Saturday Lunchtimes, Wednesday Evenings at Bogarts:
Here’s a picture sent in by Chris Bates, inside Bogarts New Years Eve 1979, and in the centre right is the box were the projector was for showing the occasional cartoon. Happy days sticking to the floor.
Thanks to Ian Hasell for sending this in to us. Ian was Walrus Gumboot’s Sound Engineer. Recorded at Bogarts.
There Are Currently 127 Comments for this Post
Hi There music Lovers!
Firstly, a tiny correction on the Van der Graff memories! It was Guy Evans that we bumped into! I confused our dear editor initially thinking it was Nic Potter! Anyway!
Such fond memories of The Odeon! Saw Maddy Prior(of Steeleye Span)fall off the stage there and land in the orchestra pit! She was fine though! Got up and carried on!
What about the great Rock Disco’s of the 70s? The Rio Grande Yardly Wood on Sunday nights!My own dear local The Cofton West Heath on various weekday evenings. If you remember that establishment, then you will remember a good friend of mine doing his solo dance to Arthur Browns’Burn’!
Bogarts was a great place to see bands in the week and on saturdays.Lasting memories was trying to peel your soles off the floor that had been covered with numerous spilt pints ovr the years. Agree about the Rio Grand at the Yew Tree in YARDLEY. Friday Night and Sunday Night was Heavy Rock Disco with DJ’s Tony Craig and Robert the Bruce respectively. It has since long gone and been replaced by a drive thru McDonalds and a Lidl/|Aldi type supermarket I think. Is that progress or what I ask myself!!??
The Yew Tree Pub and Rio Grand were demolished and rebuilt as
the new ‘Yew Tree’ Pub with a Co-Op a Boots and Kentucky Fried Chicken where the Rio Grand stood.I would suggest that in later years the rock scene in Sheldon moved to the Function Room at ‘The Chestnut Tree’ Pub on Garretts Green Lane…Rock type discos with live bands and some excellent tribute bands.My favourites were “Dizzy Lizzy” a superb ‘Thin Lizzy’ tribute well worth watching if you get the chance,”My Generation” a great ‘Who’ tribute band.Other tributes were T-Rex,Peter Gabriel/Genesis,Led Zeppelin,Free and Pink Floyd.
Happy Days!! What a pity the owner Keith sold up and moved to Spain,it folded about 12 months later.
Hello Tim, can’t honestly remember if it was Keith ! Just remember great Sunday nights at The Rio 🙂 Just wondering if you are the Tim that was friends with Richard Hartley ( Jam) and Paul Dore ? Have you seen The Bogarts face book page ? xx
I was a regular at the Rio on a Sunday night, good old head banging no nonsense .
Are you the Tim Perry that went to Lea Village junior school, brother of Lorraine?
Ruth would that be KEITH doing his thing then by any chance???
The geezer who used to dance to Arthur Brown at the Cofton was called Pete Oakes or Oakesy as everybody knows him. I still see him most Fridays for a drink. Even now on very special occasions we can manage to persuade him to do his so called “Fire Dance”. The song was actually called “Fire”.
Spent many evenings in the Cofton. DJs were Ray T, Stevie Dee etc. Bands like Walrus Gumboot and Falcon Lodge also played there. The Cofton definitely deserves it’s own page. It was knocked down about 10 years ago to make way for a BP Petrol Station.
Hey Gary 🙂 haven’t checked this page for ages, sorry I missed your comment ! It’s great to know that you still see Pete 🙂 and that he still does his dance lol ! Those parties we used to have were amazing weren’t they ! Great times ! Do you still see any of the other guys ? Bob Chambers, Pete Phillips, Neil Morris, Steve Walker and his brother,Dave ( Daisy) Tony Oakes and any others 🙂 Hope you see this reply sooner than I saw yours ! xx
bogarts in new street was my very first night club at the tender age of 16, I had my first drink there , i can remember all the rock music and people lounging about not a care in the world ,nothing to do with the drugs,i dare say. but i have fond memories ,and yes they were great days.
Also, tim perry i remember the rio grand at the yew tree yardly, sad day when they knocked it down,and built a kentukey, and a coop there. also they have moved the junior school to , i dont know what they are going to build next probly a mosque.
Saw many bands in this venue but one that sticks out the most is Judas Priest. This band did one number tried to start another and were soundly booed from the stage.They’ve honed their act since I might hasten to add.
Still remember giving up going to Maine Rd to watch the Blues play Fulham to go to Bogarts instead such was the draw of the place.Often think of the endless nights spent there when I walk past the building.Happy days
One of my favourite venues, not only because I had the great pleasure of playing there, but primarily because our roadie set me up on a blind date there with his sisters best mate…. came off stage covered in sweat after finishing our set only to be introduced to this stunning looking lass. That was on June 10th 1974 and we’re still together 35 years on, with three great ‘kids’ and three beautiful grandchildren. Thanks Jon Linforth of Tyseley wherever you are now!
OMG, hearing “the Cofton” and Bogarts. Wow, I frequented both, and worked at the cofton. I remember getting in to Bogarts at 14 or 15. whoa my daughter is 15! would hate to think of her getting into that place!good grief it was a lot of fun!
So many great bands. Does anyone remember ‘Lark in the park’ with Ruby Turner etc…?
I remember being in Bogarts one Saturday afternoon and the dj suddenly overtook the band with the song ‘ they’re coming to take you away’ and a mad dash to open the fire exit door. It was a warning of a police raid. I was underage but hell lied thru my teeth and got away with it
My name is Wayne , I went to Bogarts as often as i could, there was Cliff and Sophie (French), Don the postman and another wayne (tall Guy) Parrot was a crazy guy with a moterbike and and Dave , the DJ was Martin, he had a scruffy little dog with him most nights (must ave bin deaf dat dog) lol, we all got completely pissed up every night and then went off to Barbarellas for more beer. Steve and allen looked like they were from Black sabbath and John and fred, Sue and another john who was veryy quiet (but still pissed up) I used to freak out on the stage to most stuff usually ending up in a big heap, Thenat the end we all marched through B`ham to try to save the place , but alas the old adage came true, if youre avin a good time ,Theres always some bastard ready to spoil it arreeee happy days indeed… Wayne x
http://www.youtube.com/swellmusik
Have got fond memories of Bogarts, seen UFO there one
night, think it was 1974, great times, i live in Italy
now,but every time i go back to Brum, i always take a
walk up New Street,brings back memories,i also used to
go after to Barbarellas, seen BeeBop deluxe there also.
