Birmingham Locarno Modern Room...are You In These Photos?

[Guest woolie mark]

Think this must be about 1980?

[Guest Matt Male]

I didn't know there was a modern room. Do you mean the Bali Hai? I thought it was just disco and jazz funkers so never went in there.

 

I tell a lie, I did pop my head in the door, but to a young lad it looked a bit sexy and adult so was scared to go in.

Edited October 24, 2013 by Matt Male

[Guest woolie mark]

I didn't know there was a modern room. Do you mean the Bali Hai? I thought it was just disco and jazz funkers so never went in there.

 

I tell a lie, I did pop my head in the door, but to a young lad it looked a bit sexy and adult so was scared to go in.

 

The modern room was upstairs mate.

 

I notice that DJ Arthur Fenn....and his "warm up" DJ known as "Sam"....feature in two of the photos. 

 

Interesting to note that Arthur is one of the foundation stones of the forming of the pyramid...and Sam seems to have ducked out?

 

Anyone else have some photos of the Locarno?

 

Where are you Warren Boogaloo...and where are your photos of the Balai Hai?

[Guest Matt Male]

The modern room was upstairs mate.

 

I notice that DJ Arthur Fenn....and his "warm up" DJ known as "Sam"....feature in two of the photos. 

 

Interesting to note that Arthur is one of the foundation stones of the forming of the pyramid...and Sam seems to have ducked out?

 

Anyone else have some photos of the Locarno?

 

Where are you Warren Boogaloo...and where are your photos of the Balai Hai?

 

Ah yeah the upstairs room. Later became the Mod room? Or was it a mod room first and then a modern room?

 

Memory's a bit vague...

Edited October 24, 2013 by Matt Male

[Lovemusic]

The Locarno mid to late 70's

[Guest woolie mark]

also...good spot in the pics is world renowned soul DJ Max Rees....actually in attendence as a punter checking out what were at the time ground-breaking modern soul tunes of the time.

[Guest woolie mark]

The Locarno mid to late 70's

 

Briiliant..love it.

 

Who are these people?  Can you name them?

[Guest woolie mark]

Left to right:

Pat Clugston (from Farnsworth) - Soul Sam - Max Rees - Mark Clugston - not known - Arthur Fenn - not known - not known - is this Julie Rees? - Nigel "tots" Templey - Debbie Smith (once married to Stafford regular Simeon Smith, can't remember her maiden name) - heeeey...it's woolie mark (who thought it was a good idea to grow  a beard?) - Clive Keeler - Sally Martin

[Lovemusic]

I'm in the red top on the left hand side with a bit of a beard (Andrew Love) can't remember the rest although I think they were from Wolverhampton and Bromsgrove. This was taken a few days after the IRA bombing in the pub round the corner.

[Lovemusic]

Pat and Mark are from Farnworth , Bolton (They'll get upset if you misspell their hometown).

[Guest woolie mark]

Pat and Mark are from Farnworth , Bolton (They'll get upset if you misspell their hometown).

 

oops...sorry Pat and Mark

 

grovel...grovel...grovel

[Arthur Fenn]

6th from left is i think Dave Sinclair who now lives in Melbourne, crazy days 8-) 

[Mal C]

Locally the Lacarno is remembered as being a Sunday night for middle aged singletons, had some mate that used to go up there to pull quite regularly, one Scooter boy from the E types, wont mention his name, once went home with what he thought was a dazzling middle aged woman, only to discover a wee bit more...!!

 

Great Pictures folks, I'm a child of the 8ts so well before me, but its good to see any History from Birmingham, as its gets neglected..

 

Mal.C

Edited October 25, 2013 by Mal.C.

[Jordirip]

Great days for me when I moved down to Walsall from Yorkshire back in 1980, to find an oasis in Brum. Always loved the all dayers on a Sunday. I never knew about a modern room upstairs though, just the main hall and the 'exotic' Bali Hai' room which had amazing jazz funk dancers in and was always worth poking your head in for a look even if you wouldn't dare try dancing.

