The Cedar Club was located on Constitution Hill and is a fondly remembered place where visiting musician who were playing at the Odeon would swing by for impromptu jams. Jimi Hendrix dropped by one night and clambered on stage for a bit of a session!
Opened by Eddie Fewtrell, whose empire in Birmingham, became one of the greatest in club history, and one of the best of it’s kind in the country. Birmingham would definitely not be the place that it is today without Eddie Fewtrell, known as ‘King of Clubs’. From his first club, the Bermuda Club, in Navigation Street,
The Cedar Club, on the corner at the left of the picture
Eddie moved to pastures new, in the form of the Cedar Club, on Constitution Hill
Eddie’s brother Don managed the Cedar Club in Constitution Hill, which ran for 30 years and changed the face of nightlife in Birmingham for good.
The Cedar Club featured many top names, from The Faces, Rod Stewart, Status Quo, and 50’s and 60’s stars such as Duane Eddy and Cat Stevens.
The Cedar was also notable for having probably one of the first DJ’s in the city, by the name of Ted. He was an eccentric character, with a ‘posh’ voice.
One of the first resident bands was Carl Wayne And The Vikings who had just returned to Birmingham from Germany.
In the mid 1960s in Birmingham, the Cedar Club was the place to go and see the “happening” acts. Other local bands who performed there regularly was Danny King and The Mayfair Set and Mike Sheridan and The Nightriders. Various members from these three groups would sometimes get together
on stage for spontaneous jam sessions.
Davy Jones and The Lower Third from London were performing at The Cedar Club one evening late in 1965 and their singer (who would later change his name to David Bowie) mentioned to Trevor Burton from the Mayfair Set and Ace Kefford from The Vikings that they should consider forming their own group,so they did and promptly became The Move.
Compiled by Keith Law
Our aim to build a complete list of gigs at the Cedar Club. Here’s a start but we need your help!
The Toast 27/11/68
Gnidrolog 10 11/07/72
Hackensack 13/07/72
Tea and Symphony 17&18/07/72
Capability Brown 19/07/72
Terry Savage was a DJ at The Cedar Club and he sent this picture of himself, aged 18, dj-ing at the club.
There Are Currently 81 Comments for this Post
New Order played there on 10/4/81
Hi – yes I was there. This was their first tour after Ian Curtis killed himself. I remember people queuing outside (sitting) and playing Joy Division tapes and crying. All very bizzare. Also everyone sat on the floor inside the club so much so it was very difficult to get to the bar!. Musically they were dreadful – the keyboard player kept on getting the songs wrong – probably because they played in virtual darkness.
Got a recording of that gig – smuggled in my ITT tape deck.
A few gigs I remember….some dates are missing
1980
* Monochrome Set. Birmingham. Cedar Club 23/5/80
* Ultravox. Birmingham. Cedar Club 29/5/80
* Echo & The Bunnymen. Birmingham. Cedar Club 19/6/80
* The Pinkies. Birmingham. Cedar Club
* Reluctant Stereotypes. Birmingham. Cedar Club
* Bow Wow Wow. Birmingham. Cedar Club
1981
* The Bureau. Birmingham. Cedar Club
Gigs to add :
Discharge / GBH 13/03/1981
Exploited 09/05/1981
Vice Squad / Chron Gen 30/10/1981
Hope this helps!
drongos for europe
vice squad
ten pole tudor
GBH
exploited
discharge
best club going
These dates are from Birmingham Evening Mail:
1-2 November 1966 – Alvin Robinson & The Motivations (Martin Barre on lead guitar)
3 April 1967 – Ben E King and The Idle Race
11 April 1967 – The Mertons and The Wages of Sin
17 April 1967 – Lulu and The Wages of Sin
I was roadie for a couple of years ( 1968/1969 ) for the Coventry group Ultra Sound.
I worked with them a number of times at the Cedar Club ( or Club Cedar as it was called on the membership card which I still have somewhere). We were there several times, and at least twice between July and December 1969.
I well remember the strict entry policy and the small eye level door within the entrance door through which the bouncers peered before deciding who they would allow in.