So many places to go back in the day 🙂 Bogarts top of the list for me but I certainly remember other venues in central Birmingham such as Henrys Blues House, Mayfair Suite, The Tavern, The Gaiety and the Grapevine ? had a folk club upstairs that was run by the two Daves from Bogarts 🙂
Donna and Gary, we must have seen each other at some point !! Do you remember the gang that used to hang around in the Nuthurst Road area ? Tony Oakes (Petes brother), Neil Morris, Daisy (Dave):),Steve and Monk (really into Lindisfarne)Walker, and many more !! We were always on the look out for someones house to invade to play our music 🙂
Did you go to The Caravan Club too, down at Hopwood ?
Bet I would recognise you from the Rio Tim 🙂 very sorry to hear that it’s now a fast food emporium !!
I remember Parrot and Dave from Bogarts 🙂 Parrot dated a girl called Margo from my School ( Bartley Green Girls Grammar) and Dave dated her friend Anne from the same school ! I remember the raid alerts in Bogarts Donna ! Like you I was only 15 when I first went there ! I hated lying about my age to the very sweet bouncer Arthur on the door 🙂
I married Pete the drummer from Dawnbreaker 🙂 remember them ? He remembers you Fairport ! He also remembers a march in protest to keep Bogarts entertainment licence, which was a success !! Shame the march to keep it open failed ! I haven’t lived in Birmingham for a long time now but when ever I walk down New Street I gaze up at the building where very happy hours were spent…xx
Hello Ruth
Remember me Jim The singer from Dawnbreaker!!
How’s pete doing….Good to know romance lasts.
I remember the days well……….well er when I was’nt drunk that is!
Brilliant times, the problem is you do not realise it at the time.
Take care
Hi Jim ! We’re thrilled to hear from you !! Pete’s fine and says hello 🙂 I remember your wedding and the fantastic shirts you wore on stage with Dawnbreaker 🙂 What amazing times !! Do you know about the Bogarts page on face book ? Hardly any of our crowd seem to have joined but there are hundreds of members ! It would be great if you joined. We put a couple of Dawnbreaker photos on the page last year. Do you still see Alan, Glyn or Paul ? I remember Alan sitting on one of those new white metal chairs in Bogarts and breaking it lol 🙂 Please stay in touch, love Ruth xx
Dawnbreaker : Jim Owen Vocals, (you) Alan Keeley bass – I swapped my Precision for his Jaydee Thunderbird. I’m sure I read he’d died 🙁 Pete Collins drums (was in Night Service with me) and guitar??? Can’t recall
Hi Ruth
You certainly jogged a few memories for me. Those were great times at the Cofton and Bogarts. How’s Marina (Hubble as she was then)? I’ve some sad news both Daisy and Monk have passed on. The rest of the Nuthurst gang are still alive and kicking.
Get in touch.
Just emerged from a two hour power cut and went mooching around on u tube 🙂 found Riders On The Storm 🙂 and it reminded me of walking up the stairs to Bogarts !! What a classic Bogarts tune ! Oh ! And Do The Stanley of course 🙂
I too used to frequent Bogarts on a Saturday afternoon at the tender age of 16. I’d get away with it by partially hiding my face with my hair. How time changes…. now I’m completed bald. I learnt alot about respect in there, we had to behave in there!!!! Thanks for the memories
Just been reading Ruth’s comments. I remember all those folks from the Nuthurst Road area. I lived there too. Still see some of them. Most of us spent virtually every night in the Cofton getting wrecked or up town seeing bands. On Saturday nights we usually went to Hopwood Caravan Club to see bands such as Jameson Raid, Little Acre, Ezra Pound, Quartz/Bandylegs and Hooker. My memory might be playing tricks here but I’m pretty sure I saw an early Magnum gig down there too.
well,hi bogarts team.i was one off the bikers who stood ,staggered,in the right hand cornerof the place .lots of memourous ,sort of ,grest music ,great place.life forming .great mild.people- big tom ,pope.thor RIP sad loss .billy,little barry.girls-jackie ,little julie ,maggie,jools behind the bar’julie wison,kathy saff and many more .date i was there 1972 -1979.keep rocking,even if now you have arthritis from head banging.gingerjanet.
ruth cheshire talking about the rio grande yardley.
used to frequent the place on friday nights (tony craig night) from 1976 to 1980.i was with a guy called hugh marnell we used to roadie for tony craig .get all his gear set up and then over to yew tree fish bar for loads of grub to take back.stock up with beer and then in behind the stage to stuff ourselves for the coming evening.
dont know if anyone remembers the other people on friday nights. wendy the dancer who would gyrate on the floor mesmerising the guys.or big dave,or charlie and dave the bouncers who were pretty ok really.
used to do gigs all around birmingham ( the grapes hill street, golden eagle hill street,romeo and juliets,etc.)
i met the first great love of my life there tracey carroll
as for bogarts we used to frequent the place pretty regularly always remember the first time ever ther what an amazing feeling standing for a few minutes in one place drinking your beer and then trying to walk away and finding your boots very much stuck to the carpet.
happy much simpler days.
any old guys or girls who remember me please get in touch.
malcolm hay
Hi, Tracy Carroll here!!!
remember me’ TC TOES
First went to Bogarts around ’78, Saturday afternoons for a while and then a big gang of us would go on a Thursday night.
If you were lucky you could get the DJ to play your top five. Got mine played on one occasion, and if I remember correctly, it comprised of Mystery Song-Quo, Dirty Women-Sabbath, Woman From Tokyo-Deep Purple, Stairway-Led Zep and finally Born To Be Wild from Slade Alive.
First heard Styx’ Grand Illusion album there and Come Sail Away always makes me think of the place and vice-versa. Saw a band called Sultan there on a Saturday afternoon. The singer fell backwards into the drum kit which was warmly applauded ofcourse. I enjoyed their set but didn’t hear anything of them after that. Hello to you guys, you played a memorable gig that day.
