014}}</ref> They left the club in 1975 to play their own material of melodic rock. Occasionally other live acts played such as Quill and Jigsaw.<ref name="birminghammail" /> | ||
| Regular late night clientele were Black Sabbath, Roy Wood, Bandylegs, Quartz and other notable Birmingham bands calling in after local gigs before going on to the legendary 'greasy spoon', across the road in Broad Street 'The Tow Rope'. Also there were many visits from actors and staff from the close by Central TV studios where Crossroads and The Golden Shot series were recorded. | Regular late night clientele were Black Sabbath, Roy Wood, Bandylegs, Quartz and other notable Birmingham bands calling in after local gigs before going on to the legendary 'greasy spoon', across the road in Broad Street 'The Tow Rope'. Also there were many visits from actors and staff from the close by Central TV studios where Crossroads and The Golden Shot series were recorded. | ||
| Record shop owner (RGS Records Walsall) DJ Paul Anthony was resident DJ from 1974 until 1981 before moving on to Liberty's nightclub on the Hagley Road. Working six nights a week the music policy was basic funk/soul/disco, soft rock and top 40, an eclectic formula which worked very well. The highlight of the week was the Saturday 'Crazy Night' where lots of crazy party games and stunts were participated in and on the stage and dancefloor which involved copious amounts of crazy foam, ice cold water, soda syphons, flour and spray string. 'The Dying Fly' from TV's TISWAS was a firm favourite. Subtle it wasn't. | Record shop owner (RGS Records Walsall) DJ Paul Anthony was resident DJ from 1974 until 1981 before moving on to Liberty's nightclub on the Hagley Road.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.mobile-dj-hire.com.au/wedding-dj-phuket | title=DJ Paul Anthony - Resident DJ of Famous Nightclub Phuket | accessdate=24 August 2014}}</ref> Working six nights a week the music policy was basic funk/soul/disco, soft rock and top 40, an eclectic formula which worked very well. The highlight of the week was the Saturday 'Crazy Night' where lots of crazy party games and stunts were participated in and on the stage and dancefloor which involved copious amounts of crazy foam, ice cold water, soda syphons, flour and spray string. 'The Dying Fly' from TV's TISWAS was a firm favourite. Subtle it wasn't. | ||
| Paul and Michael Berrow, sons of the club's founder, relaunched the club in the late 1970s after visiting ] in ]. They borrowed some of 54's flashy look: mirror flex, pink neon flashes, moving lights and palm trees, as well as its eclectic power playlist. Resident DJ Paul Anthony was told to throw away his microphone concentrate on New York style disco mixing, the technique of synchronising the beats per minute (bpm's) of one record into another.This is how Paul Anthony became Birminghams first New York style mixing DJ. ] and ] nights were accompanied by ] ] nights with DJs ] and Dave Till which were strongly influenced by New York's ] power ]. | Paul and Michael Berrow, sons of the club's founder, relaunched the club in the late 1970s after visiting ] in ]. They borrowed some of 54's flashy look: mirror flex, pink neon flashes, moving lights and palm trees, as well as its eclectic power playlist. Resident DJ Paul Anthony was told to throw away his microphone concentrate on New York style disco mixing, the technique of synchronising the beats per minute (bpm's) of one record into another.This is how Paul Anthony became Birminghams first New York style mixing DJ. ] and ] nights were accompanied by ] ] nights with DJs ] and Dave Till which were strongly influenced by New York's ] power ]. | ||
| A real milestone in the history of the Rum Runner was when a newly formed group of musicians called ] brought in a demo tape. There was an instant mutual appeal between the Berrows and the band, and the Berrows offered Duran Duran a place to rehearse and play gigs. The band found themselves becoming heavily involved with the running of the club with ] working as a glass collector, ] polishing mirrors, painting and cooking burgers for cash, ] working the door, and ] deejaying for £10 a night. Duran Duran became the resident band at the club, going on to play venues and arenas all over the world, including a 1983 ]. After this event they held a "homecoming" party at the Rum Runner.<ref></ref> In 2006 John Taylor and Nick Rhodes released a compilation album entitled '']'', featuring their favorite songs from the Rum Runner playlist.<ref>"", ''The Telegraph''</ref> | A real milestone in the history of the Rum Runner was when a newly formed group of musicians called ] brought in a demo tape. There was an instant mutual appeal between the Berrows and the band, and the Berrows offered Duran Duran a place to rehearse and play gigs. The band found themselves becoming heavily involved with the running of the club with ] working as a glass collector, ] polishing mirrors, painting and cooking burgers for cash, ] working the door, and ] deejaying for £10 a night.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/whats-on/music/remembering-nights-birmingham-club-rum-22468 | title=Remembering nights at Birmingham club the Rum Runner | work=Birmingham Mail | date=May 12, 2006 | accessdate=24 August 2014}}</ref> Duran Duran became the resident band at the club, going on to play venues and arenas all over the world, including a 1983 ]. After this event they held a "homecoming" party at the Rum Runner.<ref></ref> In 2006 John Taylor and Nick Rhodes released a compilation album entitled '']'', featuring their favorite songs from the Rum Runner playlist.<ref>"", ''The Telegraph''</ref> | ||
| After many months, Michael and Paul Berrow signed as Duran Duran's managers. The Berrows and the band then formed the ] company (named after the triangular-themed bar inside the club). The label used the Rum Runner office upstairs from the club as its official address. Michael mortgaged his house to make funds for their supporting act roll for ]'s UK tour. | After many months, Michael and Paul Berrow signed as Duran Duran's managers. The Berrows and the band then formed the ] company (named after the triangular-themed bar inside the club). The label used the Rum Runner office upstairs from the club as its official address. Michael mortgaged his house to make funds for their supporting act roll for ]'s UK tour. | ||
Revision as of 16:27, 24 August 2014
52°28′41″N 1°54′39″W / 52.47794°N 1.91073°W / 52.47794; -1.91073
The Rum Runner nightclub was opened on Broad Street, Birmingham in the city centre in 1964. It was demolished in 1987 to make way for the Hyatt Hotel.
