The Laffayette...wolverhampton

[harpo1]

I can only give an account of nights i attended post '74'ish, however i'm sure Max and others can tell us about the earlier period. I know many live acts appeared during the 60's, but i'll let those who went fill in the detail.

My first period was "The Teen-Scene-with Blue Max", this was on Mondays, and ran early evening to about 10'ish if i remember correctly(a whole half hour later than Willenhall Baths).

I used to go up with Billy Frisby, Steve Kingdon, Col. Summner, Dave Lewis and Pete Nixon to name a few.This was wgere i first got to know Phil Shelton, i also remember Paddy Jennings and some of the other names going too.

Max had some great stuff in those days, and broadened our taste through exposure to new music,they even had Major Lance on one week,

Can't remember why or when it stopped, we just moved to the Wolves Club.

The next period was when Neil Rushton ran it as a Heart of England Soul Club promo. Was it still Monday, or possibly Tuesday nights. The DJ line up was great with Eddie Hobbard, Clive Jones, Steve Porter and Chris Plant, along with Neil and apologies to those i've missed. The night was a real breath of fresh air with lots of big nighter tunes played.

All the local soulies where there, as it was a proper night not aimed at kids, Gethro, Swoz(both bro's), as well as the Dudley folks, the Wilkes's Skippy etc...etc...

There was an all-dayer, however due to some problem there was a sign posted on the door saying "come back at 6pm".

It was during the period that Neil put on the First International Soul Festival, at the Mecca feat. Brass Construction, my mate Kev Doughty put on a coach from there, we had a great day, and that was when i first really met one of my oldest and closest friends Dawn Caswell.

Some great nights had there, again you'll have to let Neil fill in the detail.

The final period was when Pep used to run Tuesday nights, this lasted around 3 years, and was where i got my first chance to play tunes, I think Phil (Pritchard) was still playing at the first few, along with Mick Derry, This gradually changed with myself Mick Holdsworth and Ian Tyrer as regulars, it was initially in that period when 60's british in particular, soungs were big, and Brian was a regular guest. Pep had a local soul band appear one week "Dexys Midnight Runners", didn't really suit , but they did go on to a career in pop LOL

As the time progressedwe became fully involved with the emerging "modern" scene, Sam was a weekly guest and wow! the stuff we got to play was awesome, Softones, Vekvet Hammer(first played by Ian the barber) Garry Glenn, Softones/First Class "Candy", i first heard Will Collins, Flame 'n' King, when we got the 4 copies of Charles Johnson, i was doing the earlier spot, so played it first, there were so many tunes turning up, as well as those we heard Richard, Sam and Pat play at Wigan, we would snap up,Along with those records we played a good mix of 60's detroit and class oldies too.

All our West Mids crowd were there, regular visitore included Dave Allcock, Karen Sellman, Heil Allen and Jim from Stoke, Tim from Cov. Tony Clayton and the Telford/ Shrops crowd, ro name just a few

Amazing goings on with me Azza Dave Shaw, Phil, Andy Simms accompanied by a varied cast, such as Steve Hughes Mart Randall, Steve Downing, Russ's head Crispi Twins etc...etc...as well as our up and coming young trainees, Sean Pomma Roger Drippin' and Carl Jones to name a few.

It was a great big ball of fun/maddness with a musically brilliant accompaniment.

I look forward to your personal recollections

Harpo

[Munchkin]

think i still have a membership from the monday club somewhere, first visit was early 75,

i think with some of the older wolves crowd graham langford RIP phil richards etc,

straight from work as i worked in the wulfrun centre at the time.

[TOAD]

1 HOUR WALK 120 MILES ON THE TRAIN I GUESS YOU CAN SAY LOL THAT I THOUGHT THE PLACES WAS MEGA FANTASTIC

PS NAME CHECK TIME ROVER AND CRISPY AND DAWN.

LETS NOT FORGET

PRINCE PHILLIP MITCHELL IM SO HAPPY FIRST PLAY BEFORE WIGAN

LOVE COMMITTE I MADE A MISTAKE

PATTI LABBELLE YOU MAKE IT SO HARD TO SAY NO

6TS WISE I WAS MAD ON JIMMY BURNS I REALLY LOVE YOU AS PLAYED BY SOUL SAM !

TO USE A QUOTE "TIMES GUY" lol

OH PS WE WONT MENTION THE TIME I FELL ASLEEP ON THE RETURN JOURNEY AND ENDED UP IN BOURNMOUTH TOP THAT ID LOST MY TICKET LOL ERR NO WORK THAT DAY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Jerry Hipkiss]

The next period was when Neil Rushton ran it as a Heart of England Soul Club promo. Was it still Monday, or possibly Tuesday nights. The DJ line up was great with Eddie Hobbard, Clive Jones, Steve Porter and Chris Plant, along with Neil and apologies to those i've missed. The night was a real breath of fresh air with lots of big nighter tunes played.

All the local soulies where there, as it was a proper night not aimed at kids, Gethro, Swoz(both bro's), as well as the Dudley folks, the Wilkes's Skippy etc...etc...

There was an all-dayer, however due to some problem there was a sign posted on the door saying "come back at 6pm".

OH wow, I'd forgotten all about that dayer - went up early, didn't fancy hanging around Wolves all afternoon, so got straight back on the train!