I practically lived there from 79’when I was 24 till it shut, fond memories, I remained friends with Martin the dj until he died, he was only 48, at least the yew tree has started up again, Ivor is running it, another bogarts regular, if you’re on the rock scene in Birmingham you will know him, atb, craig
I was another who used to go to Bogies and the Rio. Mainly went to the Rio on Fridays as it was the end of the week and a good time to get legless. Sunday always felt a bit flat. I usually went to Bogarts on a Tuesday night. It was sort of Prog. night and Martin (the DJ) would play whatever you took in. Long weird and rambling tracks by bands I cant remember the name of. I fell asleep wrapped up in my Afghan on the stage one night. When it came time to leave I couldnt get the coat off the floor!! It was stuck fast!!!! (Got it off eventually). Fantastic times. All gone to make way for crap things for complete straights. Yuk!!!!!!!
happy days where you could be yourself. you´d arrive any night of the week, spend 1/2hr saying hello to people b4 you got to the bar, to be served by the lovely sandra or julie.
a unique place never 2b replaced.
i remember drinking pints of guinness and milk. large cans of fosters. bottles of newcy
Hello fellow Bogartians 🙂 Just returned from a pilgrimage to Birmingham 🙂 Went to have a look at where Bogarts used to be, of course !! Can’t remember the exact number of the building ! Does anyone remember if it was number 67 ? That looked about right.
Hi these are the names I remember at Bogarts.
Sue McDonald, John Norman,Steve Newis,Ian who once famously wore a gorilla suit,john who played space invaders all night for one pound downstairs,mark barker who also worked as a bouncer for the bham odeon(gone) at gigs, hedley wells (my mate Ted). Also remember Stick and Ian(?) going wild every night.and martin the DJ of course and was sorry to hear he had passed away 🙁 also I’ll never forget the totally amazing Jez (jeremy) who was tragically killed hiking around france(?)
I loved the place-any night but especially fri, sat afternoon and sat night.I was a pretty quiet kid and I still am so 😛 occasionally it was frequented by bikers (cycle tramps?) and the big guy named Brewwer(? I recall)
I remember those bogarts days of jameson raid,quartz,anne nightingale guested there once wow!
also dont forget the golden eagle (gone) hill street, in between days to see iron maiden (yep!thats right),john otway, ICU (inner city unit) with nik turner from hawkwind, they were great days too.
amazing that now when I look around oasis market 30 years later it still has all pretty much the same feel to it.hippy gear, indie shit, etc.
hi if you remember me though you probably don’t, I was very quiet like i say!
hi sue hi john! “tell me people, am I going insane?INSANE”
Remember all the bikers, the tramps became outlaws and brewer passed on RIP, lots of bikers came and went in those days when the old brum hung out at the old crown digbeth, remember ringo and fats, Thor and Pope, and big Tom who gave me his top hat, nothing came close to replacing bogarts nights, I met all my first Nike buddies there before 69 MC days, looking back its over 40 years ago now and still I remember every bit of the place….life was good, lots of people did lots of stuff then !!!.
Did you all know that there’s a face book page for Bogarts now? Don’t recognise many names or faces from the current ‘friends’ list but there are some great photo’s that will jog memories !xx
Didnt know Martin the DJ had gone to the great gig in the sky. Sorry to hear that. One of the best club DJ’s I ever saw. And a real genuine guy too.
Also, ah yes, the Odeon, the Rio Grande, the Eagle too… I also say ICU there. Nik Turner. Quite, quite mad. But fun.
Grand days.
Can’t someone out there invent (quickish!) the time machine. Be nice to pop back to those days from time to time!
I knew Steve newis,c and Graham,And Bob And Jez we all went to Glastonbury 1980
How you doing Gaz ! ?
p.s ..and Ian and Mark Barker.it was eight quid for two weeks camping! twenty fags were £1, a ripoff! all there was to drink was Scrumpy.
Steve had a green Ford escort.OOOh and Mark with the Fiat x-19! Great times.
Not forgetting Su Evans,Hanna Newnham and Carol Tibbins.AND!
Frank Healey and Sean Smithers and ZOS and BJ and Scarf ooooh and Acid Neil and Stick xxx
Hi, Mark Barker here – just spotted my name in a couple of posts! Great times had by all.
Jeremy Desmond Pallet .His catch phrase was ” really bad ” great guy!
Hey, the heady days of ’77 at Bogarts. Saturday lunchtimes then on to the Piegon Park to hang out…home for tea then back into town for Bogarts agains with a trip off to Barbarellas later !!! Great days and nights.
Who can forget the music ? Such variety that, sadly, has never been replicated at any rock disco since. Punk next to psychedelia next to prog next to west coast next to heavy stuff…anything went…it was just music. Also got Tomy Iommis autograph one night !!
If you’re out there you may recognise yourselves from these names: Dead Phil, Pete Elmer, Pete Smith, my cousin Shep who shared a pad with the barmais Mandy, Julie and Claire) the girls from King Edwards High (Ann Aston, Ann Fuller, Nicky, Mandy etc.etc.), AB, Birchy, Crocker, Steve Newis, The Graham Johnson animal and so on. RIP Martin and whatever happened to Ricky Dee.
Oz, Bogarts 1974- when it closed…became not a bad burger bar for a while that used to play AOR sounds.
Hi all. have been suffering a saviar case of nostalgia- blues recently. I think its all to do with the feeling of getting old and with all the ever increasing crap out there today, and all in the guize of popular music and entertainment.. So have been consoling myself by reverting back to all the yesterday years of the late and great timeless classics.
Doors, Purple, Sabbath, The Who, Zepplin, Hawkwind to name only a megar few, and yes… Status Quo (early 67-76 though!!)yer, yer, the forth chored and all that!! Was only drifting back a few day ago, now, that.. With all the weird and wonderful web-sights and AP’s out there today.., I wonder if anyone has thought to post a sight dedicated to Bogie’s…? Well, and to my delightful suprise, you have gone and done just that!
I was also under age when I first discovered Bogie’s through a couple of older friends (78- to the very end.. not long I know)If memory serves.. there were, to my knoweledge.., two in attendants going by the Nick.. of ‘Ozzy’ I was one..! Reading all your entries I could instantly familiarise with so much more than even I could recollect.. For instance, that scruffy little dog that always escorted Martin the DJ on his nights there (..’Rest peacfully Martin!!’ was called Zebardy, poor little fella, also, well long, gone! I remember’The top five’ and got my’n played too, apparently jumping the quew as my brother, who was one of the old school, even for back then, had a word… or something?
