Were YOU a regular on Birmingham’s glitzy nightlife scene in the 1970s?
If you were, there’s a good chance that your face is one of hundreds that appear in pictures in a new book called Dirty Stop Out’s Guide to 1970s Birmingham.
Co-authored by rock impresario Jim Simpson and his brother Ron Simpson, the book is due to be officially launched at 7pm on Tuesday 18 October at Velvet Music Rooms, 200 Broad Street, Birmingham.
And if you ARE one of the faces featured in the book, Westside BID will buy you a drink in person on the night.
Mike Olley, general manager of Westside BID, said: “This is a marvellous book that tells the stories behind former Westside clubs like the Rum Runner, which sat on Broad Street from 1964 to 1987, before it closed to make way for the Hyatt Regency Hotel.
“The Opposite Lock nightclub on Gas Street, which went on to become Bobby Brown’s, and Barberella’s, which was once located at 41 Cumberland Street, off Broad Street, are also featured in the book.
“There are fascinating stories and pictures of people dancing the night away, plus fans attending gigs and even beauty shows.
“And as I was leafing through the pages and seeing all those faces looking out at me with huge grins, I thought: ‘Wouldn’t it be great if we could find a few of these people?’
“With the book already on sale, all anyone has to do is pop down to their local bookshop, take a look at the pictures – hopefully buying a copy! – and if they are featured then they can turn up at Velvet on 18 October.
“Not only will they become a part of the book’s launch, we will also be delighted to buy them a drink or cocktail to celebrate their personal picture story!”
The Dirty Stop Out’s Guide to 1970s Birmingham is published by Brewin Books and is available now from all good bookshops at £14.95.
For further information about the book launch on 18 October, please contact Jim Simpson on jim@bigbearmusic.com or 0121 454 7020.
I used to frequent The Romulus Club on Hagley Road and Maximilians at 5 Ways and recall seeing Chris Tarrant and Sally James in the Britannia Hotel on New Street when I worked for the Inland Revenue at Birmingham 16 District in King Edward House New Street in 1979 when we usedvto drink in The Tavern in The Town in the basement of King Edward House. I also used to go to Barbarella’s on Sheepcote Street the Fewtrell’s club and Martin Hone’s Opposite Lock Club and the nightclub in the basement of the King’s Head in Bearwood where I lived attending George Dixon Grammar School for Boys 1969 until the summer of 1976 when I became a student at the University of Birmingham until 1978