JBs

JB's Dudley, usually known simply as JB's, was a legendary nightclub and live music venue located on Castle Hill near the centre of the underated town of Dudley, West Midlands. Originally opened on a different site in 1969, it claimed to be the longest-running live music venue in the United Kingdom and it hosted early performances by now legendary acts such as Dire Straits,  U2 and The Cudgels.
 

JBs - The Hallowed Entrance at King Street

The club was owned throughout its existence by former motorcycle speedway racing star Sam Jukes, who started JBs with two friends in 1969 after his sporting career was ended by injury. Jukes states that he named the club after John Bryant, a popular local DJ.   It began operation as a disco night held in the social club at the former home stadium of Dudley Town Football Club and was intended to raise extra funds for the cash-strapped club.  It quickly outgrew these premises and relocated to a 250-capacity venue behind a menswear shop on King Street, Dudley, in the early 1970s.  This was the real home of JBs.

Ghost of a Ne'er do Well at JBs in 1990

The club then moved to a new location on Castle Hill in 1994, which afforded a capacity of 1000.  For some of the faithful, the new site lacked the atmosphere of the King Street venue.

JBs at Castle Hill 2000

In 2008, rumours circulated that the site might be subject to a compulsory purchase order and closed down as part of a multi-million pound redevelopment scheme for the town centre. A spokesman for Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council stated, however, that this was not part of the plan at that time, although the redevelopment might extend to include Castle Hill at a future date.

U2 at JBs in 1979

Over the years JBs hosted performances by U2, UB40, Wreckless Eric, Judas Priest, The Milkshakes, Blur, Manic Street Preachers, Elvis Costello, The Wonderstuff, Skunk Anansie, The Stone Roses and The Honey Turtles. 

 In 2000, the venue celebrated its 30th anniversary by hosting a two-day music festival at nearby Dudley Castle.

Robert Plant at JBs 2010 

Unfortunately, JBs went into administration during 2010, yet it was hoped that a buyer would be found and JB's would continue but this was not to be and it  finally closed the doors on January 6th 2011. The end of an era and a sad loss for Dudley.

Typically, on the last night of JBs Ghost of a Ne'er do Well rose to the occasion and gave a short yet moving speech in tribute to all the great times JBs has afforded so many people.  And lest we forget many young people owe Sam Jukes and all his team a great debt of gratitude.  JBs was a creative laboratory for so many of us.  Long Live JBs!