Are you curiose yet… as to who he might be? By two seporate accounts I think your describing my brother.. (1) john, the quiet guy always playing the space invader game in the pool room oposite the ‘very!’ short distance from the main foia.. and the guy, John though quiet but who was alsao well pissed…
John thebus pass ?
Hi, Frank. Sorry for the “tiny” time laps in my reply. Yep! That’s him. It was my only initial reason for going to Bogie’s in the first place, was to find him. Remember it being emotional. After not seeing each other for a few years, up until that evening. After that Bogart’s became like a second home. great times ‘Great- Great Times!’
Bogarts was great. The sticky floor was from newkie bottles getting tapped. Many a great night their,Rio,Grapes,The Caravan Club.
Many more names to add to keith pearsalls list comment 5 i think.
Sex Pistols got bottled off the stage on a saturday dinner time, could go on for hours but wont!
Bogarts probably the best place in brum at any time, met Martin the dj there got pretty friendly with Him, very sad he passed so young..
1980 brum, mods started beating up a couple of my friends Not far from Bogies , so what do you do, well run into bogies and sort out a little help..Help at hand With My sort of Friend called THOR..ok, fantastic thanks mate..THOR certainly did help out, hospital for four mods outside bogarts they fell off their hairdryers sorry scooters.Sorry, But don’t ever mess with Bogarts Family that’s how we felt, I was young..Lovely days.miss the place..
Plus I met the girl of my dreams there..Oh she broke my heart, but the memories are still there..Wednesdays were 60′s night…crazy
I’ve put together a website with some of the old music on. A few other folk have helped me with this. Thanks to them.
As you will see, it’s three old sets from the Rio Yardley.
http://rio-grande.webs.com/index.htm
Hi Bogarts people
Can any one remember the glass collector I think his name was Jerry & his call was MIND YOUR BACKS PLEASE,He spent most of his time cleaning up the sick in front of the stage.Good old days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hi, i have very fond memories of Bogarts, was introduced to it by my sister Carrol, the band on that lunchtime was the flys, i think that was how it was spelt, a kind of punk band. That was 1978, 2 years later my own band played a lunchtime gig there, Scorched Earth, there are some photos floating about. Satuday lunch time has never been the same since, pity we cant turn back clocks.
Hi
Does anybody have any photographs of Sex Pistols onstage at Bogarts on 20th September 1976? I don’t think in 23 years of being into the band I’ve ever seen a ‘bona fide Bogarts’. I have the full audio of the show which is surprisingly good quality for a 1976 audience recording. Although John Rotten’s often inaudible, Glen, Paul and Steve once again destroy the McLaren inspired ‘they can’t play’ myth. Please drop me an email at sexpistolsarchive@gmail.com with any info regarding the show as I’d love to hear a first hand account of the event, and a photograph would be the icing on the cake!
On Saturday dinnertimes they would have a band on. The pitch from Bogarts was that if the band came and did a “showcase” free of charge, if the DJ thought they were any good, they would get a paid gig on a Wednesday. I played Saturday gigs three times, and every time we werre told we had passed muster. No gig!! This was twice with Night Service and once with Viking. DJ Lowden Good was so impressed with Night Service he even had us on his show on Radio WM. Still no gig though !!! – Derek Eynon
I can’t mention Bogarts without mentioning those that have passed, especially Martyn the best DJ. I loved 60′s night on a Tuesday.
I also remember the cartoons and the fact it was the only bar knew of that sold milk!!!!
Malcolm Hay’s post mentions the floor which you couldn’t see, for which I am grateful….
No wonder the youth of today are so messed up with no Bogarts, New Street. The Golden Eagle, Hill Street that was a night to remember when that closed. The Hopwood Caravan Club, The Lea Hall Tavern and the Rio on Friday & Sunday nights
lol thanx for bringing the memory of the cartoons back to me,my fave was tom and jerry playing tennis 🙂
Hi all. So good to read all those memories of Bogarts. I worked at the place full-time as a bar/cellarman. I must have started in about 1974 and left to go to Hull University as a ‘mature student’ at the grand old age of 27!!
My memories may be a little different in that it was often very hard work. I had my own keys and went in in the morning to stock the bar. That involved sending crates of beer up a small lift which would take just a few. So I would also grab three crates and carry them up. By up I mean from the back of the Beer Keller!!
Weekends were just manic behind the bar with people three or four deep all clamouring to be served. We usually opened the bar at the top of the stairs on weekends which I used to manage and would often serve. (which is where I was when the Sex Pistols were playing and I saw very little!) I always used to try my best to serve in some sort of ‘first come, first served’ order but it wasn’t always possible. I recall one young woman who always came to me to be served and waited very quietly whilst guys reached over waving their £ notes. Needless to say she was always served first.
I have been trying to remember names but often it was just first name terms. I do remember some of the staff I worked with including Jackie Hands, Kate McGovern, Cherie ??, Bob. Customers included Liz (a kind of biker I think). Lots of others I can see their faces but cannot put a name to them. There was Blackie who was banned again and again – he was a bit of a tough character.
There was a small group who really loved Jethro Tull and had some exquisitely embroidered stuff on their denim jackets. Confession: I got into trouble with one of the guys. I was sat next to his girlfriend on the crowded night-service bus to Kings Norton and she snogged me. Of course, someone saw and reported back. Sorry mate, it was only a kiss
Ricki Dee was the main DJ of whom I could say more but perhaps had better not! For some reason I cannot remember the managers I worked with. There was a slightly older guy with a Mexican droopy mustache, his girfriend was Linda/Lindy. Then the person I worked most with was…. he used to DJ and was good. Really liked working with him – so why cannot I remember his name? We used to go to a Greek restaurant after work sometimes on Broad Street.
Have just joined the FB group so may re-post this I have put a old pic on as my profile pic so if you recognise me then say ‘hi’. If you were one of the people I gave the odd free drink to then you owe me one
Philip
Gosh I was working there the same time as you Phil. One night in the week and then weekends! .Every weekend we went for a Greek after cashing up. I remember one New Year having a bucket of ice in the little glass washing room to soak our feet in . The floor was always swimiming ! I left in 77. We were a hard working lot. Little Nev used to spend ages cashining up. Coming in the next day and bleaching the bar was not much fun thou. I seem to remember “the scorpions”played quite often. Older now but dont think I’m that much wiser! Happy days!