Can't remember much more about Monday nights either, except that for a while we went up regularly, must have been a mess after a good night at Yate!

[Eddie Hubbard]

Great club Harpo , I was going out with a girl from Tipton at the time , we used to bring a car load up from Banbury on Tues . night still wrecked after Wigan . Remember seeing Richard Searling on there at an all dayer Wakefield Sun " Tripped on love " was his No 1 sound c/u .Bought a Gamble issue of Frankie Beverly for £25 off Clive Jones [ seemed like a fortune at the time , probably half a week's wage at the time ] .Great memories , double decked with Tabs from Banbury , and we stayed over at Neil Rushton's after a nighter at Derby Tiffs [ he slepted , we looked through his records !! ] Best,Eddie

[Pat]

I used to go the "Laff" from end of 1970 until end of 72ish . Come to think of it, the very 1st time I went was when lots of us from Girls' High in Bilston bunked off for a Radio1 roadshow.

That must have been 1969. There have been loads of great live acts on and I remember seeing Chairman of the Board and Jackie Wilson. I was away at college from 1970 so only went

on Saturday nights. Came back for good in 1972 and remember Thursday as being a busy nite cos girl members got in free. Evo used to put on 2 LPs " Non stop Motown memories" and

another which I can't remember. That's obviously a sign of old age as they are both in our loft ! In the early days a lad told me I ought go the the Cats if I enjoyed dancing to the tunes I

did get on the floor for. It was only many years later that I realised he was Sponner ( probably still dancing in heaven ).

The first time Alan asked me out was at the Laff on the night when Noel Edmonds made an appearance. I'm only 5 ft 2 and wondered who this little bloke was trying to get past. It was of

course Mr E who is nowhere near as tall as he looks on TV. I will add that Alan actually stood me up when he should have met me 2 days later so don't know how we've now managed to

be married for 35 years.

Pat

[Guest sandi]

I suppose it's left up to me to mention l also went to the Laff, and had some great nights there.......l dont know engaged for only 4 days and HARPO'S FORGOT ME ALREADY .

He aint slept since friday, so l'll forgive him and put it down to lack of brain cells, l still love you hunny x

Sandi

[Guest Little Anthony]

Remember going to the Tuesday night sessions 79/80, with Pep and others as resident DJ's plus Brian Rae and Soul Sam appearing as the guests. I always thought it was a long way for them to come for what was a relatively small mid-week soul night, which I think finished at 11.00 pm, last orders at 10.30 in those days.

Still the music was excellent and it coincided with Soul Sam and Pat Brady taking up spots at the Casino. This much improved the place (Wigan) after suffering some real dross there since my first appearance in March 1978.

At about the same time the Laff' cashed in in the mod revival thing and had a 'mod' night on a Sunday, featuring bands like, The Circles, Purple Hearts, UB40 and Dexy's before they took off in a big way. I remember Kevin Rowlands of Dexy's taking exception to one punter joining him on the stage and promptly chinning him.

Anyway, what's happened to Pep. Last I heard, he was running a hotel in Tywyn, North Wales.

KTF

[dthedrug]

I ALWAYS ASOCIATE THE LAF BY THE DOORMEN, REMEMBER BILL PEARCE FROM THE TUNS A LITTLE YANK BEST NIGHT NEW YEARS EVE 77/78 STACKED WITH C**T AND ABOUT 20 GEEZERS YES WHAT A FAB NIGHT DAVE KIL

[Guest nomad]

I suppose it's left up to me to mention l also went to the Laff, and had some great nights there.......l dont know engaged for only 4 days and HARPO'S FORGOT ME ALREADY .

He aint slept since friday, so l'll forgive him and put it down to lack of brain cells, l still love you hunny x

Sandi

Dont be so hard on him Sandi...I can remember going to his birthday do there . On the way home I got jumped in Park Village and spent the next 2 days in New Cross Hospital and the old git never gave me a mention either.

Congratulations on the engagement...when does the missus need to get a new hat?

Nomad

[purist]

I used to go the "Laff" from end of 1970 until end of 72ish . Come to think of it, the very 1st time I went was when lots of us from Girls' High in Bilston bunked off for a Radio1 roadshow.

That must have been 1969. There have been loads of great live acts on and I remember seeing Chairman of the Board and Jackie Wilson. I was away at college from 1970 so only went

on Saturday nights. Came back for good in 1972 and remember Thursday as being a busy nite cos girl members got in free. Evo used to put on 2 LPs " Non stop Motown memories" and

another which I can't remember. That's obviously a sign of old age as they are both in our loft ! In the early days a lad told me I ought go the the Cats if I enjoyed dancing to the tunes I

did get on the floor for. It was only many years later that I realised he was Sponner ( probably still dancing in heaven ).

The first time Alan asked me out was at the Laff on the night when Noel Edmonds made an appearance. I'm only 5 ft 2 and wondered who this little bloke was trying to get past. It was of

course Mr E who is nowhere near as tall as he looks on TV. I will add that Alan actually stood me up when he should have met me 2 days later so don't know how we've now managed to

be married for 35 years.