Drinks were expensive at 5 shillings (25 new pence) for either a rum and coke or a half of beer. Pints were not served ! A pint in the average pub at that time was around One shilling and ten pence halfpenny (9.37 new pence), around a fifth of the price of two halves at Club Cedar.
Ultravox. Birmingham. Cedar Club 29/5/80
I was at this gig, surprisingly so because I was only 14 and looked even younger. Me and a schoolmate went along on a Saturday afternoon well in advance to buy tickets. Came straight out with it and said to the guy ‘Look, if we buy tickets will we get in on the night?’ The guy said ‘Yeah, because I’ll be on the door.’ Fair play to him, he was and he let us in. First people we passed inside were a group of punkette girls who loudly exclaimed ‘Oh god! They’re ELEVEN!’
This was the first tour Ultravox had taken with Midge Ure replacing John Foxx. Sleepwalk had been released as a single but the Vienna album was over a month away and it was really the last chance to see this band in a small venue (a year later they were doing the Odeon). There were a lot of punks in the audience and they shouted for Young Savage all the way through the gig. Even an 11-year old looking 14-year-old like me could have told them that was never going to happen.
Highlight was probably a stunning version of Hiroshima, Mon Amour but I remember most of it sounding incredibly powerful.
For years afterward people remembered this as the hottest gig ever. It really was intensely hot in there. I remember thinking the ceiling was really low and the condensation was dripping off it.
I remember they were delayed coming from Germany or something so didn’t get on stage until nearly midnight, we were crushed in the crowd for three hours waiting! I remember this massive skinhead, he looked about 6′ 10″,and some beautiful punk girls.
Midge Ure telling a heckler to F off, didn’t really go with the cold and clinical image.
Gutted I didn’t see the Fall, must have been fantastic there.
Do you remember someone shouting out “bring back Foxxy”, Midge Ure replied “Shut it Cunt” …It was a great night…
OMG I’ve just read these exact words in the Touchstone novel. 😂
Went to the Cedar club from the age of 15, in the late 70s.. would go a least 3 to four times a week..Punk rock at its best, as every band you could wish for would play there !
Remember JIm the bouncer, on the door who was a great guy..meet some stars of the future there, and also played with my band a support slot……Best time of my life,,,
Hi Andy B
Interesting to hear you were in a support band in that era
Any chance you have ever heard of a local brum band called Clearwater
The played at The Cedar Club and Rebeccas also The Elbow Room
Hope this finds you well and happy
Yours sincerely Annie C
i was the dj from 1979 till it closed in the early 80s called myself terry james fond times at the cedar club birmingham
working not far away at commercial factors , ike and tina turner+ikettes , the birmingham Don Giles . An whole new world started there . The previous club ,the diamond in vise street , Bomber was on the door. Early 60’s
working not far away at commercial factors , ike and tina turner+ikettes , the birmingham Don Giles . An whole new world started there . The previous club ,the diamond in vise street , Bomber was on the door. Early 60’s
Depeche Mode played here on 23/4/1981.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=355816747863554&set=o.133399453471384&type=1&theater
We run a Depeche mode history group and this link is a picture from that gig.
Depeche Mode showed up carrying their synths in suitcases and had to pause between songs to change over the cassette tapes that their rhythm tracks were recorded on. I think “Dreaming of Me” had just been released (or was, a few weeks later). There were two people dancing (my mate Steven Conway and I) and a bunch of too cool to dance nascent New Romantics. The band themselves sat at the same tables as the audience members. As I recall, Dave Gahan was quite adept at ‘Space Invaders’ as I spent a portion of the evening playing at the machine alongside him. The Facebook link doesn’t seem to work anymore. It’s unfortunate as there’s a fair chance I would have been able to see my 17 year old self at the front of the stage.
I have found a ceramic hammer with the following words:
“Cedar Club” on one side of hammer
Other side: Don’t be a Knocker”
Also engraved in the hammer is: Germany 5887
Any connection with this “Cedar Club”?