[Seano]

Used to like going up to the all dayers too. Pretty sure it was where I first heard Soul Sam playing Billy Nichols 'Diamond Ring', and first listened to Skip Mahoney and the Casuals 'Janice'. Bought Jimmy Jones 'Ain't nothing wrong makin' love the first night' on a tip from a friend, still a great track.

I do remember the jazz funk room too, as mentioned above, awesome dancing and very intense atmosphere.

[Agentsmith]

birmingham locarno all-dayers were run under several guises including the WEST MIDLAND SOUL CLUB and latterly, the NOTTS & LEICESTER SOUL CLUB.....in birmingham?   which, was courtesy of TERRY SAMPSON & CHRIS KING. chris was also at the time running a gig in tamworth and was also prominent at the redditch all-nighters which were held at the queen vic ballroom ( correct? ). i distinctly remember two rooms...don't know about a modern room...or i simply wasn't aware...the BALI HI was a very popular back room with upfront jazz-funk, PEP would dj in there as well as the main room, along with NOEL TILLEY, can't recall the other djs. MICK DERRY used to get regular spots in the main room....this man had some unbelievable tunes...many of which found their way to the casino....but he played them FIRST...even remember seeing the late NEV WHERRY doing a spot in there...that was something!. the revival in the first decade of the millenium just didn't happen...personally i thought the decor had changed too significantly and lost much of it's atmosphere...remember this place used to get rammed on sundays. i don't think you can catagorize the locarno as a place which had big tunes associated with it...it was as much as anything, another place to go if you wanted something extra on top of your dose of weekly casino and, outside of the tiffany's ballrooms, the civic & wulfrun halls & the lafayette, the LOCARNO was probably the biggest deal in the midlands. ( the cats had shut several years earlier ) live acts included EDWIN STARR & JUNIOR WALKER.

Edited October 25, 2013 by AGENTSMITH

[TOAD]

Two rooms at first then a mod room and for a short time it was modern

[Guest Cluggy]

God ,just seen these pics,happy days .the gang forming the human pyramid are from Bolton apart from a few,arthur being one,SAMs probably at the back hiding.not got a very good memory but never forget the Locarno ,used to get there packed into the back of a transit van driven by our pats mate who was a rocker,don't remember him coming inside the venue but might be wrong,anyway without him we probably wouldn't have got there.i know our pats got loads of photos from that venue so I'll try to get them,cheers

[Guest wigan bob]

sure the lad kissing the other lads ear is david hulmes

[Guest Cluggy]

I'm on the top to the left,to the left of me is Diane ,not sure of her last name then but she later married Pete odlum who I'm knelt on,our pats to the right,Arthur's at the bottom(being the strongest) to the right of Arthur was his good friend back then mario,Can't remember some of the others.sadly it was peters funeral today god bless him.back in the day there used to be a gang of about twenty of us who used to go everywhere together.we all have great memories and thanks to the person who started this thread I'm remembering some of mine with people who I'll not forget

[Jordirip]

 live acts included EDWIN STARR & JUNIOR WALKER.

 

I saw Gil Scot Heron and Brian Jackson down there also, great gig!!

[Guest Little Anthony]

Used to go to sunday all-dayers 1978-1979:  DJ line up in main room was Cockney Mick, Clive Jones, Pep, Chris King + Brian Rae, with occasional guests.  I remember Dave Evison having his Ford Capri either nicked or broken into outside and having a load of records nicked.  Best night was a one-off allniter, on Boxing Night 1979.

The upstairs mod room started to cash in on the revival in '79.  Must have stopped going before it became the 'Modern Room'.  Bali-Hi room was for Jazz-Funk.  Although I do remember on one occasion them outnumbering the 'northern' fans and swapping rooms with the main room....

Edwin Star was on there on Sunday, but he was on so late that I would have missed the last train home so missed him :-(

[Triode]

Just like to offer my condolences to family and friends of Pete Odlum a truly nice guy god bless and rest in peace Pete.

