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From Orchid to the Kasbah
Wind things back to the early 60’s, and the building that stands at 51 Primrose Hill Street; had just finished it time as the Majestic Ballroom, It has just become the Orchid Ballroom. To be ran by entrepreneur Larry Page.
You see this building is a true time capsule in local rock music terms, it’s a constant, while places like the Coventry Theatre and Tiffanies came and went. This building still continues to host live entertainment for a new generation.
Larry Page was a former pop singer, who’s career had been less than dynamic. He had retired from the business, only to be coaxed out of it by Eric Morley, he had been converting cinemas into Ballrooms and the Orchid was one of them. Larry came in as the manager, and soon began to make his mark on the Ballroom. Opened in 1963, The Orchid became a place of live entertainment (as well as the obligatory bingo sessions). It is well documented that Larry would build a roster of local artists, including The Pickwicks, Shel Naylor, Johnny B. Great and the Goodmen and the schoolgirl trio named after the Ballroom, the Orchids, being mainly winners of the various talent competitions Larry hosted at the Orchid.. The venue wasn’t just about local artists however, many chart acts played there, including The Kinks and The Walker Brothers. Owner of Shoe Kings in Coventry Market, Bill Duffin remembers the Walker Brothers appearing there. “It was around 1963” Bill recalls,” A Sunday night, I was 16, I remember their backing band was the Quotations, and it was just great music. They had two drummers on stage, and what I most remember is that you could actually hear the Walker Brothers singing. That was rare in the 60’s, as most of the time the screams from the girl fans made listening to pop bands very difficult to say the least”.
The building fell from grace in the 70’s, and by 1987, it had became a bingo club. That was until 1990 when TiC ToC (Theatre in Coventry Theatre of Coventry), took the building over, and made it a live venue once again. Jon Gaunt (now famous for being a shock-jock and his regular TV appearances) headed-up the project. When it opened, it looked to be all things, to all men, promising to be far more than just a nightclub. For two years it fulfilled it’s promise, with live entertainment from the likes of Squeeze, Julian Cope and much more. Coventry ska giants The Selecter played the venue a number of times, and recorded a live album there, and for a while Jerry Dammers had a DJ residency at the club. Sadly the Tic Toc began to suffer financial problems, and despite a large influx of cash from the Council, it closed in 1992. Many protested, including a rake of Two Tone stars, that manifested into a benefit concert for and at the venue that included Jerry Dammers with a band they named The Cosmics. The concept of the original Tic Toc was soon picked up again, and under new management it became TiCToCII. Like it’s predecessor, it’s failed to sustain such a diverse variety of styles and by 1993, it was all over for that particular venue.
Of course, it was far from the end of the story for 51 Primrose Hill Street, reinvention is the name of the game here, and 1995 the place was ready for it’s next chapter in Coventry musical history and the Colosseum (or Colly) was born. With the dynamics of promoter Rich Elms, the venue began clawing back the city’s reputation as a live venue. During it’s lifespan hosting names like Babyshambles, Super Furry Animals, The Artic Monkeys and The Lemonheads. It also excelled as a club, hosting The Groovy Garden and various other themed nights.
In 2007, Coventry’s very own chart toppers The Enemy, helped put the Colly well on the music map, with a emotional homecoming that included former Special Neville Staple. The gig was formed the basis of a documentary of the band, and in the winter of 07 The Enemy included the venue in another BBC documentary that has never aired, on the rise of the band. The venue also provided the trio with the title of their chart topping album, We’ll live And Die In These Towns. Apparently Tom, Liam and Andy spotted the words scrawled on the toilet wall there.
That brings us to the latest incarnation of the venue, The Kasbah, with it’s Arabic chic, it looks to be taking the place to another dimension, while still keeping the music live. Kerrang Radio recently showcased the venue as part of the best midlands venues feature. I was interviewed and asked to provide some of the history of the venue for the piece. I suddenly realised that it had the makings of a perfect Backbeat. This however is just a small scratch of its long ranging history. If you have anymore info, I would love to see it, whether you bopped at the Orchid, skanked at the Tic Toc or Rocked The Kasbah.
Trivia
Does anyone remember the Milano coffee bar in Radford? I’m looking for people who attended, this rock n roll venue, your stories and photographs. Contact me through the Telegraph or on 07963953586 or tencton@hotmail.com