The Rainbow Suite was a very large and well attended venue, which was situated above the Co Op in the centre of Birmingham. It was accessed by a lift, which was a wonderful situation for bands carrying in the then standard 4×12 speaker cabinets which weighed one and a quarter hundredweight (the same as a 3×2 paving slab). As roadie for Ultra Sound I worked there many times on Saturday nights, sharing the bill with numerous other bands. I recall working with Linda Lewis and her band Ferris Wheel, and particularly liked working with Orange Bicycle. I recall turning up one night to find Raymond Froggat’s gear set up on stage. They had a heavily modified 18 string guitar with chess pieces on the machine heads, and a piece of twisted wire cable roughly attached with eyebolts, to keep its neck straight. The sound from that guitar was awesome, but that night they failed to turn up, so I never heard it, and it was not featured on the Callow La Vita record, which was another great disappointment.
The venue was run by Dougie Thompson, who was unfortunately killed in his day job as factory foreman, when a rack of steel fell on him.
Thanks to Barrie for sending this in. Please, add more memories, photos, gigs etc to the page!
We,’ The Powerhouse Trinity’ and prior to that as ‘The Hangmen’. performed at The Rainbow on many occasions. I remember admiring the vocal talents of Tony Rivers and the Castaways. We had to put the hammond organ on it’s side in the lift, But, that was easier than having to carry it up flights of stairs, which we had to do at the Ballroom in Gold St, Northampton!
Further to Tomace Lane’s comments about moving a Hammond.
I do recall a band turning up at The Rainbow Suite with a very new Hammond portable literally hacked in two, with a very erratic ripsaw cut giving a wavy line and splintered veneer. The very many thin and vulnerable wires were cobbled together with a number of multi connectors with no covers or strain relief to prevent damage.
I don’t recall who they were, but they must have been quite rich as I recall a friend buying the same organ in 1967 for £999.
To give some perpective, in 1971 a new Vauhall Viva car (the Coke bottle shape) was £709.
My remaining brain cells have formed a committee, and I have remembered a little more about The Rainbow Suite. There was really nice resident Stage Manager there called Alan. He used to get a rest when Ultra Sound were on as we used to have our own lights, which I literally “played” to match the mood and tempo of the music.
Alan used to feel lost without his stage light duties, and one night asked to have a go with ours, as he wondered how I got so much out of so little.
Alan would have some amazing stories to tell about who worked there if anyone knows where he can be found. If he can be tracked down I would love to meet him again and buy him a pint or two.
My dad was dougie thompson who ran the rainbow suite. My mom is now 80 and still going strong. Wed love to hear Any memories.
Kay would love to get in touch with Brian if poss
Hi Keith just came across this site and saw your post. Brian T was my dad. He took over the running of the Rainbow Suite after his brother ‘Doug Thompson’ died in an accident at work. Brian T continued to run the Rainbow Suite along with the Mayfair Suite, the Cinephone picture house and other promotions in the city. Brian sadly passed away in 2005. He had a great following in Birmingham throughout the 1970s and even promoted bands like the Faces and Led Zeppelin at the Mayfair. The Rainbow Suite was known for its Reggae music nights and Brian famously helped to launch John Holts career launch in the Uk with his first Uk tour. I fondly remember playing football with my dad and John Holt on our lawn at Home during his stay with us. Such happy times.
Wow – just reading all these posts about the Rainbow Suite. I used to go there as a teenager and remember Brian T the DJ…I have lived in Sydney since 1974 but still have great memories of the Rainbow. Maybe Kay has some info on what happened to Brian T.
Hi my name is Phil Webster I was a resident at Summerfield crescent in Edgebaston owned by Elsie Armstrong.Beryl once took me to have my driving test,I knew dougie and beryl very well and used to go to the Rainbow regularly,they were great times and happy memories
I went to the Rainbow Suite on a Saturday night quite a few times in 1966/67, really loved the atmosphere. It was quite an unusual venue with a coridor running round the outside of the dance hall if I remember rightly and the bar was off the corridor on one side.
Saw some good bands play there, the Craig, Wellington Kitch, Listen (Robert Plant was lead singer) and others I can’t remember now! In between the bands being on they always played really good records to dance to, Motown and Soul, not the usual chart stuff.
Discovered the Rainbow Suite about 1967 onwards, had just got into ska/reggae thanks to Prince Busters -Alcapone.
My mate George Tucker and I were glass collectors…best job ever £3 and free beer.
We got Dougie to put on The Skatalite after seeing them in Margate, only about a dozen people turned up, great band still going today.
Often used to play some reggae in the bar while DJ Spencer took a break.
Loved all the ladies there….well not all of them.
Bands seen include, Linda Lewis, Georgie Fame, Peddlars, lots of local bands.
Sometimes the Oka restauraunt over the road was used, nice and dark with a low ceiling with all the best soul music played. Best times ever at these venues.
I don’t know if Linda Lewis worked there more than once, but when Ultra Sound shared the bill with her it would have been possibly 1968, but probably 1069.
Great memories. I used to go to the Rainbow on Saturday nights in 1970 while still at school.
I remember queuing up on the stairs and an outside balcony area to have a drink of, pint of bitter and lime.
I recall the Emperor Rosko doing a midweek DJ show approximately May 1970.