You mentioned the “exquisitely embroidered stuff on their denim jackets” – I did the embroidery! Some of my mates thought it was bloody weird that a guy did this work but it paid handsomely at a time when I needed the money while at FE college! I enjoyed it too, usually copying logos and album art. Once a few were being seen in the club (and I was there 3-4 nights a week), I started to get more requests. I remember this big, angry looking biker coming over to me at one of the tables beside the stage area where I usually sat: I thought he was going thump me but no, he offered me 20 quid to do a (I think) Deep Purple logo on this jacket by the end of the week! I must have done 30 or 40 in the year: Hawkwind, Yes, DP, Zep,
I’d love to know what happened to Ricci Dee; I lost touch in 1979. You refer to Blackie as a tough character, which he certainly was. I was there one night when a drunk started beating on his girlfriend. Despite being an 8 stone weakling, I stepped in between them. When the guy took a wild punch at me, Blackie caught his arm mid swing and marched him downstairs and out the door. I owed him big time for that one.
Just discovered this site and want to say hi to anyone who remembers me from Bogarts. Hi Ginger Janet, saw your post.
I still miss the place and all the great people. First time there I was under-age and was removed in a Police raid and had to go with my dad to Steelhouse Lane to be lectured about what a bad place it was. I took that as an endorsement of true quality venue.
I worked there for a while about 1976 and spent a couple of years of my mis-spent youth there. Sadly lost touch with all when I started work at the Golden Eagle. Never really knew surnames of most people so can’t find them now on Facebook etc.
Saturday afternoons recovering from 3 or 4 pints and a few pernods, in the Pigeon Park, or the cafe in the service area under Oasis with Big John, Ricky, Wendy and others whose names I forget. Then off to a couple of pubs as soon as they opened and back to Bogarts, followed by Barbarellas. pj4000@btinternet dot com
Hi Paul I remember you lol you worked with me at Severn Trent Tame House – you will never forget me lol I had light brown hair down to my ass and a great girl friend lol
Hi Pete
Hope you remember me. We had some good nights at Bogarts,remember your girlfriend Roma,i used to go out with Jo.Are you still shaking your hair to Black Sabbath?
hi Pete been trying to contact you for years get in touch if you get this me old mate , we had some laughed man
hi, Pete if you get this ever please get in touch , think about you loads over the yrs my sister met you once in Litchfield I believe , hope to hear from you your old mate steve Crowley.
paul did you ever get in touch with peter Phillpotts ? I have been trying for yrs am in Ireland for a long time now love to find him my friend any help much appreciated Steve
I remember ICU at the Eagle – Nik Turner chatting to us all. I still have a cassette of their album- Spacer Invaders and Watching the Grass Grow – my faves. I loved going to the Eagle – bar staff were great – the old lady who did the food and the lad who worked the bar, who appeared in a film about how to survive a nuclear war – wish I could remember names.
Then there was Bogarts – I got the knock back from the bouncer on one occasion but me sis, who was 14 – got in – how was that possible!!! (I’m 2 years older!!)
But The Rio – 8.30 Paranoid!!! We had good times there….again I wish I could remember names. I have posted fotos on the Bogarts facebook page – take a look!!
And yes a time machine would be great ‘coz I’d love to have a look back.
Love to you all – Nash xx
ps…. does anyone remember when Garry Sharmen fell from the top of the stairs at the Eagle – I can remember him kind of doing a hand stand on the ledge…….
Great to see Bogart’s get a mention. It was always an excellent venue to see the up and coming bands of the time (and the ones in decline). Anyone recall a band called “Nutz” who were sort of fixtures in the lower order of Festival performers in the early to mid 70′s, never did make it big despite a couple of great albums and a nice live set. I always remember being upstairs in there one Saturday lunchtime and Barry “Eve of Destruction” McGuire wandered in off the street and gave an impromptu performance. Unfortunately the average age of the punters meant that only about 6 of us knew who he was.
Nuts supported queen at Barbarella’s 1974 they crashed queen’s set bollock naked
‘Hello all.’ Thought to check the sight out again after a prolonged silence… Recently went to see Deep Purple at the Hartwell Areana, Finland 7/ 12/ …. You can checkout some of the songs performed on U-tube…. Though I like Purple a lot when I was a teen. I never actually got to see them due to Ol’ Richie’s little mistake with his fender… Close’st I did get to seeing any one of them was Gillan at Barbarellas…. His bassist, a crazy guy with a green flurecent target painted on top of his shaved head… ( boncing with the punks during the altination between rock n punk songs before hand…..) Zepplin at Knebworth… At least seeing most of the original line up was worth the hastle I went through to get the tickets or I would have missed my opotunity completely. A Merry Christmas to you all and a better 2012!
Brilliant times from ’75 till close down can’t remember any names I used to sit stoned on the scaffold happy as a pig in sh*t.Happy days also Hopwood Caravan club,anyone remember Begger they play the Uni circuit Led Zep want to be’s good lads thou.
certainly do remember Gary Sharman doing a nose dive into the Eagle basement, we thought he was a gonner!! He lived to tell the tale though and he’s still as mad as ever! Good times though, Rio friday nights, Beir keller, Bogarts, Eagle, Barberellas saturday nights, Rio sunday nights, Eagle monday nights. It’s a wonderany of us survived!!!
Just found this site and the memories are flooding back. A few pints in the Parisian and then a band at Bogarts.Doctor Feelgood for 10p!!!!!!!!!!! (and we complained ‘cuz we had to pay) The night of the pub bombings brings back big emotions.We had to leave the Parisian and went to Bogarts. Someone from the Tavern came in who had been in trap one when it all went off. He was stoned (strangely eneough!) and didn’t know what had happened, the pan shattered and shredded his flares. I remember Ricki Dee (Smoke on the water every time) but as with others I remember faces but few names.
Does anyone remember Vinegar Joe at Cloggs club with John Peel as the DJ?