Pat

Gawd Pat, I remember going to a radio one roadshow at the Laff, sure to be about '68/69, although all I do remember about it was chasing after a blonde girl named Ann. Was there more than one at the laff ? think there was also one at the civic or wulfrun that I went to? anyway back to the good music nites -

My memory from most of the 70's is gone due to the lambretta accident I had on the way home from the Laff one nite. Bits I do remember include monday nite live acts, some you mentioned (although I spent many a happy nite there, inc the girlie thursdays ! working in the construction trade we got paid thursdays, so always spent part of the nite there making arrangements for what we were gonna do that weekend, and how we were gonna get there. Even on the pop nites they'd always play a fair amount of northern & current new import soul) I was up on stage dancing with several of the acts, inc Chairmen of the Board and Rufus featuring a very slim, very beautiful Chaka Khan. Major Lance was very cool. I think he performed live there on several occasions, 3 or more times maybe ? On one soul nite after talking to him for quite a while he asked me "where can I get some snow, man?" - Naive, I hadn't got a clue, I thought he must be from a sunny country and had never seen snow before, so I told him he'd have to wait for winter !! It was a few years before I knew where he came from, and what he meant - Is there a more snowy city than Chicago !!! If he hadn't said Man at the end of the sentence I might have twigged, Snowman I ask you

Having managed to get a laff membership card at 16 ( looked old even then, were you supposed to be 21 or 18 to join? ) it was a difficult dodge getting in to the teen thing, and being that few years older than most I felt out of place. It was not really the done thing to talk to the "kids", especially as the lads I hung out with were all 2/3 years older than me. Perhaps that's why I ended up first talking to/meeting Harpo at Blackpool Mecca, despite living about a mile apart in wolves and obviously attending many of the same places ?

happy days, well about one day in ten was happy, the rest were......

Just remembered one time when Major Lance was on at the Laff was when he was doing a bit of a tour and we saw him at 3 venues the same week. As well as seeing him at the Laff he did a performance at two venues in manchester on the same day, one was a dayer at a club called the Hardrock under the 'New' Torch banner, and I'm guessing the other might have been the Ritz? We moved from the one venue to the other so we could see him perform. I think this might have been '74? anyone confirm when the Ritz started?

[Guest kevmorby]

Hi folks

Club Laffayette a name that must go along side, tHe Wolves club, Willenhall baths, St Giles's, Scruples and even Essington workings man's club. We had to travel all be it locally in those days.

Harpo and Sandi congrats.

Best wishes

Kev M.

[Bo Diddley]

Don't forget: -

Beanhead and Lynn

Neil Russell and "Our Rob"

Ronnie Cooper

Bod (me)

Good place to buy records and make plans for the weekend discuss previous weekend.

"Russ's Head" being egged on by Shelton to do very silly thinks with various measures of Brandy, Whiskey etc.

Lady behind the bar who had never had her hair cut!!

[mrs soul]

was reading this the other day, can remember going on a Mon nite I think, the days before woody hooked up with me, poor sod, the wolves club I remember more so, who where the DJ,s there ,I cant remember, and does anyone remember GONK, theres a lot of remembers in my post, but its an age thing you know, wilenhall baths definitely brings backs my youthful years,oh they where the days where they not,I nearly got grounded for life when I came back from the wolves club by my dad,and by coincidence we live not to far from, which tells me life is a funny old game, its now the robin 2 club with a bar attached called woodys bar of all things

Edited June 24, 2009 by mrs soul

[burt weedon]

Don't forget: -

Beanhead and Lynn

Neil Russell and "Our Rob"

Ronnie Cooper

Bod (me)

Good place to buy records and make plans for the weekend discuss previous weekend.

"Russ's Head" being egged on by Shelton to do very silly thinks with various measures of Brandy, Whiskey etc.

Lady behind the bar who had never had her hair cut!!

YEP! and me was the youngest dj there and many other places,remember you lot startin to cum to the laff,an the vic,locarno,etc,,,,,,oops forgot me name again neva mind,still goin still still doin it,,,and enjoyin it...ha...the joys ov life.

[Pat]

Remember going to the Tuesday night sessions 79/80, with Pep and others as resident DJ's plus Brian Rae and Soul Sam appearing as the guests. I always thought it was a long way for them to come for what was a relatively small mid-week soul night, which I think finished at 11.00 pm, last orders at 10.30 in those days.

Still the music was excellent and it coincided with Soul Sam and Pat Brady taking up spots at the Casino. This much improved the place (Wigan) after suffering some real dross there since my first appearance in March 1978.

At about the same time the Laff' cashed in in the mod revival thing and had a 'mod' night on a Sunday, featuring bands like, The Circles, Purple Hearts, UB40 and Dexy's before they took off in a big way. I remember Kevin Rowlands of Dexy's taking exception to one punter joining him on the stage and promptly chinning him.

Anyway, what's happened to Pep. Last I heard, he was running a hotel in Tywyn, North Wales.

KTF

Yes Pep and Helen are still running the hotel in Wales. Phil and Maureen Matthews quite often pop over to visit them. Referring back to my earlier post , as I was being stood up by Alan

who should get off the bus but Helen. Decided not to wait any longer so Helen and I went off to the Gondolier.

Pat

[Neil Rushton]

OH wow, I'd forgotten all about that dayer - went up early, didn't fancy hanging around Wolves all afternoon, so got straight back on the train!

Can't remember much more about Monday nights either, except that for a while we went up regularly, must have been a mess after a good night at Yate!

