Formed in the late 1980’s, The Bureau line-up originally consisted of former Dexy’s Midnight Runners’ members: *Geoff Blythe (tenor sax) *Spooner (alto sax) *Stoker (drums) *Pete Williams (bass) *Mick Talbot born 11 September 1958, London (keyboards) and members from The Upset: *Archie Brown (vocals) *Rob Jones (guitar and trombone) *Paul Taylor (trombone) The Bureau’s debut… Read More »The Bureau
Broadcast are an electronic music band, from Kings Heath in Birmingham who Formed in 1995. Members: *Trish Keenan (vocals) *Roj Stevens (keyboards) *Tim Felton (guitar) *James Cargill (bass) Various drummers have played with the band including Keith York, Phil Jenkins, Jeremy Barnes, Steve Perkins and Neil Bullock. Their style is a mixture of electronic sounds… Read More »Broadcast
Black Sabbath are a heavy metal band from Birmingham, formed in 1968. The original line-up consisted of: *Ozzy Osbourne (lead vocals) *Tony Iommi (guitar) *Geezer Butler (bass guitar) *Bill Ward (drums and percussion) Tony Iommi and Bill Ward wanted to form a heavy blues band in Aston, Birmingham following the breakup of their previous band,… Read More »Black Sabbath
Bentley Rhythm Ace (BRA) are a duo formed in Birmingham in 1995. Members: *Richard March born 4 March 1965, in York (bassist) *Mike Stokes (keyboardist) The band was formed by March, a former member of the group Pop Will Eat Itself (see under artists). Their live drummer was Fuzz Townshend, with whom March previously played… Read More »Bentley Rhythm Ace
The Beat formed in the working class suburbs of industrial Birmingham in 1978.Their songs are a mix of ska, pop, soul, reggae and punk rock, and their lyrics deal with love and political topics. The original line-up consisted of: *Ranking Roger (vocals) *Dave Wakeling(vocals) *Andy Cox (guitar) *David Steele (bass) *Everett Morton (drums) Papa Saxa,… Read More »The Beat
Pato Banton was born Patrick Murray in London in 1961 and moved to Birmingham when he was eight-years-old. His step-father, Lester Daley was a DJ from Jamaica and used to hold illegal parties in the family home at which Banton worked on the door as a lookout from the age of nine. Banton earnt himself… Read More »Pato Banton
Named ‘Balls’ by ex-Move guitarist Trevor Burton as a cheeky publicity stunt, the band originally consisted of: *Trevor Burton (vocal, guitar) born Trevor Iresin on 9 March 1944, Aston Birmingham *Steve Gibbons (vocal, harmonica) from Harbourne, Birmingham *Keith Smart (drums) *Denny Laine (bass guitar, vocal) Trevor left The Move and teamed up with The Ugly’s… Read More »Balls
When Gerry’s Mother realised he was serious about music, she went into Westwoods Music in John Bright Street, Birmingham and bought Gerry a Hofner Committe guitar. One of the first gigs he played was at the Youth Club in Perry Barr, Birmingham with John Watson, his brother’s friend. By the age of 14, Gerry had… Read More »Gerry Levene and the Avengers
Singer, songwriter and guitarist Joan Anita Barbara Armatrading, was born December 9, 1950 in Basseterre on the Caribbean island of St. Kitts in the West Indies. She moved with her family to Birmingham in 1957 and taught herself to play piano and guitar. By the age of 14, she had began writing lyrics and music.… Read More »Joan Armatrading
The Applejacks were the first local band to make an impact in the music industry, with a number seven hit in the UK Singles Chart in 1964. Members:*Al Jackson (vocal) born Harry Llewellyn Jackson on 21 April 1945, Birmingham*Martin Thomas (lead guitar) Baggott born 20 October 1947, Birmingham*Philip Peter Cash (rhythm guitar) born 9 October… Read More »The Applejacks