Went to Bogarts many times on Saturday lunchtimes circa 1978-80 – saw Quartz quite a few times I seem to recall. Also frequented the Rio in Yardley on Fridays/Sundays eves for great Rock/metal disco. Used to love upsetting the more trad clientele by posing to the Dolls, Aerosmith, Kiss etc. Great atmosphere. Great times.
Of course the Birmingham Odeon was the big one (saw everyone from Rush to The Cramps) – and who remembers Bingley Hall, Stafford? I saw Kiss, ACDC, Boston there (not at the same time!).
Has anyone written a book documenting Birmingham’s great music venues?
Very special memories of Birmingham in the 70s/early 80s.
Does anyone remember a girl called Delvine (I think that was it), at Bogarts ?
Hi. I am still in touch with Delvine if it is the one who came up with Sparrow & Sue, Quinton girls. Mick c
Hiya Bogarteers!
I was the drummer with Ezra Pound (Bogarts, The Railway, Hopton Caravan Club, Golden Eagle, R&Js, Barrel Organ) Glad someone remembers us earlier in posts. Loved the club on a Saturday. Did some Wed gigs too, but always thought the Saturday was better…and jam packed. Melody Maker described us as not knowing if we were Rush, UK, Paul McCartney or 100cc…we knew who we were…Gary, Pete (my brother) and me. Gary is now guitarist in Chicken Shack…but…wait for it….Ezra Pound have been recording new stuff for the first time in 25 years!! Watch this space and the Bogarts Facebook for further news and where you can download the stuff! The Pound are back! Sort of..!!
Long time ago we remember playing Bogarts on a Saturday lunch time as (Bandy Leggs) and then off to to do an open air concert down on the Malvern hills later.It was a warm summers day and truly a great day on both counts,Cant remember the exact year but early70s.The band was made up of 4 members,3 of which are brothers.As we hale from pompey and the gig scene in the midlands was fantastic we settled hear in worcestershire and stayed doing gigs around the country.To this day after many years of playing with different bands we are still writing.although playing covers as a different band as you do ,our hearts are in our writing.We have since had some tapes that were recorded in the 70s as bandyleggs transfered to CD so we can rewrite with new and re-record.Its clubs like Bogarts at the time that helped to introduce alot of bands to the general public.
Wow, hi guys so glad so many people remember the old place, and the eagle as well, don’t know if you remember me but i was the one with the longest hair called mac, anyone remember zit, art, ivor,sue, duchess, and my all time fave elaine aka boot, she taught me all about life, in the nicest way, walked past the old place last weekend ,fond mems, wondering how we could reserect the old pheonix, any ideas would be great, i practicaly lived in the place and remember the nicest family i knew, also crashing at everyones party on saturday nights, still got the bogarts badges anyone remember them, also remember tommy vance, bob harris, doing a gig, also lone star (bells of berlin fame) who stepped in for stan webb and many more bands as well also remember bobby plant at the eagle god remember the big crack up the side of the pub and going down the loo for a pee only to look up and seing people on buses going past the window, anyway got to go if you know boot please contact me via e,mail hope we can get this thing off the ground and rule brum again,ps mine’s a pint of milk do you remember that too ,lol to all,mac hope to speak soon.
martin the dj died many moons ago as did his dog
I have about 40 seconds of super 8 cine film recorded inside bogarts,you see martyn for a second and then a very attractive barmaid.circa 1979/80 and derek the very friendly bouncer,unless you annoyed him lol….sue used to call me pig
Terry.
You need to get that transferred to a digital medium and uploaded here or on Bogarts facebook. Would love to see it
Hello Terry did you ever sort out the bit of film of Bogarts
Has the Facebook page been taken down?
No the Facebook hasn’t closed down, I left a comment on Facebook a few days ago.
Just saying a quick hello to anyone out there that remembers me 🙂
Happy days at Bogarts, Remember seeing the Sex Pistols there, What a crazy night. Also remember the week some of the radio 1 DJ’S turned up. I spent many hours around the Brum scene taking photo’s of a local band called Cryer. I think the main DJ at Bogarts was named Martin. As i commented on Facebook a few days ago God Birmingham could do with a Bogarts now.Seem to remember a certain justice Price closed Boggies down.
Wow what memories.
I meet my future wife there, still married after 33yrs
I remember Rikki Dee (being trying to remember his name for years now)
I to got in underage, but I did look older
I DJayed a couple of times
I used to be sound engineer/roadie for several bands, Bess, Moonknight, Walrus Gumboot and a few others.
I remember a guy nicknamed Blackie a biker I think who used to help himself to any unattended drinks.
Saw Sex Pistols, Stranglers, Little Bob Story and remember that Jim Simpson used to promote a lot of blues nights there.
Like a lot of people I would remember faces not names, also remember that on Sunday eve’s some guys that were involved with Sealed Knot would turn up after a weekends skirmish.
Ian
Blackie is still around in 2016, now rides out with the black Pistons MC, he’s older and uglier than ever was, was one of the bogart bikers that developed into other Birmingham bike clubs of the time,.
Great times , queuing outside to get in ,btls of Newcastle Brown ,Hemling on draught ,we would carry on then to Barbarellas ,but Bogarts was always the best -a great atmosphere ,always someone to talk to ,but only at the far ba,r as you could no hear at the other bar lol.
Great times at Bogarts. Used to go to The Greyhound Cider House first and then Bogarts. There was a Bier Kellr downstairs with oompa bands and the ground floor was a “normal” bar.
Lots of scaffolding, sticky carpets and strobe lights upstairs. Towards the end, they were selling milk and chips up there.
Bogarts was open on Saturday lunchtimes and, I am sure that John Peel did a session there.
The final record of the evening used to be The Winker’s Song (misprint) by Ivor Biggun and the Red Nosed Burglars (aka Doc Cox from That’s Life).
Great place with many happy memories. Sadly missed!
Moved to Brum in 77, & found a little leaflet called “Stepping out in Brum”, I think. Bogarts was listed as pub/club. So we checked it out. Wow!! Never knew a place like it. 2nd time in there, a guy saunters up & says ” Want some Mandies, man?” He turned out to be Declan, who later made Thursday nights amazing by flogging California Sunshine! We (Withered Man) played Bogies one Saturday dinner time, & did a couple of gigs in The Golden Eagle.
The names I can drag out of my goldfish memory are: Big Tom, Bilbo, Kevin & the other Kevin, Irish Don, Julie, Anne, Sue, Caz, Larry, Debbie. Many more I’m sure but can’t retrieve them now.