IT WAS ON TUESDAY NIGHTS AND IN THE WINTER IT WAS SO COLD THE CLUB HAD TO SWITCH THIS HUGE HEATER ON BECAUSE IT WAS SO FREEZING.

DON'T KNOW WHY THE ALL-DAYER STARTED LATE, GEORGE MADDOCKS WAS THE MANAGER AND HAVE VAGUE MEMORY THAT HE COULDN'T GET THE DOORMEN ON OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

WOULD HAVE LOVE TO HAVE PROMOTED ALL-NIGHTERS AT THE LAF.

NEIL

[burt weedon]

IT WAS ON TUESDAY NIGHTS AND IN THE WINTER IT WAS SO COLD THE CLUB HAD TO SWITCH THIS HUGE HEATER ON BECAUSE IT WAS SO FREEZING.

DON'T KNOW WHY THE ALL-DAYER STARTED LATE, GEORGE MADDOCKS WAS THE MANAGER AND HAVE VAGUE MEMORY THAT HE COULDN'T GET THE DOORMEN ON OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

WOULD HAVE LOVE TO HAVE PROMOTED ALL-NIGHTERS AT THE LAF.

NEIL

AINT DAT D TRUTH! Tuesday nite in the middle ov winter wiv me duffle coat on n 3 tank-tops...maaaann.cold in them days.would ov bin great to have had a niter,,proppa lil place..i remember doin a spot,and the band that were on woz called the BEAURO something like that.( Kevin Rowland n pals,a split from dexys,)bloody nutters,all fell out wiv each other...ha.

[Guest Phil Richards]

I can only give an account of nights i attended post '74'ish, however i'm sure Max and others can tell us about the earlier period. I know many live acts appeared during the 60's, but i'll let those who went fill in the detail.

My first period was "The Teen-Scene-with Blue Max", this was on Mondays, and ran early evening to about 10'ish if i remember correctly(a whole half hour later than Willenhall Baths).

I used to go up with Billy Frisby, Steve Kingdon, Col. Summner, Dave Lewis and Pete Nixon to name a few.This was wgere i first got to know Phil Shelton, i also remember Paddy Jennings and some of the other names going too.

Max had some great stuff in those days, and broadened our taste through exposure to new music,they even had Major Lance on one week,

Can't remember why or when it stopped, we just moved to the Wolves Club.

The next period was when Neil Rushton ran it as a Heart of England Soul Club promo. Was it still Monday, or possibly Tuesday nights. The DJ line up was great with Eddie Hobbard, Clive Jones, Steve Porter and Chris Plant, along with Neil and apologies to those i've missed. The night was a real breath of fresh air with lots of big nighter tunes played.

All the local soulies where there, as it was a proper night not aimed at kids, Gethro, Swoz(both bro's), as well as the Dudley folks, the Wilkes's Skippy etc...etc...

There was an all-dayer, however due to some problem there was a sign posted on the door saying "come back at 6pm".

It was during the period that Neil put on the First International Soul Festival, at the Mecca feat. Brass Construction, my mate Kev Doughty put on a coach from there, we had a great day, and that was when i first really met one of my oldest and closest friends Dawn Caswell.

Some great nights had there, again you'll have to let Neil fill in the detail.

The final period was when Pep used to run Tuesday nights, this lasted around 3 years, and was where i got my first chance to play tunes, I think Phil (Pritchard) was still playing at the first few, along with Mick Derry, This gradually changed with myself Mick Holdsworth and Ian Tyrer as regulars, it was initially in that period when 60's british in particular, soungs were big, and Brian was a regular guest. Pep had a local soul band appear one week "Dexys Midnight Runners", didn't really suit , but they did go on to a career in pop LOL

As the time progressedwe became fully involved with the emerging "modern" scene, Sam was a weekly guest and wow! the stuff we got to play was awesome, Softones, Vekvet Hammer(first played by Ian the barber) Garry Glenn, Softones/First Class "Candy", i first heard Will Collins, Flame 'n' King, when we got the 4 copies of Charles Johnson, i was doing the earlier spot, so played it first, there were so many tunes turning up, as well as those we heard Richard, Sam and Pat play at Wigan, we would snap up,Along with those records we played a good mix of 60's detroit and class oldies too.

All our West Mids crowd were there, regular visitore included Dave Allcock, Karen Sellman, Heil Allen and Jim from Stoke, Tim from Cov. Tony Clayton and the Telford/ Shrops crowd, ro name just a few

Amazing goings on with me Azza Dave Shaw, Phil, Andy Simms accompanied by a varied cast, such as Steve Hughes Mart Randall, Steve Downing, Russ's head Crispi Twins etc...etc...as well as our up and coming young trainees, Sean Pomma Roger Drippin' and Carl Jones to name a few.

It was a great big ball of fun/maddness with a musically brilliant accompaniment.

I look forward to your personal recollections

Harpo

Harpo i was there the night Pep put Dexys on what a night that was.

Who was Pritchard ??

As for the Charles Johnson had my copy of Pep £1.50

[Pete S]

[Munchkin]

Yes Pep and Helen are still running the hotel in Wales. Phil and Maureen Matthews quite often pop over to visit them. Referring back to my earlier post , as I was being stood up by Alan

who should get off the bus but Helen. Decided not to wait any longer so Helen and I went off to the Gondolier.

Pat

the Gondolier........ not heard that in years..

[Pete S]

the Gondolier........ not heard that in years..