The Aupairs were practically resident band at the Cedar club they played so often! They were great though, loved the way they sat drinking in the crowd then just walked on stage – very anti-star. the Slits spent all evening before taking the stage dancing to all the Reggae tunes the DJ played. Punks at the Cedar loved dancing to reggae especially MPLA , and everybody used to go berserk for New Rose, always the last song of the night. I remember missing loads of bands that made it big afterwards cos I decided to order a tray of chips and eat them instead of being attentive, tee hee. The Cramps cancelled at the last minute, I think because Brian Gregory left them, soo pissed off! GBH played at the Cedar before they went all Clay-Records-serious, they used to be a laugh, singing songs like Big Women and Corduroy Bondage Up Yours, which must have been a Brummie punk piss take of Malcolm/Westwood ripoff punk coture. Any bands that were a bit bigger would play Digbeth Civic Hall, the poseurs went to The Holy City Zoo – was that under the snow hill arches? And the punks stayed loyal to the dive that was The Cedar Club, what I’d give to go back in time!
Does any one remember ready steady teddy the dj.he was my uncle
Hi Stewart
I remember ready steady very well it’s not unusual great Character had us in Stitches made tomb jones laugh when he did his impersonation of him my brother loved him.
Kind Regards Roger (Bomber) Fewtrell
Yes Ted did talk about your brother ,he went to school with him ,Ted Taylor ,was one of the first djs in birmingham during that time as it says above , he was also asked if he could dj at one of the krays night clubs but he turned it down , he was good friends with Tom Jones at the ceader club ,but i think he had a falling out one night with some of Tom jones bouncers as they thought he was some one else , Tom did try and stop it , not sure if you can shine any light on it ???, i have pictures some where of ted dressed up as a us soldier,i think the girls like it!!!
Ted has now passed away he died around ten years ago , but all his brothers are well , do any of you know Alan davies , had a brother Jim
All this is is way before my time as i was born in 1975 , but the i like the stories .
Thankyou for getting back in touch with me.
my old man, lew wright, ex copper in the 60’s – always told me a story about getting tom jones onto stage at cedar club. he supposedly had to go get him up and off a lady he was having a nice time with!! and rush him back to club.. I dunno how much truth in this – but I do know my old man knew the fewtrells and the cedar and gambling – but he never told me all stories!!!
I remember ted well..he like to say geeeno washiiinton and his ram jaaam band
he split his trouser one night and was sacked..never saw him again
1970 billy fury arriving late and telling me t come backstage after show for an augtograph wich i did great show but back to mid 60s does any one remember haig the dj used to crawl across the floor dressea as the devil haig redding was well knowen all over handsworth and the cedar club and the plazer any info welcom
1970 billy fury arriving late and telling me t come backstage after show for an augtograph wich i did great show but back to mid 60s does any one remember haig the dj used to crawl across the floor dressed as the devil haig redding was well known all over handsworth and the cedar club and the plazer any info welcome
Yes, I remember Haig from the Plaza, Handsworth, he was quite a character and a rather strange guy but quite sweet in a way. He had a bit of a crush on my friend (definitely not reciprocated!) and used to buy her chocolates and flowers sometimes. The plus side of that meant that we were able to get him to play our favourite records. I used to see him in the daytime on the Soho Road sometimes and he’d often be talking to himself. I wonder what happened to him?!
I saw steve jones in the Profesionals there.
The Peddlers were great and very underrated!
Remember seeing john cooper-clarke ,after finally arriving? Due to fog on the motorway!
The Cedar Cet aka Wellington Kitch Jump Band.
This was the first name of this band from 1966-68 (ish) Supporting Garnet Mimms etc.
The Cedar Cet were the resident band under Eddie Fewtrell’s managment.
I would like to thank all our customers of all our night clubs and venues for kind comments nice to know our family made such an impact on so many lives and the memories live on .
Many Thanks to you all
Regards Roger (bomber) Fewtrell
Bomber, no one will every enjoy 6 years like I did, 1959 to ended for me after Don Reuben died,
I have been saddened to hear of the death of so many of your siblings. ,
I had great regard for all of them from Frankie at the Bermuda, on wards,I played some great games of football with Chris. .
I hope you are well Roger, I noticed that Larry and Jim Sadler have also died.recently. not very many of the originals left.
Don Butler.
