We've decided to take a look back at Birmingham's most popular nightclubs of the 70s era
Birmingham’s influence on UK music and culture shoudln’t be understated.
Bands like Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin cut their teeth in the city and region before emabarking on hugley successful careers, and many clubs and bars around the city became known for nurturing musical talent.
Many iconic Birmingham nightclubs that are still talked about today opened their doors in the 70s and hosted some of the country’s biggest acts.
For the city as a whole during the decade, Birmingham remained by far Britain’s most prosperous provincial city as late as the 1970s, with household incomes exceeding even those of London and the South East.
Although the city became increasingly dependent on the motor industry before the recession of the early 1980s saw Birmingham’s economy collapse.
But it was also a time when the city’s nightlife developed hugely and grew into an exciting place to be.
We’ve taken a look at 21 of the best nightclubs of the 1970s:
Many iconic Birmingham nightclubs that are still talked about today opened their doors in the 70s and hosted some of the country’s biggest acts.
5. The Crown, Station Street
The Crown pub on Station Street in Birmingham city centre has long been known as where heavy metal was born as Black Sabbath played their first gig there. It aimed to be primarily a Blues music venue, but progressively became host to hard rock and progressive acts during the early 1970s. Thin Lizzy, Status Quo, Stackridge, UFO, Judas Priest and Supertramp have played there amongst others.
6. The Rum Runner Club, Broad Street
The iconic Rum Runner club opened in the 70s. It's known for being the birthplace of Duran Duran in the 80s
7. Barbella's, Cumberland Street
This is now part of the Brindleyplace development of offices and banks. In the 1970s, the was famous for being a regular venue on the Punk Rock circuit. Famed bands like The Clash, Sex Pistols, The Jam, The Ramones have all played there. It used to be known as the place to play for up and coming Birmingham bands.
8. Tower Ballroom, Edgbaston
This venue goes as far back as the 1870s. This was known as a great nightspot but shut down in 2005 to make way for family homes and cafes but that never happened either. The building continued to host boxing, music, and dancing events across the next two decades. By the late 1970s, it was again known as just the Tower Ballroom.
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