It's an early learning centre store now!

[Guest Soulshar]

oh my god so many memories used to get in when only 16 used to blag it on the door.remember dexys there and the punch got told who it was that got punched recently but forgot must be too many all nighters addled the brain!

The laff, gondelier, willenhall baths, cavendish, black horse,the connaught both rooms, the royal hotel etc all those places, all gone to soul and soulies good memories.

Congrats harpo and sandi on your engagement lucky people finding the one. love and happiness to you both.

from ur mate garrys ex now

Shaz x x

[burt weedon]

the group wer called the beuro. b4 they came dexys. me kev burdon met em afta the gig,the one had a scrap,wiv sum local chap.

k.r. woz still in west brom council outfit.ha ha .

Hello.anybody there, getz weird on ear....gon..click,click.

[Guest sandi]

Harpo i was there the night Pep put Dexys on what a night that was.

Who was Pritchard ??

As for the Charles Johnson had my copy of Pep £1.50

MID TO LATE 70'S EARLY 80'S PHIL I REMEMBER YOU AS BEING RIGHT UP THERE WITH THE OTHER DISCO D.J'S , I ALSO REMEMBER YOU USED THE NAME PRITCHARD THEN, NOT MANY WILL KNOW YOU AS RICHARDS ...BUT THEN IT'S JUST A PLAY ON WORD'S .......WHY ARE YOU ASHAMED OF PLAYING DISCO ???, IS'NT THAT WHAT ALL SOUL MUSIC IS???? BLACK AMERICAN MUSIC PLAYED IN DISCOTEQUES !!!!!!!!! SEE YOU SOON

[burt weedon]

NOPE, IT BETTA NOT BE DISCO FCKIN MUZIK.....ITZ UNDERGROUND N UN PLAYED MUZIK,,,,,, I KNEW I WOZ ON THE WRONG SCENE,AS SUM OF YOU LOT....DISCO......

BAAAAAAAAHHHHH HUMBUG....

Mc Carfa park is callin...........spin.........back drop..........then wot?????? BURT WEEEEEEE.

[Guest mel brat]

The Lafayette was something of a legendary music venue - though mainly for rock music (many UK acts appeared there in their early career days, apparently)

I was a fairly regular visitor to the 'Laf' on the Monday night sessions held during late 1973 and early 1974 - mainly for the visiting Soul acts that appeared there. Memorable appearances included Inez Foxx, Mel & Tim, Ben E. King, The Drifters, The Exciters, Detroit Emeralds, Edwin Starr (whose backing band at that time went on to become the nucleus of Rose Royce!), The Chi-Lites, The Real Thing - and Limmie & Family Cookin'! (though to my everlasting regret I missed Erma Franklin!) The Delfonics were also due to appear, but it never happened. Can you believe it!

My fondest memory was the time I was "called upon" to perform a "duet" with the diminutive and fabulous Inez Foxx on "Mockingbird" - and I didn't know the words(!) , Nonetheless, I had a go! Usually, as one of the few Soul fans in attendance (yes really - the Monday night wasn't a "proper" Soul night per.se.) I would then go to the nearby dressing room and pester the artists for autographs, and they were usually kind enough to spare some time for a chat too. Ben E. King and Inez Foxx (again) being particularly memorable meetings, naturally. I also recall Mel & Tim urging the small crowd to "hey, jus' sit down and have a smoke.." (ie. get stoned!), to almost universal bewilderment(!), before delivering a particularly impassioned performance of their current US hit "Starting All Over Again"!

Blue Max was the main DJ (I only vaguely remember there being another DJ) and he could sometimes be urged and persuaded to play a few Northern sides such as "Baby Mine" or the Vel-Vets! Usually the sounds were a mixture of pop and "commercial" Soul sides. Syl Johnson "We Did It" and Don Downing "Lonely Days, Lonely Nights" spring to mind, alongside pop/soul like John Miles "One Minute Every Hour" - before he hit the big time with "Music".

A few years later there were occasional proper Northern nights - and Jazz Funk events too! Neil Rushton will recall that Graham Warr's "farewell party" was held there, in 1979 I think. I recall attending one event featuring Soul Sam, but I think that would be sometime in the early 80's.

Edited July 17, 2009 by mel brat

[Guest mel brat]

Remember going to the Tuesday night sessions 79/80, with Pep and others as resident DJ's plus Brian Rae and Soul Sam appearing as the guests.... it coincided with Soul Sam and Pat Brady taking up spots at the Casino. This much improved the place (Wigan) after suffering some real dross there since my first appearance in March 1978...

KTF

?? Surely Sam was deejaying at the Casino in early 1974?

Edited July 17, 2009 by mel brat

[Pete S]

?? Surely Sam was deejaying at the Casino in early 1974?

Don't think he was ever invited to play at the Casino til the late 70's.

[Guest mel brat]

Don't think he was ever invited to play at the Casino til the late 70's.

Are you absolutely sure? I have a tape from C.April 1974 with someone playing Susan Phillips' "World Without Sunshine" and John Shroeder "Soul For Sale" etc.- I was always certain it was him!

[Pete S]

Are you absolutely sure? I have a tape from C.April 1974 with someone playing Susan Phillips' "World Without Sunshine" and John Shroeder "Soul For Sale" etc.- I was always certain it was him!