One of the first 'house' bands, playing the cover versions of the day, became Magnum featuring Bob Catley and Tony Clarkin. They left the club in 1975 to play their own material of melodic rock. Occasionally other live acts played such as Quill and Jigsaw.
Regular late night clientele were Black Sabbath, Roy Wood, Bandylegs, Quartz and other notable Birmingham bands calling in after local gigs before going on to the legendary 'greasy spoon', across the road in Broad Street 'The Tow Rope'. Also there were many visits from actors and staff from the close by Central TV studios where Crossroads and The Golden Shot series were recorded.
Record shop owner (RGS Records Walsall) DJ Paul Anthony was resident DJ from 1974 until 1981 before moving on to Liberty's nightclub on the Hagley Road. Working six nights a week the music policy was basic funk/soul/disco, soft rock and top 40, an eclectic formula which worked very well. The highlight of the week was the Saturday 'Crazy Night' where lots of crazy party games and stunts were participated in and on the stage and dancefloor which involved copious amounts of crazy foam, ice cold water, soda syphons, flour and spray string. 'The Dying Fly' from TV's TISWAS was a firm favourite. Subtle it wasn't.
Paul and Michael Berrow, sons of the club's founder, relaunched the club in the late 1970s after visiting Studio 54 in New York. They borrowed some of 54's flashy look: mirror flex, pink neon flashes, moving lights and palm trees, as well as its eclectic power playlist. Resident DJ Paul Anthony was told to throw away his microphone concentrate on New York style disco mixing, the technique of synchronising the beats per minute (bpm's) of one record into another.This is how Paul Anthony became Birminghams first New York style mixing DJ. Roxy Music and David Bowie nights were accompanied by jazz funk nights with DJs Shaun Williams and Dave Till which were strongly influenced by New York's Chic power disco.
A real milestone in the history of the Rum Runner was when a newly formed group of musicians called Duran Duran brought in a demo tape. There was an instant mutual appeal between the Berrows and the band, and the Berrows offered Duran Duran a place to rehearse and play gigs. The band found themselves becoming heavily involved with the running of the club with Roger Taylor working as a glass collector, Andy Taylor polishing mirrors, painting and cooking burgers for cash, John Taylor working the door, and Nick Rhodes deejaying for £10 a night. Duran Duran became the resident band at the club, going on to play venues and arenas all over the world, including a 1983 charity concert at Villa Park. After this event they held a "homecoming" party at the Rum Runner. In 2006 John Taylor and Nick Rhodes released a compilation album entitled Only After Dark, featuring their favorite songs from the Rum Runner playlist.
After many months, Michael and Paul Berrow signed as Duran Duran's managers. The Berrows and the band then formed the Tritec Music company (named after the triangular-themed bar inside the club). The label used the Rum Runner office upstairs from the club as its official address. Michael mortgaged his house to make funds for their supporting act roll for Hazel O'Connor's UK tour.
In developing the club's musical identity the Berrows also gave free rehearsal space to bands like Dexys Midnight Runners and UB40, with The Beat filming a video for their song "Mirror In The Bathroom" taking full advantage of the many mirrors that walled the club.
As time went by they opened more and more different evenings; one of the residents was DJ Dick who later went on to form Rockers Hi-Fi and who now hosts the city's main Funk Acid Jazz night called Leftfoot, situated at The Medicine Bar.
Notable denizens of the club included De Harriss, Mulligan, and Marlon Recchi of Fashion, Martin Degville and other members of Sigue Sigue Sputnik, fashion designers Kahn & Bell, managers Nigel and Jimmy, bouncer Al Beard, and the socialite Liam.
Ironically, a branch of the 1980s-themed club chain Reflex - named after the Duran Duran hit of the same name - is now situated roughly opposite from the old site of the club (in the former building of The Crown pub).
References
- ^ Steve Bradley (May 06, 2013). "I slung Ozzy Osbourne out of my club for looking scruffy, says former Rum Runner boss". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 24 August 2014.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - "Magnum". Retrieved 24 August 2014.
- "DJ Paul Anthony - Resident DJ of Famous Nightclub Phuket". Retrieved 24 August 2014.
- "Remembering nights at Birmingham club the Rum Runner". Birmingham Mail. May 12, 2006. Retrieved 24 August 2014.
- Duran Duran party at the Rum Runner
- "How we opened the door to the 1980s", The Telegraph
External links
- Rum Runner pages on the Blitz Kids website
- Birminghams industrial history website, including nightclubs