'The end of an icon' - A look back at the history of The Talk

The venue, which has been named The Talk for the last 15 years, will close at the end of March after Covid fears and restrictions saw crowds dwindle.

But back in the 1960s and 1970s the venue was one of the city's most popular.

Eric Clapton, pictured backstage at The Industrial Club before Cream's gig at the Oak Street, Norwich, venue on January 5 1968. (Image: Archant)

The club was then known as the Melody Rooms, attracting some of the biggest beat and psychedelic bands in the world before being visited by glam rock royalty Slade and Sweet in the 1970s.

Old programmes from the venue. (Image: © Archant Norfolk Photographic 2004)

Its story began in 1954, when the then Lord Mayor of Norwich, Horace Allen opened it as The Norwich Industrial Club, with more than 800 people in attendance.

Over the next 65 years the club would go on to have many names, whilst hosting cabaret, comedy and discos.

Danny La Rue and Arthur Askey on their visit to the venue. (Image: © Archant Norfolk Photographic 2004)

When the news of the venues closure was announced, readers reacted with sadness, with one Facebook commenter, Ann Gowen describing it as "the end of an icon".

Another Faye Starling said: "So sad that this club is closing, it's always a place I choose to go as it feels very safe, especially as it's not in the city."

While Lorraine White added: "Sad news, fond memories, aged 17 I saw Sweet there and more recently Bo Nanafana nights which were fabulous."

Take a trip back through the history of this classic Norwich club, with these nostalgic pictures.

Crowds on September 28, 2017. (Image: AL PULFORD PHOTOGRAPHY)

Drag artist Roxi Monoxide at The Talk. (Image: Archant © 2004)

Cream drummer Ginger Baker, pictured backstage at The Industrial Club before their gig at the Oak Street, Norwich, venue on January 5 1968. Picture: Archant library (Image: Archant)

Cream singer-guitarist Eric Clapton pictured before the supergroup's appearance at The Industrial Club, Oak Street, Norwich, on January 5 1968. Picture: Archant library (Image: Archant)

Then owner Geoffrey Fisher, spent £15,000 on the Melody Rooms at the Norwich Industrial Club. (Image: Archant)

Cream bassist Jack Bruce, pictured backstage at The Industrial Club before their gig at the Oak Street, Norwich, venue on January 5 1968. Picture: Archant library (Image: Archant)

This picture of Norwich band Eyes of Blond was taken on the flat roof at the front of the Melody Rooms - now The Talk... Left to Right - Paul Watts, Phil Dimitri, Neil Applegate, Phil Wade. (Image: Archant)

Live music at the Melody Rooms, Norwich on 5 April 1971. Photo: Archant Library (Image: Archant Library)

The Melody Rooms during the early 1970s. (Image: Archant)

The Talk, Norwich on 10 February 1998. (Image: Archant Library)

Crowds at The Talk in 2007. (Image: AL PULFORD PHOTOGRAPHY)

The memorable The Talk sign in 2007. (Image: Archant © 2007)

Crowds at The Talk in 2007. (Image: Archant)

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