No, but about 99% sure - he was anti Russ I think - a few of them were playing Sandra Phillips, it may have been J.Vincent, but if you can find out who the brave man playing Soul For Sale was, you'll crack it! Actually might even be Kev Roberts.

[Guest mel brat]

No, but about 99% sure - he was anti Russ I think - a few of them were playing Sandra Phillips, it may have been J.Vincent, but if you can find out who the brave man playing Soul For Sale was, you'll crack it! Actually might even be Kev Roberts.

All very possible - I know Richard Searling was there, as I bought Bobby Wells' "Be's That Way Sometimes" off him that very night(!) - but he plays a much better set! (Tomangoes etc.) However I've been "convinced" for 30-odd years it was Sam playing "Soul For Sale" on that tape- his reputation at the time (reinforced by somewhat hostile Black Music' articles, admittedly) was for frequently playing too much pop music (Vogues "That's The Tune" etc.) Also was it not Sam who played "Hawaii Five-O" (covered up as "The Arthur Wright Orchestra", but later dismissed as a "joke") around the same time? And I DEFINITELY only heard THAT played at Wigan!

Could he have been a "guest" DJ???

In addition, I always understood that Sandra Phillips was a Sam exclusive for some time (I read that in a mag somewhere, donkey's years ago!), which is again why I presumed it was Sam that night. Now though, I really have no idea who it is, but I'm bloody convinced he was there - or else how would I know him? I thought that's where I first ever set eyes on the guy!

Still, it was a long time ago, and I could easily be mistaken... but for now I remain,

Yours, "Very puzzled indeed til I know for certain etc."

Edited July 18, 2009 by mel brat

[dthedrug]

I can only give an account of nights i attended post '74'is, however i'm sure Max and others can tell us about the earlier period. I know many live acts appeared during the 60's, but i'll let those who went fill in the detail.

My first period was "The Teen-Scene-with Blue Max", this was on Mondays, and ran early evening to about 10'ish if i remember correctly(a whole half hour later than Willenhall Baths).

I used to go up with Billy Frisby, Steve Kingdon, Col. Sumner, Dave Lewis and Pete Nixon to name a few.This was where i first got to know Phil Shelton, i also remember Paddy Jennings and some of the other names going too.

Max had some great stuff in those days, and broadened our taste through exposure to new music,they even had Major Lance on one week,

Can't remember why or when it stopped, we just moved to the Wolves Club.

The next period was when Neil Rushton ran it as a Heart of England Soul Club promo. Was it still Monday, or possibly Tuesday nights. The DJ line up was great with Eddie Hubbard, Clive Jones, Steve Porter and Chris Plant, along with Neil and apologies to those i've missed. The night was a real breath of fresh air with lots of big nighter tunes played.

All the local soulies where there, as it was a proper night not aimed at kids, Jethro, Swoz(both bros), as well as the Dudley folks, the Wilkes's Skippy etc...etc...

There was an all-dayer, however due to some problem there was a sign posted on the door saying "come back at 6pm".

It was during the period that Neil put on the First International Soul Festival, at the Mecca feat. Brass Construction, my mate Kev Doughty put on a coach from there, we had a great day, and that was when i first really met one of my oldest and closest friends Dawn Caswell.

Some great nights had there, again you'll have to let Neil fill in the detail.

The final period was when Pep used to run Tuesday nights, this lasted around 3 years, and was where i got my first chance to play tunes, I think Phil (Pritchard) was still playing at the first few, along with Mick Derry, This gradually changed with myself Mick Holdsworth and Ian Tyrer as regulars, it was initially in that period when 60's british in particular, sounds were big, and Brian was a regular guest. Pep had a local soul band appear one week "Dexys Midnight Runners", didn't really suit , but they did go on to a career in pop LOL

As the time progressed we became fully involved with the emerging "modern" scene, Sam was a weekly guest and wow! the stuff we got to play was awesome, Softones, Velvet Hammer(first played by Ian the barber) Garry Glenn, Softones/First Class "Candy", i first heard Will Collins, Flame 'n' King, when we got the 4 copies of Charles Johnson, i was doing the earlier spot, so played it first, there were so many tunes turning up, as well as those we heard Richard, Sam and Pat play at Wigan, we would snap up,Along with those records we played a good mix of 60's detroit and class oldies too.

All our West Mids crowd were there, regular visitors included Dave Allcock, Karen Sellman, Heil Allen and Jim from Stoke, Tim from Cov. Tony Clayton and the Telford/ Shrops crowd, ro name just a few

Amazing goings on with me Azza Dave Shaw, Phil, Andy Simms accompanied by a varied cast, such as Steve Hughes Mart Randall, Steve Downing, Russ's head Crispi Twins etc...etc...as well as our up and coming young trainees, Sean Pomma Roger Drippin' and Carl Jones to name a few.

It was a great big ball of fun/madness with a musically brilliant accompaniment.

I look forward to your personal recollections

Harpo

Sorry Harpo but one of the best nites was when John Otway & Wild Woolly Barrett played there, talk about a laugh I nearly Pissed myself, if you don't remember them they did a Funny thing called "i,am Free..really really free!" it was a night with my bruvver who was a Art Student? life not only about Rare Soul? Can you remember the Curry House at the end of Pipers Row opposite the Blue boar, any Curry £1 a go DAVE KIL Edited July 24, 2009 by dthedrug

[burt weedon]

No, but about 99% sure - he was anti Russ I think - a few of them were playing Sandra Phillips, it may have been J.Vincent, but if you can find out who the brave man playing Soul For Sale was, you'll crack it! Actually might even be Kev Roberts.

pete sos to but in but sam did do a few spots around 74 and had a fall out and came back later yrs...

