Live: Davie Jones and the Lower Third, Tower Ballroom, Birmingham

Davie Jones made his live debut with the Lower Third on Tuesday 1 June 1965.

The show took place at the Tower Ballroom in Edgbaston, Birmingham.

In May 1965, the Lower Third had spread the word around London coffee bar La Gioconda, a meeting place for local musicians at 9a Denmark Street. While there, Bowie had heard they were holding auditions at La Discothèque at 17 Wardour Street.

The audition was a jam session which also included Steve Marriott and members of Georgie Fame’s band. Jones impressed the Lower Third with his singing and alto sax playing.

Later, over a meal of egg and chips at La Gioconda, Jones was offered and accepted the job. They began rehearsals shortly afterwards, mainly in Bromley.

The Lower Third featured guitarist Denis ‘Tea Cup’ Taylor, bass guitarist Graham Rivens, and drummer Les Mighall.

The Tower Ballroom was part of the Mecca Leisure Group, which owned various ballrooms and other venues around the UK. It opened as a skating rink in 1827, closed in 2017, and was demolished in 2022.