Ten years rockin' at the Robin 2

The Robin 2, one of the Midlands' leading rock clubs, celebrates its 10th anniversary later this year with a whole week solidly packed with gigs.

Mike Hamblett opened the Robin 2 in Bilston back in September 1998 and it ran alongside the original Robin rhythm 'n' blues club in Merry Hill for five years, before the lease on the first venue expired.

Now Mike is celebrating with a packed week of performances from a real variety of acts:

September 16 – Canadian singer Alannah Myles is back after an eight-year break to perform her international mega-hit Black Velvet as well as songs from her back catalogue and new album.

September 17 – Midland classic rockers Magnum return to the Robin 2 after packing out the venue for a charity gig last year in aid of original drummer Kex Gorin, who has sadly since died from cancer.

September 18 –The Counterfeit Stones, one of the country's top tribute bands and a real Robin 2 favourite, will bring the songs of the Rolling Stone alive.

September 19 – It will be a real 70s party night as not only Showaddywaddy but Les McKeown's Legendary Bay City Rollers hit the stage in Bilston.

September 20 – Cannock-born Glenn Hughes, the former Deep Purple bassist and singer, will perform a true one-off event for An Evening with Glenn Hughes, featuring an acoustic set, followed by a Q&A session and a full electric set.

For those with deep pockets there are a limited number of Gold VIP tickets for the Glenn Hughes gig which include watching the sound check and entry to the exclusive after-show party.

September 21 – The Soft Machine Legacy, featuring original members of the influential progressive/jazz rock group Soft Machine, round off the week of celebrations.

Mike, who picks and books every band at the Robin 2, explained how the line-up of gigs came about.

"I wanted a variety of things on during that week," he says.

"Alannah Myles is a great international name. Magnum are local but they're international too. The Counterfeit Stones have been entertaining us for 10 years and they're one of the most popular acts we put on.

"Getting Showaddywaddy and Les McKeown together on the same night was a real fluke but it will be an out and out party night."

Mike adds: "Glenn Hughes is one of my all-time favourite vocalists and he's flying over from America just to do that show and then back again. It's an event that no-one can go and see anywhere else.

"The Soft Machine Legacy is a specialist show, but it's a well-known international act."

Mike, 54, was a GKN Sankey apprentice in Bilston from the age of 17-21, but he was also drumming in a band called Sub Zero, which is what led him into the local music scene and the opening of the original Robin in 1992. That club ran until 2003.

"We called the clubs Robin 1 and Robin 2 so people wouldn't confuse them, but we still ended up with people coming to the wrong one!" he says.

Mike gave up the drumming to concentrate on the club but insists he doesn't miss it.

"I enjoy this too much," he laughs.

And he describes three of last year's gigs as among his most memorable - when Hollywood action hero Steven Seagal brought his band to the Robin 2.

"Steven Seagal did three shows for us. He did two shows in one day. We had 700 people along in the afternoon and then 700 again the same night. Then three months later he came back again.

"To get Steven Seagal in Bilston was quite an achievement!"

Now Mike is busy with a packed second half of the year and looking forward to booking more acts for next year, as well as developing the venue's new hotel business.

"I'm working on 2009 now," he says, "So watch this space!"

Full booking detail for all the Robin 2 gigs are available at www.therobin.co.uk

By Ian Harvey