The rockin’ Robin: Ex-Robin 2 Club boss Mike Hamblett reflects on venue in new book
He’s played host to some of the world’s top acts – from BB King, to Billy Ocean, The Animals, and Peter Green – but now former Robin 2 owner Mike Hamblett has hung up his management hat, packed up his hoard of ticket stubs and gig posters, and moved to Shropshire to pursue a different life all together.
Looking back on his years running Black Country live music venues The Robin and The Robin 2, Mike decided to write a book detailing his many memories – and, speaking to Weekend, the 65-year-old has shared some of his many top moments bringing global stars to the stage in Bilston.
From Noddy Holder, to Steven Seagal, to Bill Wyman and Lenny Henry – he’s met them all.
“Robert Plant has been to both venues,” said Mike.
“Arthur Lee and Love is one of his favourite bands. They did a few shows.
“Rob’s also got up on stage with various artists over the years. And it was never planned.
“Having Steven Seagal come was incredible. He’s a world famous movie star.
"He did three sell-out gigs at The Robin. It was pretty amazing having him come all the way from the US to Bilston.
“When he went outside, he opened the fire doors and a huge mass of people wanted his autograph. I was worried we may never get him back.
“He’s a huge man, but he’s got this aura around him, you could just feel it.
“Roy Wood. He plays huge gigs, so to have him still come to The Robin was amazing. It’s hard to believe just how many hits he’s had. What a talent.
“We had Ian Hunter from Mott The Hoople too. I grew up with them. That was at the old Robin, in 1994 or 1995. They came and performed All The Young Dudes, that was amazing.
'Support'
“The old Robin was just a pub with a huge room at the back, so to get people like that there was incredible.
“I’ve got to thank Noddy Holder for supporting me over the years and opening both venues. He’s been fantastic. All the Slade guys have.
“We once had Jon Anderson and Rick Wakeman from Yes. I had to rent a grand piano for Rick.
“They were playing all the Yes classics – and throughout the show you could have heard a pin drop.
“I had to sell the tickets at a high price because it was such an expensive gig. And if it sold out, I would just about cover the costs. But we did it. And it was incredible.
“Bill Wyman came too from The Rolling Stones with his band Bill Wyman’s Rhythm Kings. It was a different line-up every time they played. We had Georgie Fame, Eddie Floyd, Andy Fairweather Low. He had Mike Sanchez at one gig.
“Lenny Henry, he’s such a local legend. And a great soul vocalist. He came with his all-star band featuring drummer Andy Gangadeen, who has played with everybody.
“When Howard McCrary played the Robin, Chaka Khan turned up to see him. This was at the old Robin in the early ‘90s. We knew nothing about it, she just turned up on the door.
“She was great – she got up on stage with Howard and sang with him. She then even got on the drums. It was amazing.
“I later found out that Howard’s girlfriend was Chaka Khan’s sister.
“Leo Sayer was quite a memorable one too. I grew up listening to him. He lives in Australia now, but when he came over for a UK tour The Robin was one of his gigs. That was really great.
“We had quite a few big jazz people at The Robin 1. George Melly and The Feetwarmers, Humphrey Lyttelton before he passed away.
