Satisfaction is
guaranteed for Rolling Stones fans Sunday 15 September at King’s
Heath’s mini festival featuring over 5 hours of Rolling Stones music to
celebrate the 56th Anniversary of their first ever performance in
Birmingham at King’s Heath’s
old Ritz Ballroom on York Road. The day after making their 1963
Birmingham debut before hundreds at the tiny ballroom they returned to
London to perform before thousands at the Great Pop Prom at the Royal
Albert Hall.
Starting at 3 pm at Fletchers Bar directly opposite the fire
damaged ruins of the old ballroom local musicians will perform their
favourite Rolling Stones songs the event will end with an evening
concert by Europe’s No 1 tribute band The Stones at
the Hare & Hounds.
Formed in London in 1962 by Brian Jones after he met up with Mick Jagger and Keith Richards who had been childhood friends, the Rolling Stones started out as a blues group taking their name from the title of a song by Muddy Waters. For the whole of 1962 they played exclusively in the London area. But all that changed on 7 June 1963 after they released their first single a cover of Chuck Berry’s “Come On”. Just a few months later on 14 September 1963 they played one of their first ever gigs outside London and their first ever in Birmingham at King’s Heath’s now sadly burnt down Ritz Ballroom. Joining Brian, Mick and Keith on the tiny stage were Bill Wyman and Charlie Watts. Immediately afterwards they had to hurriedly return to London to get ready to open the Great Pop Prom in an afternoon concert at the Royal Albert Hall! And when they next returned to Birmingham the following year they played the much larger venues of the Hippodrome and the Town Hall before going on to become onto become the world’s greatest Rock and Roll Band selling over 200 million albums.
From 3 to 6 pm a great line-up of local musicians including
Acoustica, Acoustic Sunset, Dog Walker, Harmonica Bob and Oz, Matilda
Pratt, Mr Apollo, Matilda Pratt, The Guest List and Tim Walkerdine
will perform their interpretations of classic Rolling Stones
songs at Fletchers Bar & Eatery directly opposite the burnt down
ruins of the old Ritz Ballroom ranging from early blues classics like
I’m A King Bee and Route 66 through to Jagger/Richards
penned hits like Jumpin’ Jack Flash, Honky Tonk Women and Paint It
Black!
Tickets cost just £5 in advance from the Kitchen Garden Cafe, £5.50 from www.wegottickets.com/event/476536
or £6 on the door if any are left.
At 7 pm doors will then open at the award winning Hare & Hounds for an evening concert starting at 7.45 pm by Europe’s No 1 tribute band The Stones who regularly perform at major venues throughout this country, Europe and the World! They are a great band in their own right bringing to the stage all the energy and excitement of a live Rolling Stones concert. A recent performance at Chesterfield’s Winding Wheel Theatre was described as “The Rolling Stones recreated to absolute perfection!”.
First 30 tickets advance tickets cost just £6.60 from
The price will then increase to £8.80 or £10 on the door if any are left.
Joint organisers Bob Prew and Ken Whittaker said
It is quite amazing to think that The Rolling Stones Birmingham debut took place in a tiny venue on a KIng’s Heath side street but the owners of the Ritz Ballroom, Ma and Pa Regan, had a real eye for spotting up and coming talent and had already put on The Beatles earlier in 1963. While the ballroom burnt down several years ago, we are determined that it’s legacy should live on. KIng’s Heath’s York Road will be rocking again on Sept 15 to the sounds of the greatest rock’n’roll band in the world. Satisfaction is guaranteed to all those who come on down to help celebrate andcommemorate The Rolling Stones Birmingham Debut.
Further InformationBob Prew – 0121 689 2360/07779 782240 or Ken Whittaker on 0121 443 5237
King’s Heath Walk Of Fame is a small charity that aims to celebrate
King’s Heath’s amazing musical, cultural and sporting heritage through
pavement stars, wall plaques and live events so as to inspire young
people to become the stars of the future!
www.kingsheathwalkoffame.org.uk
Attached: Event Poster
Photo taken on 15.9.63 of The Rolling Stones on stage at the Great Pop Prom at the Royal Albert Hall