Birmingham of Yesterday
Reminiscences, observations and information about the history of Birmingham, its people and industry.
The Rotunda
Whilst the foreground today is totally unrecognisable from the 1978 postcard view above following the redevelopment of the Bull Ring Shopping Centre completed in 2003, the iconic Rotunda dominates the skyline to this day with its unique cylindrical construction proving one of, if not the only, enduring remnants of the 1960s redevelopment of the City.
Designed [...]
Shy
Shy emerged from Brum band Trojan during the early 1980s and featured Tony Mills (vocals), Steve Harris (guitar), Andy Kelly (drums), Paddy McKenna (keyboards) and Roy Davis (bass) who replaced original bass player Mark Badrick. Playing a brand of 80s synth-led commercial rock the band gained a reasonable following and released a couple of albums [...]
Birmingham Central Library – Chamberlain Square
With its £193m replacement being constructed a mere few hundred yards away, the present incarnation (the third in total) seen above of Birmingham’s much-maligned Central Library’s days are numbered. Designed by Moseley-born architect John Madin and completed in 1974 the structure aesthetically has somewhat divided opinion with attempts being made in recent years to [...]
Gangsters – BBC Television Series
Set in a period of heavy economic decline and large-scale urban regeneration, Gangsters originally began life as a BBC Play For Today broadcast 9th January 1975 focusing on the interrelations between an ex convict, a family of underworld brothers in the nightclub entertainment industry of Birmingham, an Asian ‘godfather’ and West Indian crime gang. [...]
The Barrel Organ – Digbeth
The Barrel Organ and was a flourishing indie/alternative gig venue and drinking hole during the 1980s and early 1990s located in Digbeth.
The Institute Night Club – Digbeth
The Institute night club in Digbeth opened in the summer of 1990 with big ideas of revolutionising Birmingham club life and majorly failed to live-up to expectations falling into administration within a mere 12 months of opening.
Mega’s Wine Bar – Old Square / Priory Queensway
Whilst The Railway, the Barrell Organ and Edward’s Number 8 are frequently cited and recalled as prime examples of the local gig ‘industry’ back in the day, one venue appears to have slipped from the radar; Mega’s Wine Bar on Old Square.
The Old Railway – Curzon Street
The Old Railway pub in Curzon Street played host to a vast number of gigs during its two periods in operation and was a mainstay of the Birmingham music scene over several decades.
Alpha Tower – Broad Street
The 200,000 sq ft of office space contained within Alpha Tower opened in 1973 and formed part of the hub of the ATV television network adjoining their ATV Centre studios on Broad Street in the centre of Birmingham.
ATV Centre Television Studios – Broad Street
As those with a good memory will recall, ITV’s output in the Midlands was once provided by ATV (Associated Television Ltd) from 1956 until 1982 and in 1969 ATV commissioned the construction of the purpose built ATV Centre studio complex on Broad Street in central Birmingham.
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