A new, free weekly performance of live rock, blues and soul music is to be launched by the original manager of Black Sabbath in Birmingham this Friday 10 April.
The first ‘Brasshouse Rocks Friday’ gig, featuring soul man Brad Henshaw and His Band, starts at 6pm at The Brasshouse, a large canalside pub on Broad Street, the centre of the city’s live music activity.
The regular Friday night party is being launched by Jim Simpson, who managed Ozzy Osbourne and Tony Iommi’s band called Earth in 1969, relaunching them as Black Sabbath.
Simpson went on to release the band’s first two legendary albums called Black Sabbath and Paranoid in 1970, before he lost control of Black Sabbath shortly afterwards.
But more than 55 years later, Simpson is still ubiquitous on the Midlands’ music scene with his Big Bear Music company.
Big Bear Music already organises ‘Henry’s Blueshouse’ every Tuesday and ‘Birmingham Rocks’ every Sunday, both at Snobs Bar, on Broad Street, plus a spin-off ‘Henry’s Blueshouse’ every Friday night at West Bromwich Indoor Market.
Simpson said: “We’re thrilled to announce our new weekly live music evening at The Brasshouse.
“The ‘Brasshouse Rocks Friday’ gigs will feature the best rock, blues and soul bands around, and is our third free night on Broad Street, and our fourth weekly gig in the West Midlands.
“Our first performer will be Brad Henshaw and his Band. Brad is a Birmingham-born singer-songwriter whose career has seen him collaborate with some of the most iconic names in music.
“Admission is free and there’s no better way to kick start a weekend than to rock it up on Fridays at The Brasshouse from 6pm.”
Simpson explained that Brad Henshaw’s extensive résumé includes work alongside legends such as Whitney Houston, Buddy Guy, Blur, Richard Ashcroft, UB40, Rod Stewart, Roy Wood, Michael Bolton, Slade, Shirley Bassey, as well as performances with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.
He said Henshaw has spent significant time living in America, where he has developed a distinctive sound rooted in the timeless spirit of Americana and Southern Rock.
Simpson added: “Known for his strong, expressive voice, Henshaw blends soulful vocals with confident guitar work. The raw style of his performance allows the quality of the songwriting and musicianship speak for itself.”
Other upcoming bands set to feature in the ‘Brasshouse Rocks Friday’ gigs include:
· Friday 17 April – Jamie Thyer & The Worried Men from Gloucestershire.
· Friday 24 April – Honeyboy Hickling Blues Band, featuring guitar hero Bob Wilson.
· Friday 1 May – High Wycombe’s Stuart Maxwell’s Blues Raiders.
· Friday 8 May – the ever-rocking Slide Boy Roy.
The new ‘Brasshouse Rocks Friday’ event will have its own weekly newsletter sent to 10,000-plus recipients, featuring information about upcoming bands as well as stories from the musical history of Birmingham.
Big Bear Music will also deliver a social media campaign across Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, where it commands a combined following of over 9,000.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.greaterbirminghamchambers.com ’
