To mark the launch of the B-side project - a search for the ultimate West Midlands music playlist - Enda Mullen looks at some early Birmingham gigs in small places by some of the world’s biggest bands and solo artists.

The big names might come to the arenas and stadiums of the Midlands these days but many graced far smaller stages during their rise to rock and roll riches, though sadly many of the clubs they played in are long gone.

The Beatles, The Ritz Ballroom, York Road, Kings Heath, February 15 1963

The Ritz Ballroom was a venue that saw performances by some of the biggest names in music in the sixties, including The Beatles. The band had been booked to play on January 11 1963, but the gig was cancelled because of a blizzard. In the meantime their second single Please Please Me had shot up the charts and Beatlemania had well and truly begun. Tough-talking Ritz owner Pa Regan nonetheless managed to persuade Brian Epstein to get the band to play for the previously agreed price, though they had to get into the venue via a ladder from the neighbouring Milford Place to escape the crowds outside.

The Rolling Stones, The Ritz Ballroom, York Road, Kings Heath, September 14 1963

Hot on the heels of The Beatles came The Rolling Stones. For the band who want on to be acclaimed as ‘the world’s greatest rock and roll band’ it was one of their first musical forays out of London and certainly their first appearance in Birmingham, coming a short time of the release of their first single, a cover of Chuck Berry’s Come On. Later the same night they went on to perform at The Plaza in Old Hill, another of the clubs owned by Ritz owners Ma and Pa Regan.

Davy Jones & The Lower Third, The Cedar Club, Constitution Hill, Birmingham, January 19 1966

Owned by Birmingham’s ‘King of Clubs’ Eddie Fewtrell, the Cedar Club was a stomping ground for many touring and local bands and musicians. Davy Jones & The Lower Third played there in 1966. Jones later changed his name to David Bowie and went on to become one of pop music’s most successful solo acts ever.

The Who, Mothers, Erdington High Street, January 3 1969

Mothers in the former Carlton Ballroom was open for just three years, from 1968 to 1971, but it was a time which coincided with a golden period in British music. Rock icons The Who played there many times. The late DJ John Peel once said of it: “People are amazed to hear that for a few years the best club in Britain was in Erdington”.

Led Zeppelin, Mothers, Erdington High Street, March 22 1969

Led Zeppelin shook British music up and helped spawn heavy rock as we now know it. With half the band coming from the Midlands they were also local lads when it came to performing at Mothers and played there on many occasions. One gig-goer famously recalled how his girlfriend was physically sick at a Zeppelin gig there due to it being so loud.

Pink Floyd, Mothers, Erdington High Street, April 27 1969

Not long after the departure of founding member Syd Barrett, Pink Floyd chose Mothers as the place to record part of their Ummagumma album. One of those present on the night was John Peel. The band made several more appearances at the venue before going on to become a supergroup who would fill stadiums around the world.

Elton John, Mothers, Erdington High Street, January 2 1971

Elton John might be more famous these days for hosting lavish parties and co-writing musicals like The Lion King but back when he was starting out he was one of the most exciting singer-songwriters of his generation. He too graced the stage at Mothers.

Black Sabbath, Mothers, Erdington High Street, January 24 1972

One of many appearances at Mothers by the Birmingham rock legends, who have been universally credited as being the founding fathers of heavy metal. One of the few bands from that era that is still going strong.

U2, The Locarno, Hurst Street, Birmingham, October 19 1981

U2 were just starting to make it big when they played at The Locarno (later the Powerhouse and Oceana) in autumn 1991. Their appearance was part of a global tour to promote their second album October. Next time they visited the city soon after they played Birmingham Odeon.

The Smiths, Fighting Cocks, Alcester Road, Moseley, June 6 1983

In an era remembered for its ridiculous outfits and hairstyles the eighties also had some great musical moments. The Smiths were arguably the best British band to emerge during the decade and certainly one of the most influential. One fan recalled how he had to catch two buses and brave a bar full of Hell’s Angels to get to the performance.

REM, Tin Can Club, Bradford Street, Digbeth, April 24 1985

The Tin Can was located in a less than salubrious setting above the Sunset strip club and was a musical hotspot back in the eighties. Seminal American outfit REM played there during their early days of seemingly endless touring.

Oasis, Jug of Ale, Alcester Road, Moseley, March 28 1994

Moseley’s bohemian character is steeped in a rich musical history and ‘The Jug’, as it was affectionately known, saw performance by bands like The Verve and Oasis who would end up being at the forefront of the Britpop movement. Oasis’ guitarist and songwriter Noel Gallagher has even returned to the area since to revisit the Kababish curry house.