[dthedrug]

Would tend to agree. i had a tape from very early Wigan.second or third one? and i would swear Sam played the Poppies.........after Russ had played it as the Arbours-The love we had? anyone confirm?

pretty sure it was the night when the Modern instrumentals etc were played:

Same tape Richard played Amazing dancing band, Vala Regan.

Don´t remember much ,but old tapes stay in the head for ever!! had a really short one from the Torch with the immortal Ellis" This is the last one from me Martyn Ellis ,hope to see you down here next week fabulous sound of the Cooperettes and............SHINGALING" you just had to be there!

Steve

I had a few top sounds in 74 including Sandra Philips "world without sunshine" on a gold issue Broadway I use to get them from Mr Anderson (the Scotchman) at Soul Bowl, still have a few lists, not being pedantic but when you describe a record as his or he played 1st is not my view of the scene? please explain this rule for me please? maybe its because I am a Londoner DAVE KIL

[dthedrug]

pete sos to but in but SAM did do a few spots around 74 and had a fall out and came back later yrs...

Ila Van "cant stop" and the Fugitives "Human Jungle" and I think? but not sure Footsie the original Simon S mix were all 1st played at the CAT This does not mean that I understand the earlyer comment as Ian discovered so so many records he is ruled out as also PEP and Mick Smith and indeed any of the inderviduals who went to the USA to find stuff. and yes I no PEP never went to the States? but he is a good bloke! a Robber but a Good Bloke? DAVE KIL

[Guest Phil Richards]

Don't see where i said i was ashamed ? but anyway had the Charles Jonhson plus lots of other things off Pep and just put them in a box i nerver played them at the time.

It was Pep who said buy this one and just hang on to it as i day day it might be worth a bit more and he was right as i sold them all

[Guest mel brat]

Glad to see I've still got some of my bleeding faculties left then, as it appears that Sam WAS at Wigan in the early years- at least for a while! (and he played the John Schroeder Orchestra!)

The same thing happened whenever I mentioned hearing Ian Levine play "Shing-A-Ling At The Go-Go" and "Sidra's Theme" (aka "The End Of The World" by The Explosions!) at Wigan. Folk kept saying "Nahhh! I don't think so etc." until I was beginning to think I was going nuts, however Ian finally confirmed it on here a few months ago!

[Guest mel brat]

not being pedantic but when you describe a record as his or he played 1st is not my view of the scene? please explain this rule for me please? maybe its because I am a Londoner DAVE KIL

Not so much a serious argument as such Dave, but I do think it helps to determine WHEN (as near as damn it) a record was first introduced to the scene, so as to put the playlist chronology in order - partly for those too young to have been there at the time, and who may have only heard certain records years later at "oldies" sessions.

Besides, some folk have enough trouble getting their heads around the concept of ordinary 'Modern' on the Northern scene, without allowing a 'Post-modern' philosophy to develop!

Edited July 26, 2009 by mel brat

[burt weedon]

lads,i am so glad its not me u2 put your points forward.i woz thinkin the same? av i gon nutz. bang on guys.av the same principles as u2. yep used 2 be in the old vic aswell.all about the same time. ktf; kenny h.

[Munchkin]

Don't forget: -

Beanhead and Lynn

Neil Russell and "Our Rob"

Ronnie Cooper

Bod (me)

Good place to buy records and make plans for the weekend discuss previous weekend.

"Russ's Head" being egged on by Shelton to do very silly thinks with various measures of Brandy, Whiskey etc.

Lady behind the bar who had never had her hair cut!!

[harpo1]

We last saw Russ's head on the bank hol mon am after Derby Tiffs nighter, the one when they were hauling people off the dance floor, we had gone there on a bus from the Locarno, Azza Dave S and i had done Yate on the sat night too so it was a total head wrecker.

Russ said i'm going to the Mecca dayer and he had 2p in his pocket

Anyway the story goes like this he was barbed up and locked in a cell overnight, the dayer closed early due to bag thieving, the Tues morning he went to the Mecca to try n get hs bag back, nobody was there, so he nicked some stuff out the back of a car on the multi storey, Somehow he turns up out side the Laff at the start, i bought this crap jumper, and Azza a set of darts so he could get in...anyway next thing hes on the tue'ies again and is gonna have a blast behing the stage curtains, using lager, instead of water, in the end Steve Hughes and Bev Simms, took him back to Bev's in Darlo, only for the crazy weekend to finish when he stumbled out the back door and frightened the old woman next door, as he was falling about, and pulling faces at her through the kitchen window, so he was locked up again.

We didn't really see him on the scene again after that...but i have bumped into him one about two occasions, since, big beer bellied, in trad. Willenhall style, the first time in a pub with a packed childrens room, where he shouted through from the bar, "how you doing Harpo, you still on the drugs", went down well with my lads, school mates parents, we were never invited back...but thats life.