I was the drunken, drugged up drummer with Withered Man. Along with Andy Flynn, Bernie Shevlin & Martin Orum.
We will never see such a place again, unfortunately! Happy days indeed.
Just found this page and it has brought back great memories.The Parisian. Tavern and Bogarts were favourites. I remember Bogies with the beer kellar and “normal” lounge . Saw Dr. Feelgood for 10p!!! Anybody remember the short lived Cloggs club Thursday nights at the Shamrock club? I saw Vinegar Joe there with John Peel as d.j.Bumped into John in the bog and called him John Cleese. He told me to **** off!
I gotta say that Bogarts was my best years. I practically lived there!
I struggle to remember names but Martin was the best DJ.
I remember an old guy with a beard and round glasses who we used to call the ‘professor.
I tried the large tons of Fosters, and also pints of brown and bitter 🙂
Someone mentioned ‘John’ who used to play Space Invaders, I used to do that, I sussed out how to beat the machine and stay on for ages.
We also had a good doubles bar football team.
Mostly upstairs though, Tuesday night I think, DJ used to play Genesis ‘Foxtrot’ all the way through early evening.
I remember head banging to ‘Freebird’ and falling on to the stage. The following morning I spotted blood all over my flares, I had landed on a glass and not felt a thing.
Some names I recall, Bill Fitzsimmons, Micky Maiden, Barbara Perks, Moss, Terry the big biker, RJ, Camel, Horse and Rama? she used to hang about with the tall long haired biker? Loads more but names fail me.
I remember them fitting new carpet, they used spades to get the old one up just like turf!
Used to go to the Golden Eagle, Barbarella’s, Barrel Organ, Mr Bills, etc..
Saw Babe Ruth at Barbarella’s :))
I still have the Bogarts pendant.
Great times indeed, nothing like it now 🙁
Hi, I remember Bill Fitzsimmons, Micky Maiden, Moss, Billy Harvey, Paul Sabel, Kenny Allen…..Ken passed away some years ago..Tad, Billy Findon, Brian Steel, Rob Griffiths…..I married him, still together after 40 years.
What a brilliant place. Lots of great memories. Rob and I were in there most nights. 1975-77. Saturday lunch times too. Bill Fitzsimmons, Paul, Rob and Terry Henerbry were all in a band together, played at Cannon Hill in 76.
Would be lovely to go back for a while. Good times had by all.
Last time I saw Barbara Perks she had a shop a few doors down from where I lived in Bristol. Small world, eh? I also remember the Sealed Knot guys. Remember the Sex Pistols gig. My crew was Phil Nicholls, Wally , Albert Harrison, Janisis, Loz and Keith, amongst others. We hung out in the Windsor, Barbarellas, the Golden Eagle and Birmingham Uni Students Union. I moved to Bristol in 78. Happy days.
The professor was my uncle John (John Ernest Harvey). He is alive and 88 years old, but is suffering greatly with Alzheimers. I left Brum in 1981 never to return and now live in Cuba. I was about 20 and always went to Bogarts in my suit to join my uncle direct from my job at Midland Bank International – now Waterstones. Nobody else was daft enough to wear a suit there. I remember Martin Reeves and Terry – bikers, Eileen from Stoke, Jasmine and a whole bunch of au pairs. Happy days.
Hi, I’m researching for a motor racing book and looking for information on John Stokes who used to own Bogarts back in the 70’s. I used to be the Mechanic on his Bogarts/Dortmunder Union Beer sponsored Formula Three car. Anyone know where John is now or what happened to Bogarts ?
Paul,
John tells me that someone is writing a book on Stephen South. Is this the same book as you mention? May well be by now you have contact details for John? We would have met when you were mechanic for John and Stephen many moons ago..
You can contact us through the ‘Birmingham Bogarts’ page on Facebook via ‘Sixtyeight Newstreet’
Cheers, Neville Lee.
Audio on You Tube for Walrus Gumboot at Bogarts
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RvQvqkdtE0
Did Les Ross ever D J at Bogarts
No. Les Ross never played Bogarts
DJs at Bogarts were:
Ricki Dee
Roger Kay
John Warwick
Marty Roy
Geoff Morris
Louden Good
Reg Hukins
Odd nights here and there:
John Peel
Bob Harris
Tommy Vance
Annie Nightingale
Simon Bates
Robin Valk
And Arthur the doorman!
I did early 1973 – summer 1975. Marty followed me when I took over as manager for Bogarts..
Neville Lee
Just found this website and its brought back many memories. I went to Bogarts in the early 70’s. I think the Manager was Mick Loy and I was in there the night the Tavern was bombed and I remember clearly, lads coming in with their trousers ripped at the seams They had been in the Tavern. We had to evacuate the place.It was quite scary at the time. I am sure I saw the original “Blue” play there. I was only 16/17 when I started going there but looked about 12 but managed to get in ok. I think we got on with the bouncers ok and one of my friends worked behind the bar for a time. I remember sticking to the floor and the scaffolding. It really was the pits in daylight but I loved it.Saw The Average White Band there and Dr Feelgood.Happy times
Does anyone remember a band called ocean boulevard playing on a Saturday lunchtime a really good covers band and they used to start with Brighton rock by queen zep Bowie robin trower etc
Yes I remember them very well I was on vocals my cousin on drums mick who incidentlley now owns the robin 2 in bilston we also had an excellent lead guitarist called Peter wonton and Gary on a solid base
My band Diamond Head played Bogart’s three times, they would only give us a Saturday lunch time slot and we would receive £5 as payment. It was the first time we played in Birmingham and all valuable experience. I remember it was downstairs and the stick floor also they had posters on the wall of all Humphrey Bogart’s films.
Bogarts. I loved it. Is part of my history. First time I walked in aged about 15 I thought I’d come home. The music playing was Bob Segar ‘ Main Street ‘ the DJ Martin would always play my request which was usually a Bob Dylan track.
Fond memories I’m going to check out the Facebook and see if I recognise anybody .
Wow! Walrus Gumboots! I used to work at the same printing company as Dave Mullen the drummer and Jim Slater the lead guitarist. For those interested, Pete Slater was on bass, and Terry ? On lead vocals and guitar. They were great, I’d love to meet up with them again. They were great.
