There Are Currently 22 Comments for this Post

1. John Stanley says:

   Jan 24, 2011 at 16:51

   I ran two music columns for Dennis’ Midland Beat and gave him front pages such as the Rolling Stones photo reading MB.
   Does an archive exist of old issues?

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   • Jez Collins says:

     Apr 5, 2011 at 08:50

     Hi John,

     There are a number of issues I understand in the Library archive. I may be wrong on that but I’m sure someone told me they were there.

     Reply
2. Tony Grimaud says:

   Jan 23, 2012 at 12:23

   I found this pic (front page) of Midland Beat magazine – Issue 45 (1967) . Thought it would be good to have it on here! (How do I go about uploading the pic?)

   Reply
3. Chris Selby says:

   Nov 22, 2012 at 23:35

   The archives at Birmingham Library have approx 90% of the published issues of Brumbeat on file..you can view them but you have to book..slight problem is that that the archive is closed until September 2013 when the new library opens.

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   • William McCabe says:

     Jul 23, 2013 at 13:44

     There seems to be a little confusion between Midland Beat – something I never saw – probably because I was too young and Brum Beat (Late 70s – 80s) that I seem to have around 80% of at home. Which one do the library have? If I ever get a scanner working again, are there any particular things this archive needs from it?

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     • Jez Collins says:

       Jul 26, 2013 at 12:51

       Hi William, yo are right, the Library of Birmingham definitely has Brum Beat (or had, let’s hope they have kept them following their move). I think they also have some Midland Beat as well. I’d love to scan complete issues of Brum Beat, a pain staking job but it would be a great resource for the archive!

4. William McCabe says:

   Jul 29, 2013 at 13:35

   Trouble with scanning Brum Beat is that most scanners are A4 and BB was more than twice that size for most of its run. I’ve been checking through the old issues for material relevant to another history project to scan so if there’s anything particular you’re looking for, I can maybe get some things scanned and sent over.
   Looking at the set again, 80% was probably optimistic.
   For what it’s worth, I could probably scan whole issues except for the problems of page size – apart from that it wouldn’t be the first time.

   Reply
5. Jez Collins says:

   Jul 29, 2013 at 14:39

   William, are you talking about Midland Beat or Brum Beat? Brum Beat I thought was A4 size (i’ve got a few of them with me here).

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6. William McCabe says:

   Jul 30, 2013 at 16:02

   For the first few years Brum Beat was newspaer size. Since I don’t have the copies to hand, I can’t give exact numbers but the first issue is from 1980 (I assume – mine start at no. 2) and they were still using the newspaper format after issue 100. They then moved to half that size and finally added glossy covers. I think they were going to start charging when I stopped getting copies.

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7. Neil Hallam says:

   Mar 13, 2014 at 20:35

   I was the Derbyshire correspondent for Midland Beat for a time in the Sixties, when I worked for Raymonds News Agency in Derby. It was my job to produce a round-up of up of news concerning the leading groups in the area but the relationship ended ignominiously when I left my copy in the tray for postage to MB and had it sabotaged by a colleague with a somewhat off-centre sense of humour. He invented a group and wrote into my report that they had been signed up by Decca Records after going down a bomb at a wedding reception attended by a top deejay. The group’s name – Sydney Whippe & The Bleeding Buttocks. The top deejay? Tug M’Groyne. The editor of Midland Beat was not amused and I got a letter terminating our arrangement on the grounds that I was “not taking things seriously enough.”

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8. Colin Corbett says:

   Jun 25, 2015 at 18:22

   I have 11 copies of midland beat from 1964 – 1965. Have just started to have them copied to A3 format and will laminate the copies. The early editions were A4 size but later changed to A3 size. Some magazines are for sale on Ebay and Im interested inbuying two of them as I was a Drummer in a group called The Telstars and Ian Sludge Lees was our singer – we feature in many of the magazines – that ‘s my interest. I Will gladly send anyone copies if needed .TheTelstars worked on the regan circuit for two years – Plaza Handsworth – Plaza Old Hill – Ritz and Brum Kavern plusmany local venues. Would love to hear from anyone who remembers us or were involved in the same . I eded up as a Professional Dance teacher with my wife Rita – look us up on the net. Great times great memories.
   Colin Corbett 01889 583595

   Your welcome to show my Email or phone number.