Regards

Paul

[Agentsmith]

Used to go to sunday all-dayers 1978-1979:  DJ line up in main room was Cockney Mick, Clive Jones, Pep, Chris King + Brian Rae, with occasional guests.  I remember Dave Evison having his Ford Capri either nicked or broken into outside and having a load of records nicked.  Best night was a one-off allniter, on Boxing Night 1979.

The upstairs mod room started to cash in on the revival in '79.  Must have stopped going before it became the 'Modern Room'.  Bali-Hi room was for Jazz-Funk.  Although I do remember on one occasion them outnumbering the 'northern' fans and swapping rooms with the main room....

Edwin Star was on there on Sunday, but he was on so late that I would have missed the last train home so missed him :-(

spot on bro,...cockney mick, don't know why but i used to think that was a reference to mick smith but apparently not!...clive jones...now that's a name that ain't been heard on the scene for years..a bit of a mick.h of his day...had a great playbox...think THE tunes were with pep though. think edwin actually played the locarno all-dayers twice.

[Agentsmith]

I saw Gil Scot Heron and Brian Jackson down there also, great gig!!

well rub it in bro!

[Mark R]

Unmistakeably Maxwellian Rees!!

Cheers,

Maark R

[Agentsmith]

didn't chris plant & steve porter ever dj there?

[Mark R]

spot on bro,...cockney mick, don't know why but i used to think that was a reference to mick smith but apparently not!...clive jones...now that's a name that ain't been heard on the scene for years..a bit of a mick.h of his day...had a great playbox...think THE tunes were with pep though. think edwin actually played the locarno all-dayers twice.

If you check my Mixcloud or find the direct link to it in audio/radio etc, I have a recording of Clive Jones at Hinckley all nighter posted up there.....1983.

Cheers,

Mark R

Edited October 26, 2013 by Mark R

[Steve G]

spot on bro,...cockney mick, don't know why but i used to think that was a reference to mick smith but apparently not!...

 

Blimee Chalk and cheese!.....Saw Cockney Mick / Deadeye Dick last year.....still around.....though not in the best of health.

[Louise]

Last time I saw Mick Webb was at a modern do of Lenny Dobson's in Wellingboro'

Mick and his wife spent the whole night playing crib !

Dave

[Sheldonsoul]

I remember coming back from Wigan and going the alldayer as I live in birmingham, and I remember a couple of soulies shagging under the stairs by the cloakroom and a few few people gathering round to watch the action lol think the bouncer threw a bucket of water over them

[Veedub]

I remember coming back from Wigan and going the alldayer as I live in birmingham, and I remember a couple of soulies shagging under the stairs by the cloakroom and a few few people gathering round to watch the action lol think the bouncer threw a bucket of water over them

I too went to the alldayers after Wigan, and i remember that !!!     I think they got thrown out !  

[Lionelonthevinyl]

I got the train over from nuneaton to this when I was very young, to hear what this...northern soul thing was about....remember asking someone what record was being played and he said it was frankie valli + the 4 seasons..the night...I thought what a nob head me dad likes them, he hasn't got a clue.....oh well you live and learn! What an experience though......Rob

[spin]

Great daze...........remember doing wigan , locarnos & Romeo & Juliets over a wkend.....yate soulies on tour

[Pip Smith]

That's probably me at the top of the pyramid.  I did have a photo of me at the top of the pyramid in the pub next door with the Stafford/Cannock crowd, Ric Tic was probably there.  Pyramids had started at the Mecca, but I think were borrowed from southern funk venues like the Goldmine.  It would have been around 1977.  I don't think I recognise anyone in this picture though, but have vague memories of joining a pyramid in what would have been then the Mecca Room which was downstairs.  I hadn't come up with the term Modern Soul until Easter 1980 to put in our ads for the Oak in Shrewsbury, so it definitely wasn't called the Modern Room at the point, indeed the Modern Room when it opened was upstairs..  I do recall the Professor from Church Stretton (rip) suggesting that I would dance to Kool and the Gang next and buying an album by them the next day.  Happy Days.

