It originally opened in 1937 as the Paramount Theatre, featuring a seating capacity of 2,439.

It was built on land made vacant by the removal of King Edward VI School to its new home in Edgbaston.

During the 1960s to the mid-1980s it was a very popular venue for concerts.The Beatles performed at the Odeon in 1964, as did The Rolling Stones with Ike & Tina Turner and The Yardbirds in 1966.

The venue has also hosted bands such as The Who in 1971, Led Zeppelin and Emerson, Lake and Palmer in 1972, and Queen in 1975.

The rear aspect of the building occupies a striking position overlooking the railway tracks at the southeastern approach to New Street station.