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   • Jez Collins says:

     Jun 29, 2015 at 10:03

     Hi Colin,

     I’d love to get scans onto the site, I’ve got lots of Brum Beats that I need to scan in so to have them next to Midland Beat would be fantastic.

     Jez

     Reply
9. Jayne says:

   Nov 26, 2015 at 23:31

   Hi
   Wondered if anyone had copies of midland beat from 1966? Mainly April & July episode 34? Or any really
   My dad was in a band called Listen, he was the drummer Geoff Thompson the group had a single you’d better run & Robert Plant was also a member of the group. My dad unfortunately has advanced dementia now and I am trying to get any bits of info from this time that I can,
   Photo copies would be amazing as trying to make a scrap book

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   • Brian Nicholls says:

     Feb 25, 2017 at 18:47

     Hello Jayne,

     I must have around 30 copies of Midland Beat from 1964 to 1967 somewhere in my loft so I’ll see if I’ve got April/May 1966. If so, I’ll scan items about “Listen” if you let me have your email address.

     Brian Nicholls

     Reply
     • John Mayfield says:

       Mar 28, 2017 at 16:24

       Hello Brian.
       Just read your entry in the Birmingham Musical Archive that you have 30 copies of Midland Beat 1964 to 1967. I am looking for an article on a group called Veeble Peeple a Leicester band. I believe its in issue No 24 September 1965. Would be very interested to know if you have that copy.
       Kind regards John Mayfield.

     • Jez Collins says:

       Mar 29, 2017 at 09:42

       Hi John,

       Brian has just dropped off the Midland Beats for me to scan. I’ll look for you when I get into the office.

10. Sean says:

    Nov 10, 2016 at 02:21

    I’d love copies of the Midland Beats, Colin, love them to bits. I was in a band called the Cast, Ladywood based and we played the Midland Beat Contest (1966?) held at the Locarno in Birmingham. Got about 20th as the result had already been ‘decided’ a fact I found out on joining another band in the early 70s, the leader (bass player) saying ‘Oh, I remember it well, me and ****** ***** sorted that one’. Probably bull**** as he was full of it, great fun tho.

    When we were playing my girlfriend and her pal were watching and just as well too as my blue sparkle top tom tom fell off the bass drum and bounced down every layer of the stage into the audience. Great fun and times. The Locarno was PACKED that night. Thankfully the organist’s sister took pictures from the balcony overlooking the stage, one I have, faded now but in colour. The Bobcats were also on the bill.

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11. Les Piggin says:

    Feb 27, 2017 at 15:59

    Hi, I’ve just come across an old copy of MIdland Beat, No.20 from May 1965 which has been in my attic for 50 years. I don’t know how I got it as I live in Halifax Yorkshire and played round the Yorkshire clubs etc in the 60s, never went south of Sheffield. Quaint to see all those eager young faces and full heads of hair from 50 years ago, all old men like me now in a different world!
    If you would like the paper for your archive I will gladly send it to you, if you don’t already have it. Or I could photograph the pages and email them. Just let me know.
    I am still a keen guitar player at 71, mostly theatrical shows and choir concerts etc.
    Regards, Les Piggin.

    Reply
12. John Mayfield says:

    Apr 10, 2017 at 14:31

    Hello Jez.
    Have you got to the office and had time to look for that Midland Beat issue 24 from 1965 with the article about Veeble Peeple yet?
    Apologies if you haven’t had time.
    Regards John Mayfield.

    Reply
13. Robin says:

    Oct 8, 2017 at 19:47

    Are the Veeble Peeple still remembered then ? I was the lead guitarist way back then. Robin

    Reply
14. Robin says:

    Oct 8, 2017 at 19:49

    And I have a copy of that issue of Midland Beat right here in my house. Robin

    Reply
15. mike roper says:

    Dec 2, 2017 at 23:20

    Looking for picture we sent to midland beat a band from Worcester called the soundcasters about 1962 / 63

    Reply

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