Yeah – I’m another of those guys who played on a Saturday lunchtime with the band “Leviathan”. (I know we had an article and photo in the evening mail, but cannot remember the date enough to narrow it down for trawling through the archives.) Always had a great atmosphere and remember seeing many great bands there.
Worked behind the bar whilst a student in the late ’70s – still have my silver and black badge – loved it and got paid to be there……………………
Hello – great website, guys! I am researching a gig listed by Chris Cross of Ultravox! who claims to have played Bogarts 76 – 78.
This is for the official John Foxx website at metamatic.com
It doesn’t seem to be listed in your archive. Any ideas?
Thanks
[…] thanks to the Birmingham Music Archive and especially to Jez Collins at the Centre for Media and Cultural Research in Birmingham City […]
We (Bandanna) played there a few times, sticky floor of course and awful toilets!!
I remember Ricky Dee the DJ at the time, it was our 1st gig and he wanted to manage us but we declined. Probably a wise choice.
My abiding memory of the place is “Freebird” and “Framton Comes Alive” which they played to death.
Awesome to find this about Bogarts. Yeah, like everyone else I was also one of the younger crowd there, started going in 1978 when 17. Introduced to it by the then gf who was younger than me actually. Headbanging there, also the Golden Eagle and Yew Tree / Rio of course fully clad in either my awesome Afghan coat or the denim jacket I had for years.
I was rather quiet back then, and used to stick to the floor around the sound system mostly. Can’t remember many names but recall the faces in pictures posted.
Martin the DJ and rocknights were a huge influence in my life musically and caused me to pursue a career in the professional music industry providing sound and production engineering services for some of the biggest name acts globally on world tours. Have slowed down a bit now though..
Truly a fantastic place that has positively affected everyone who ever went there and I wish it were still there today of course. Today’s kids certainly could do with a dose of it!
Going to try and make the reunion in April 2016 as shown on the Birmingham Bogarts facebook events page. No Afghan tho 😉
Love to all and hopefully see some of you again soon.
Bogarts was possibly my first experience of a ‘proper’ night out on the town and getting p***ed. – Early 70s. Abiding memories = Newcastle Brown. Sticky carpets. Upstairs & downstairs. Good friendly atmosphere. But most of all – Great music.
Whenever I’m in New Street I try to place the venue but can’t. What number was it ? What’s there now ?
I went on to become stage manager & lighting engineer at the Night Out Theatre. From Rock to Cabaret. Still love both formats and neither can be found in Brums useless night scene any more.
It’s the office angels now has been for a long time by the post office everything’s changed a lot but I still remember the best nights and weekends of my life when I’m around there hope I’ve jogged your memory. Mac PS I used to have the longest hair there
I remember smoke filled room listening to rock music holding a pint in one hand and a joint in the other whilst head banging to Motorhead… I have one memory of being totally ratarsed standing on the steps leading up to the turntables head banging away when my head connected with some 6 foot +biker dudes head.. (I was pretty lean on them days) we looked at each other smiled and carried on head banging.. I still remember the massive bump on my forehead which lasted days… what a brilliant night..
John Stokes is my uncle and I have heard many stories about this place that I could never share. Never went there myself a bit too young… 🙂
Just saw this when going through old music bars online, went to bogarts, mr bills bier Keller and the rio grande from about 72 to 74, remember the bikers who hung around and guys like big Tom in the top hat, fats black and ringo and the girls lady jane and sloopy, we were all young then the girls 15 or 16, no age worries then. Anyone remember the mean street dealers band, and like others I was in bogarts night of the tavern in the town, terrible night, I’m 62 now, spent my youth in bogarts, you won’t find bars today with scaffolding to sit on, I always went up stairs but there was a ground floor bar area too, used to drink brown and mild then, now don’t drink at all. Great website and interesting to hear people’s memories from 40+ years ago…times change though I wouldn’t want my grand daughters in place line that these days….
Hi all from yesteryear remember most of you not sure if you do about me I had blond hair down to my arse at the time you probably bumped into me as I practically lived there me and my mate Gary used to joke about putting coffins along the walls during the week as it was quiet some nights also remember new years Eve as the place was so rammed you could lift your feet and be carried around the room brum died when it got closed down but their is one woman I could never forget for obvious reasons to me and I would absolutely love to get in contact with if you can remember or still know is Elaine aka boot long red curly hair and really pretty please contact me if you know her mac
Hi Mac. Yes I remember Elaine very well as I shared a flat with her for a number of years. I, too, had long red hair and was also known as “boot”. They were indeed great days, and you will be pleased to know that “Elaine and I are still in contact”. Old rockers never die and my husband and I still go to rock concerts and still love rock music….in this crazy mixed up world
Pure nostalgia reading comments. loved Bogarts. Frequented the place early seventies. The scaffolding! Bitumen like carpet! Heaven. Hopwood caravan park too. Anyone out there remember me please contact.
Stranglers played Bogarts in New Street some time in the first months of 1976. I don’t remember much of the music because we did not stay for the whole gig. This was because Jean Jacques Burnel was so taken with my friends figure ( which was great) he walked off the stage and looked like he was going to grope her breasts. As a fledgling feminist I was highly offended & to be truthful, looking back, probably slightly jealous ( we were only just 18, he was very pretty ) and I made my friend leave. Off we went to some pub that either made its own cider or imported proper scrumpy from the south west, somewhere across town. Can’t remember the name of that pub.
Think it was the Greyhound………cloudy cider was their game…..many hangovers to sully my name😁
You might be interested my short history of Bogarts 1971 to 1981 which is now available as an eBook or print book on Amazon.
I certainly owe a debt of gratitude to this site and the Bogarts Facebook page.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bogarts-New-Street-1971-1981-ebook/dp/B07MBW7SWD/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1549287277&sr=8-1&keywords=bogarts+68+new+street+1971-1981
Bogarts and the Rio Grande, wow those are some names from the past. I was only 14 when I first got into the Rio, and I ended up getting a lift home on someones motorbike! What a place. My parents had a fit! But I went the next week anyway and regular from then on.
Does anyone remember a giant snowball fight on Christmas Eve one year? Outside the Rio. Absoulte classic. There musst have been a hundred or more of us!!!!
Jenny
xx