Bob and Marcia, “Young gifted and black” was a favourite tune at the time and Jackson five ABC had just been released.
I don’t recall any punch-ups which used to happen at a lot of the other places like the Mayfair Suite.
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I wish I could go back again tomorrow to when I was 16 and have another great night at the Rainbow.
I used to go to the Rainbow too in the 70’s. Do you remember a guy called “Maggie” His
real name was Gerald McGuire and also a guy named Kevin Whitlock?. I have since moved to Canada but would love to get in touch with these guys. I loved the Rainbow and went for many years.
The Rainbow Suite was the first night club that I attended1970/72. I then progressed to the Top Rank suite. The pubs we use to use prior to making our way to the clubs were The Cabin, The CosterMonger and The Wandering Minstrel and last but not least The Tavern In the Town (R.I.P)
Walking through Birmingham City now all has changed but the locations of clubs and pubs bring back happy memories and goodtimes
I had many a good night at the rainbow in the late 6os still see a lot of old faces now they were great times
Used to dj there in the early 70’s used to do reggae nights on Saturday’s loved it , I remember a Brian Thompson running it not sure if related to Dougie …tried to contact Brian but no luck
Is that Keith of Keith Kay and John Jinks?
Yes Brian is Doug’s brother
Alan thank you for reply is Brian still around as I would love to say hello .
It will be okay to use my e mail address I now work at hospital radio in stafford
Best
Keith Kay
Absolutely loved the Rainbow and the reggae music pounding out , seen loads
of fighting, one night chaps coming out the club took on road workers outside
very violent, names from the past Bobby Deppa, Jumbo, Mickie O Hearn
I used to go to the rainbow suit every Thursday, because Thursday nights was disk o tek and i only liked dancing to the latest club sounds..1966 to 1967. The vast majority of the chaps mega smart , Light weight suits, colour and tie. extremely smart. The DJ had a Hocken sound system which used to sound fab, When playing , Atlantic, Stax , Mowtown, Ska & Rocksteady. I think it used to cost 3 shillings to get in on a Thursday. Thats, wait for it. Yes iv just double checked. 15 p new money. I was skint back then, An Apprentice but i could afford to go dancing in Birmingham every night of the year. Great Days. John.
Jumbo & Micky O’Hearn are familiar names to me. Used to go there on Saturday nights 67/ 70
I remember Jumbo and Micky O’Hearn blast from the past. Happy days.
I was a pot man at the Rainbow one of the best Saturday nights in the club was when Henry Cooper put Cassius Clay on his backside but unfortunately lost the fight by Clay getting extra corner time after his glove was cut.
I was a mate of the two big door staff brothers I think one was called John. Great nights, if only the clock could be turned back.
Went to the rainbow in the late 60`s my sister Maureen Kelly neigh Roberts her husband Kevin`s best mate was Micky Spicier who was the dj in the bar He would Let Me Fill in for Him On occasions when had a loo break great memories
Love working at the rainbow
Wow loved reading everybodys comments about the Rainbow. I used to go up there on a Saturday night with my friend Marie. Remember the dj Brian T. Sad to see he has passed away he played some great tunes. Wish I could turn the clock back 45 years and walk up those stairs again one more time. Happy memories
Went to the Rainbow Suite quite often. It was a great venue. You could go onto the roof and I had a break up with my boyfriend there. He made me take off my ring and he threw it across the roof. I had to contact the building services who let me in during the day to go and look for it – no luck. My memories are bittersweet.
loved the rainbow.saw the walker brothers there.k new dougie and kay, she took me to the driving test centre for my driving test.Great times the sixties.Devastated when Dougie left us Anybody remember his alsatian?Phil Webster. Used to live at The Grove Hotel with Frank and Elseie
Made a mistake with a name.Should have said Beryl took me to the driving test centre.She was Dougies wife.Sorry about that Phil Webster
I was a Saturday night regular 1970-72 . Lift to 4th floor. Admission 7/6 . Tubby Stan and Dave Spicer were DJs. Massive reggae venue unlike my absolute favourite Metro on Sunday. A revelation. Happy memories. All men clothed by Nelson House .
I used to go to the Rainbow Suit every Thursday night 1967, On one accation the DJ played , Hold on im coming by, Brother Jack Macduff on his fantastic Hocken sound system. I dashed out the next Satured to the Diskery and brought it. But when i played it on my danesette record player it wasn’t the same. There was something missing.Fantastic days. I used to go to the Locarno every monday. Top Rank every Tuesday. Le Metro every Wednesday. Rainbow Suit every Thursday. every Friday the Heartbeat. Every Saturday The plaza, rookery rd. Every Sunday back to the Heartbeat. I reckon 10 bob a night. Fab.
Just found this mine of old memories – great! Yes, I remember Brian T, Thursday’s at the Rainbow Suite above the Co-op, Mondays the Locarno, Sats the Hole in the Wall, Sundays the Mayfair Suite, etc. Fab times!
Loved the Rainbow.Used to go most Thursday and Saturday nights with my mates. Had some great times listening to Tubby Stan as the DJ.
Always remember the dance hall splitting into Villa and Blues fans when he played Harry J’s Liquidator, but don’t remember too much trouble!
Great times.