Truly the best times I used all,the clubs in the early seventies – my husband was amazed when I took him to Rebecca’s for the first time -oh what great memories. Helen from Handsworth
Which Fewtrell brother was the manager at Edwards Number 8-I knew his daughter
I remember you well also johnny with his e type also eddie and don..i loved rebecars and I lived just off broad street and barbarelas was my local
you family was well respected and bough joy to many peole
I worked as a barmaid at the Cedar Club every weekend. U2 -Damned-Cockney Rejects-UK subs and so on. So many I can not remember them all or what took place, but I do remember the night the Cockney Rejects played. It was a bit of a glass flying event – not sure if they even completed the second song – it was so packed, hot and the air was stale with anger.
Remember grabbing all the glasses off the bar – running in the back to avoid the throwing of chairs and everything the Brummies could get their hands on. Was in Newstreet earlier on in the day and was told their would be a bit of a riot. Told Chrissy Fewtrel (God Bless His Soul), so they were well prepared – could of been a lot worse. It was like a saloon fight in those old westerns. Anyone remember being there that night.
Remember the Cockney Rejects as I was working there also they didn’t even start the second song as they dedicated it to all the brummies and it was called shithead, then the glasses started flying and the rejects had house bricks on stage.
Bomber do you remember me Derek who was a friend of Eddie Don Gordan Chris Frank and your Father George I whent to all the Clubs including the Bermuda and the do at The Cedars to remember Frank in fancy dress
Saw U2 there in September 1980. They had 2 singles out. We were undecided whether to go in because it was £3! The band turned up and got us in for free, letting us carry the guitars. I had a vision of how i expected them to look and was a bit disappointed with the image. Adam with his curly mop of blond hair and glasses! The Edge was awesome though, even then. Bono tried everything to get the crowd (one man and his dog) going and i remember him dancing along the raised area to the left of the stage. Two lads were sat on the edge of the stage with their backs to the group. Bono would curl the mic lead around them. They did most of the first album. I still have the song list from off the stage. Great days.
Derek from Wolvo
The U2 gig, were they supporting Fashion? I remember the audience seemed to think why was the singer continually jumping off stage and ruuning to the back.
U2 were headlining and supporting were Xpertz and Midnite Lemon Boys.
The Cedar Club and Fewtrell family were home AWAY from home to all the “Townies” what a great place it was for them.
I shed many a tear over the Cedarclub and its gang.
My life changed completely when Don Reuben (still the love of my life) died in 1965 and even sfter two husbands I still dream of him and the club, and the antics they got up to.
Here in Miami I have met holidaymakers from “Brum” and the first question they ask is “Remember the Cedar Club”. What a great reputation after all these years.
You cannot repeat those days of the sixties or the people.
It is so different today.
Good luck to all of you that are still here with us.
Was that Don Reuben who was killed in an E type in Cartland Road, Kings Heath on the bridge. For some bizzare reason they put the what was left of the car on show on a garage forecort in town
Yes, that was the Don Reuben of the Cedar club and it certainly was bizzare to make a show of the car.
It was a real rite of passage going to the Cedar Club.
I saw the following gigs there:
23/10/80 UK Subs
9/1/81 Chelsea (straight after GBH + Drongos For Europe at Golden Eagle)
13/3/81 Discharge + GBH
9/5/81 Exploited
13/6/81 Discharge + GBH
2/10/81 Discharge (straight after Dead Kennedys at the Imperial)
17/10/81 Angelic Upstarts
30/10/81 Vice Squad + Chron Gen (Anti Pasti pulled out)
20/11/81 Discharge + GBH
The Exploited gig there really filled up after Stiff Little Fingers finished their gig at the Odeon the same night. Likewise the Vice Squad gig, as Crass did the Digbeth Civic Hall the same night. Jello Biafra from the Dead Kennedys was seen in the mosh pit at the Discharge gig on the same night.
Some of my mates also saw the Vibrators (supported by Drongos), the Slits, Splodge and Killing Joke between September and December 1980, but I didn’t go to them.
Used to work there, mid sixties as a waiter, I remember don, Jonney Prescott, Carl Wayne,etc,the cast of crossroads and the English football team, great days and nights
I also worked there in the mid
60s. I remember all those and a funny little man called Bryn.
