Led Zeppelin star rocks hall

Rock 'n' Roll raised the rafters of Birmingham Town Hall last night when a star-studded line-up came together to pay tribute to Midlands music legends.

Megastar Robert Plant graced the stage alongside funnyman Jasper Carrott and rocker Bev Bevan of 60s band The Move at the Brum Rocks Extra concert.

Last night's fundraising show was only the second at the historic venue since it reopened on Thursday. The capacity crowd who packed the 19th century building enjoyed a celebration of the golden age of Brummie rock n roll.

Stars shared memories of past performances at the building - and less salubrious venues in the city - and blasted out classic songs from the early 60s to late 70s.

Last night's line-up also featured The Move founder Trevor Burton, Dominettes star Steve Gibbons and the lively Danny King of Danny King and the Jesters.Laurie Hornsby, author of Birmingham-based comedy musical Wallop Mrs Cox, compered and gave insights into the musical scene of the second city. Bev Bevan was approached to put the show on and said he had no problem getting an impressive line up, including Raymond Froggatt, to offer services free of charge as the concert helped boost Birmingham Children's Hospital Red Balloon Appeal - a multi-million pound bid to create a specialist burns centre.

The city centre hospital was originally built with cash provided by a charity concert. The Brum Rocks concert saw history move full circle and the city's Town Hall step back into the rock 'n' roll spotlight.

Under the banner 'Celebrating the Past, Pioneering the Future' the reopening festival will continue until October 21.

Tomorrow celebrations will see Express & Star columnist and local historian Dr Carl Chinn, give an illustrated talk on the history of the town hall and its significance to Birmingham and the West Midlands.

This will be followed by a carnival afternoon with Reggae Rocks presenting the History of Reggae followed The Destroyers with special guest star Andy Hamilton.

Dr Chinn's talk is 11am- noon and costs £3, with the afternoon entertainment running from 2.30pm-4.30pm, costing £5 adults and £3 children.

On Monday, October 8, the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra will perform a programme including a Coleridge-Taylor violin concerto and The Music Makers by Elgar. The concert starts at 7.30pm and tickets cost between £14 and £40.