A former night club on Westside is to be recognised for its outstanding contribution to the Birmingham music scene.
The legendary Rum Runner club on Broad Street is recognised for giving birth to iconic ‘80s pop band Duran Duran, fronted by Simon le Bon.
Sadly, the club was demolished in 1987 to make way for the Hyatt Hotel, but the Birmingham Civic Society is now to honour its memory with a Blue Plaque, to be unveiled on the site where it once stood.
The Rum Runner was opened in 1964 by the Berrow family and later remodelled on the famous Studio 54 in New York by brothers Paul and Michael Berrow in the ‘70s.
The club developed a reputation as a late-night venue for bands to visit, including Black Sabbath, while fellow rock group Magnum had a residency there in the 1970s.
Duran Duran, who were managed by Paul and Michael Berrow, initially worked and rehearsed at The Rum Runner in 1979 and 1980.
After achieving international success, they returned to the club to film the music video for their hit single, ‘Planet Earth’. The Beat also filmed their video for single ‘Mirror In The Bathroom’ there.
The club also offered free rehearsal space to bands like UB40 and Dexy’s Midnight Runners, while also staging live gigs.
Jez Collins of the Birmingham Music Archive said: “It’s fantastic that the Rum Runner is being recognised with a Blue Plaque from the Birmingham Civic Society, following on from the award for the DJ Tony De Vit.
“This award is a brilliant end to a fantastic year for Birmingham and its music culture. We’ve had the incredible Commonwealth Games Opening and Closing Ceremonies that highlighted the city’s amazing music, which Duran Duran performed at.
“They have also been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame alongside fellow Brummies and Black Country legends Judas Priest.”
The Blue Plaque will be unveiled on the site of the Rum Runner Club, which lies between Walkabout and The Soloman Cutler.
Birmingham Civic Society is a charitable organisation that has championed civic pride and worked to make Birmingham a better place for its citizens, visitors and workforce. It also recognises Birmingham’s heritage through its Blue Plaques. For more information, visit www.birminghamcivicsociety.org.uk
Birmingham Music Archive is a creative and cultural arts organisation that captures, documents, preserves and celebrates Birmingham’s musical history, heritage and culture
Pictures: All archive photos © @Birmingham_81