In 1967 -1969 I played many many times at The Cedar Club with my band The Lemon Tree I have jammed in with guys like Jonny Bonham, Robert Plant , One night Tom Jones was on stage singing long tall Sally with Robert Plant, Tom said to me afterwards I just can’t match that guys voice.
Thanks again for the many unforgettable memories.
Just a short recollection of seeing the Belle Stars at the Cedar Club, sometime in ’81 (could have been ’82). If anyone has pictures of that night, I’d really like to see them.
My band supported the Dead Kennedys at the Imperial Cinema October 1981.We took them down to the Cedar Club after because Discharge were on.I met Jello last year 2013 in Blackpool and we spoke about that night which he remembers quite well considering all the places he has played.
We the Drongos For Europe played many times at the Cedar Chris would phone me and just say your playing tonight which we never hesitated not many venues would put punk bands on in those days.
Had great times there Jimmy The Con would give us a real pep talk before we played did not dare let him down.
Birmingham was a better place to go out thanks to the Fewtrell family.
Thanks from BRUM PUNKS.
I saw these gigs at the Cedar Club in Birmingham …
July 1980 – Sector 27 (Tom Robinson’s new band after TRB split up)
Sept 1980 – Dr. Feelgood
Late 1980 – The Professionals (feat Steve Jones and Paul Cook from sex pistols)
Dec 1980 – Stray Cats
Apr 1981 – New Order
Aug 1981 – Bizarre Unit (futurist type duo from Cannock)
Boy George was sometimes there. We went to see Simple Minds there in late 1980 – when we got there the gig had been cancelled. A local band called Duran Duran played instead, but we didn’t bother going in !
Have always told exactly same story over the years about Simple Minds vs Duran Duran. We also decided not to go in and went bac to Wolves Poly to see film Dirty Harry ……Ive always said I made right choice although may have been cool to say saw the Duran in small intimate club early in their career.
My band UXB played here on July 31 1981- and we never got paid! we were told to come back tomorrow as they had ‘cashed up’. After a few tries we gave up and put it down to experience.
Saw Teardrop Explodes supported by the Thompson Twins at the Cedar Club, Nov 13, 1980. Great gig. Julian Cope in flying jacket and shades. Very cool, and such a great voice. The other thing I remember is that there was a hole in the roof over where we were sitting, and rain was coming in. Those were the days!
Jazz singer Dakota Staton performed “Route 66” there in 1966 too!
Siouxsie & the Banshees with Human League as support at the Cedar, awesome, I think I sat at the bottom of the staircase by the stage as Siouxsie finished she had to pretty much jump over me…brush with fame. Human League were the original line up before the split great slide show as I recall.
Saw John Cooper Clake, supported by The Passions (I’m in Love With a German Film Star) but was that smashed I was singing I’m in love with a Russian Astronaut! Great night in the early 80’s!
Does anyone remember a local Birmingham band called Clearwater
The were playing in the clubs in the late sixties/early seventies
Would love to hear from anyone and a picture would be great.
Love Annie
i remember the cedar club so well it was the best club in town the fewtrells was good friends of mine i knew don reubens wife dorthee fiddelly i think she worked in flemmings hotel london half moon street very pretty lady i hope she reads this and may reply great days back then
hi annie carey i remember the band clearwater i watched them at the barley mow years a go at ward end ill try and get more info on them for you im sure i had a friend whos brother played for them they was called abel fletcher too im sure been so long ago but as the days go on ill try get info for u all the best dave x
Of all the venues I used to visit in the 1970s/80s the Cedar Club was one of my favourites. I remember hanging outside on the street waiting for the doors to be opened and then heading straight to the bar for a much needed pint of bitter. As the bands were always on much later than at the Odeon or Digbeth Civic Hall, the bands playing often mingled with the audience in the club.
From my notes, some of the acts I saw include:
Altered Images/The Dreamboys – June 4th 1981.
I remember chatting to a Scottish guy at the bar and he told me he was the singer in the support group, called The Dreamboys, to that nights headline act, Altered Images. True to his word he was later on stage, playing to an audience of about 30. I understand now that the man I was chatting to was current Doctor Who star Peter Capaldi – a lovely memory to have. By the time the headliners came onstage the audience had increased inside to about 45. They put on a great set & were called back for 2 encores.