His other famous acts were, when he took a load of stuff on the train, and just got off at Wigan Station as it was pulling out for scotland, and of course the night he was barbed up crawling on the floor at the casino in just his underpants

Just another of those crazy people who helped make our nights so memorable, hope Mr. Townsend is still out and about in the pubs of Willenhall, even those rather dingy piss dens were gonna be better for him than the almost certain tragedy he would have met with if he had remained in our gang

Wow he made Shelton and me look decidedly normal when he performed

Harpo

[Munchkin]

Anyway the storygoes like this he was barbed up and locked in a cell overnight, thedayer closed early due to bag thieving, the Tues morning he went to theMecca to try n get hs bag back, nobody was there, so he nicked somestuff out the back of a car on the multi storey, Somehow he turns upout side the Laff at the start, i bought this crap jumper, and Azza aset of darts so he could get in...anyway next thing hes on the tue'iesagain and is gonna have a blast behing the stage curtains, using lager,instead of water, in the end Steve Hughes and Bev Simms, took him backto Bev's in Darlo, only for the crazy weekend to finish when hestumbled out the back door and frightened the old woman next door, ashe was falling about, and pulling faces at her through the kitchenwindow, so he was locked up again.

Think this was the week end i first met shaz my now wife, remember taking her and alison her mate back to wolves on 79 bus and askin her mate to ask her to go out with me....... the rest is history....

[Guest JerryL]

I can only give an account of nights i attended post '74'ish, however i'm sure Max and others can tell us about the earlier period. I know many live acts appeared during the 60's, but i'll let those who went fill in the detail.

My first period was "The Teen-Scene-with Blue Max", this was on Mondays, and ran early evening to about 10'ish if i remember correctly(a whole half hour later than Willenhall Baths).

I used to go up with Billy Frisby, Steve Kingdon, Col. Summner, Dave Lewis and Pete Nixon to name a few.This was wgere i first got to know Phil Shelton, i also remember Paddy Jennings and some of the other names going too.

Max had some great stuff in those days, and broadened our taste through exposure to new music,they even had Major Lance on one week,

Can't remember why or when it stopped, we just moved to the Wolves Club.

The next period was when Neil Rushton ran it as a Heart of England Soul Club promo. Was it still Monday, or possibly Tuesday nights. The DJ line up was great with Eddie Hobbard, Clive Jones, Steve Porter and Chris Plant, along with Neil and apologies to those i've missed. The night was a real breath of fresh air with lots of big nighter tunes played.

All the local soulies where there, as it was a proper night not aimed at kids, Gethro, Swoz(both bro's), as well as the Dudley folks, the Wilkes's Skippy etc...etc...

There was an all-dayer, however due to some problem there was a sign posted on the door saying "come back at 6pm".

It was during the period that Neil put on the First International Soul Festival, at the Mecca feat. Brass Construction, my mate Kev Doughty put on a coach from there, we had a great day, and that was when i first really met one of my oldest and closest friends Dawn Caswell.

Some great nights had there, again you'll have to let Neil fill in the detail.

The final period was when Pep used to run Tuesday nights, this lasted around 3 years, and was where i got my first chance to play tunes, I think Phil (Pritchard) was still playing at the first few, along with Mick Derry, This gradually changed with myself Mick Holdsworth and Ian Tyrer as regulars, it was initially in that period when 60's british in particular, soungs were big, and Brian was a regular guest. Pep had a local soul band appear one week "Dexys Midnight Runners", didn't really suit , but they did go on to a career in pop LOL

As the time progressedwe became fully involved with the emerging "modern" scene, Sam was a weekly guest and wow! the stuff we got to play was awesome, Softones, Vekvet Hammer(first played by Ian the barber) Garry Glenn, Softones/First Class "Candy", i first heard Will Collins, Flame 'n' King, when we got the 4 copies of Charles Johnson, i was doing the earlier spot, so played it first, there were so many tunes turning up, as well as those we heard Richard, Sam and Pat play at Wigan, we would snap up,Along with those records we played a good mix of 60's detroit and class oldies too.

All our West Mids crowd were there, regular visitore included Dave Allcock, Karen Sellman, Heil Allen and Jim from Stoke, Tim from Cov. Tony Clayton and the Telford/ Shrops crowd, ro name just a few

Amazing goings on with me Azza Dave Shaw, Phil, Andy Simms accompanied by a varied cast, such as Steve Hughes Mart Randall, Steve Downing, Russ's head Crispi Twins etc...etc...as well as our up and coming young trainees, Sean Pomma Roger Drippin' and Carl Jones to name a few.

It was a great big ball of fun/maddness with a musically brilliant accompaniment.

I look forward to your personal recollections

Harpo

My mate and me went on a thursday night and someone saw us dance and asked us to go on top of the pops to dance only to javells(nosmo king) - goodbye nothing to say.......I turned him down flat as to me it was the ultimate div thing to do...my mate went and I saw him on there dancing, he was told when to dance and only to that tune hahahaha the only plus for him was having a meal with the goodies after as they were doing the funky gibbon on stage as the next tune...hahahahahaha......The Laff I found ok but had some intimidating brothers hanging around behind me whilst dancing.......Not for me, and didnt go too many times after.

[Guest JerryL]

Does anyone know what happened to Pete King from the west mids? last I heard he was working and Living in London but this was the 80s/ 90s

He was a regular mecca goer and started for a laugh "Levine must go" campaign.