[Soul Shrews]

Now I look at that picture again it does look like you Pip

I only remember Sam & Arthur DJing there but must have been more I guess ?

Cheers Paul

[Whiskyagogo]

On 28/10/2013 at 04:59, Lionelonthevinyl said:

I got the train over from nuneaton to this when I was very young, to hear what this...northern soul thing was about....remember asking someone what record was being played and he said it was frankie valli + the 4 seasons..the night...I thought what a nob head me dad likes them, he hasn't got a clue.....oh well you live and learn! What an experience though......Rob

[Pip Smith]

On 11/05/2020 at 02:01, Soul Shrews said:

Now I look at that picture again it does look like you Pip

I only remember Sam & Arthur DJing there but must have been more I guess ?

Cheers Paul

Yes my wife Melly is sure it is me, even though she wasn't born then (I'm lying she was a baby).  I don't remember the t-shirt, but I was always borrowing clothes from my flat mates.  Thinking about it there was only one room then, no Mecca Room as I suggested, the Jazz Funk Room was later.  So the photo was either taken near the entrance, where Chris Savory had a record bar, or at the back close to where the Jazz Funk Room later opened.  I think it may have been the day I met Dot from the Butts, who use to run the Wolverhampton coach to the Oldies, I think she moved to South Africa?

[Mick Holdsworth]

 

On 24/10/2013 at 21:07, woolie mark said:

Think this must be about 1980?

That's me on the back row, 6th from the left (black top). I mostly did downstairs, but came in on the upstairs modern room. I don't think it lasted too long though, maybe 5 or 6 months ?

[Len]

On 15/06/2020 at 12:21, Mick Holdsworth said:

 

That's me on the back row, 6th from the left (black top). I mostly did downstairs, but came in on the upstairs modern room. I don't think it lasted too long though, maybe 5 or 6 months ?

Is that 'Max Rees' bottom left?

Top bloke! 

Len 

[Mick Holdsworth]

Not sure but I think so, taking it as literally third from left, just past Sam.

 

[Eddie Hubbard]

I remember Arthur playing what was probably the 2nd copy of Mike Jemison “ You’ll never get my love “ in that room upstairs .It was great while it lasted ...

[Merve]

4 hours ago, Eddie Hubbard said:

I remember Arthur playing what was probably the 2nd copy of Mike Jemison “ You’ll never get my love “ in that room upstairs .It was great while it lasted ...

Fantastic Record !...... As are most of his.

Went to The Locarno a few times but can't remember a modern room. Mind you it was usually on the back of a nighter so don't remember much to be fair 

[Gazza]

I was the very first DJ in the mod room. We all went, one Sunday and the DJ never turned up. The owner announced to us all in the entrance that the mod disco will have to be cancelled, unless anyone can operate decks. My two mates piped up that I could (I used to dj at our school youth centre!). He asked me if I could do it and some local mods/modettes went home to get some records for me to play. I had laryngitis at the time but the owner wasn’t bothered. He said just play music. He paid me £10 an hour and I did it regular from then on. It only lasted for a short time though. I’ve got my name on an album. It’s a northern soul album. I think it was called “Best of Locarno”. It’s a double album and on the inside cover there’s a load of flyers. My name is spelt wrong (one r). It says Gary and Kenny (my old mate Kenny Hickman). Great memories.

[Woodbutcher]

On 24/10/2013 at 21:07, Guest woolie mark said:

Think this must be about 1980?

"Rambler" from Cambridge right at the back with the 'tache ... 

[Wilxy]

We used to do the  Locarno, via the Yate all-nighter and stop off at home in Newport ( for a couple of hours,) then get the train up to Birmingham on several occasions in 1978. I only remember one room being open, but recall one occasion when a Jazz-Funk set was played by one of the Dj's (can't remember who) and there was a protest by the "Northern Soul" attendees who sat down on the dancefloor.....

[Olivernorth]

I regularly went 76/77 Sunday night/dayers dont recall bali high been open only main room and numbers could sometimes be low  in those years as l recall