Discharg/GBH – June 12th 1981
On this night the venue was packed. Before the club opened there was a massive crowd in the street waiting to get in. Both bands were very good and the beer and spit was flying everywhere. A night to remember
Discharge – 02 October 1981
This was the gig that was on after Dead Kennedys finished at the Imperial Cinema on the other side of town. We after watching the DK’s we legged it straight over to Cedars. We had missed the support act so I have no idea who they were. As has been mentioned, members of the Dead Kennedys were in the audience, including Jello Biafra.
Vice Squad/Chron Gen – October 30th 1981
Headline act Anti-Pasti pulled out at the last minute, leaving Vice Squad in charge. They didn’t disappoint. We got there early but the venue stayed nearly empty for ages. Then the venue seemed to get packed really quickly. It so turned out that Crass had been playing at the Digbeth Civic
I also saw.but don’t have the dates for
The Fall, The Stray Cats, Monochrome Set, Dr. Feelgood, UK Subs, Chelsea, Drongos For Europe, Au Pairs, UK Decay, The Teardrop Explodes, The Slits, Wall Of Voodoo and lots more.
was great days
Josef K – 30 July 1981
Plenty of times enjoying punk and reggae on weekend. Saw plenty of bands there too: Killing Joke, U2, Au Pairs (again and again), Ten Pole Tudor, the Fall. Drongos were going to support Adam and the Ants but Adam got his mug on TOTP and changed the venue to the Odeon. Pity, I reckon it would’ve been a good gig because Kings of teh Wild Frontier was cool in the club at the time
I was so lucky to see all these bands while I was working behind the bar – I was the envy of all my friends. Echo and the Bunny Men were very good along with Killing Joke and the Damned. There were a lot of holes in the Cedar Clubs roof, and it did go down hill towards the end of its life span that building, but no one cared – just their for the crack.
Plenty of times enjoying punk and reggae on weekend. Saw plenty of bands there too: Killing Joke, U2, Au Pairs (again and again), Ten Pole Tudor, the Fall. Drongos were going to support Adam and the Ants but Adam got his mug on TOTP and changed the venue to the Odeon. Pity, I reckon it would’ve been a good gig because Kings of the Wild Frontier was cool in the club at the time
Yes Dave, I remember you, not from the Cedar but Flemings and the Vanderbilt Hotel. I am now living in Miami and married again.
well done dorothee had many drinks with u years ago xxx
keep in contact i live in solihull now having a few beers here an there so good luck from dave x
well dorothee u was a nice looking lady x
I seem to remember it as the Cedar ROOMs ? Dexys, Au Pairs, Wah! Heat, Stray Cats among the bands I saw there around 1979 to 81
Hello,
I remember visiting the Cedar club one Saturday night in 1966 (probably September) with a girl, who had a flat in Hagley Road. Any idea who might have played Saturday nights around that time. Also, was there a restaurant in the club?
Look forward to hearing from you
Brian Swales
Dose anyone remember dave and Barrie Curtis d js from the ceded club
I was the drummer with the London based Fulson Stilwell band in the late 1960’s and I recall playing the Cedars twice. I guess the last time was a Sunday in late 1968 and we had played Clouds in Derby on the Saturday.
Not a great trip as our old van kept breaking down, but the gig was great.
Chris.
Does any one remember Ike and Tina Turner playing here. There’s a memory somewhere in my mind. I was about 15 or 16 . I went with my mum. She was trendy and introduced me to great music
No one has mentioned Duran Duran! They played Cedar Club more than once.
wow brings back great memories saw crass for first time there , tenpole tudor , gbh and loads more just wish i was more sober during the gigs lol
Hello everyone. Just reading a bit on this as I knew a lot about Eddie Fewtrel as my family were always talking about him. My Uncle Dave Reuben was good friends with him as was my cousin Donald. I have read Eddies book king of clubs which made good reading also the paperback books that followed. I was 5 when Donald died so did not have much memories of those days so reading the books gave me an incite. I know lots of people who were there back in the day and have listened to some great stories. I really would like to meet Eddie and have a chat about those days. But hey ho.
Anyway great memories.
Keith Reuben.