Baileys - Hull Circa 1971

[Guest Carl Dixon]

Is there anybody on this forum who may have travelled to Hull in the very early 1970's by coach or even car to attend 'Baileys', which was situated on top of the Co-op building in the city centre?

[ImberBoy]

Carl well before my time mate, wasn't even born in 71!

Wasn't it Romeo's on top of the coop?

[Guest Carl Dixon]

Yes, it was Romeo and Juliets after Baileys closed. Prior to Baileys which had quite a big dance floor and not in the vain of these smaller 'female' named venues, it was The Skyline. Baileys opened in 1969 I think, and the DJ was telling me on Tuesday that he used to get his American soul records from a US naval base where his girlfriends father was stationed. So he was playing all the the tracks that the servicemen would acquire from back home. He remembers coaches travelling to Hull and customers from out of town attending becuase they wanted to hear all the soul stuff they were unfamiliar with. I must admit, when I started going to Baileys in 1973 it was an eye opener as I had never heard any of the records before. And many were imports etc. This got me hooked on the music and my quest to go Stateside one day. The last thing we spoke about was why anybody had not considered re opening the venue for quaility dance music etc. But, the club is closed, on top of the Co-op, which is closed and such a shame. The memories that were created there - priceless.....

[oldsteve woomble]

I used to go to Bailey's under 18's, then Romeo's under 18's and of course graduated to 'grown up' Romeos (as did probably everyone else in Hull at that time - it was just what you did). 1971 a bit early for me though!.... Ah! The old run...Centre Bar, Cheese, Brunswick (for a quick game of darts for some reason??), Trog Bar, Dram Shop then onto Romeo's ... I'm filling up

Who's the DJ you were talking with? Is he ex Bailey's/Romeos?....

BTW, about 5 years ago we started a Romeo & Juliets 'revival' night at Welly Club on Beverley Road, booking Womack & Womack, Kenny Thomas, Gwen Dickey & Gwen McCrae over a couple of years..... (It was/is more a 'Juliets' night than 'Romeos' as you can imagine). We still have a Bank Holiday shindig when we can be bothered to get our heads together to do it.....

Happy days....

[Guest Carl Dixon]

Blimey - Centre Bar! That was a hotel and you could walk in wearing anything, yet Trogg Bar, I was not allowed in because I had sandshoes on and might step on some broken glass. Tim Jibson was the DJ. He had some fantastic stories about the place, especially when The Detroit Spinners came into the disco area (not the live) and did their routine to those early Philly hits they had, right there on the dance floor. Tim was telling me that at one point he was providing other DJ's American singles to play on their sessions. I have just got back from Hull and must admit, the centre looks good. There were actually people shopping and cues here and there. And I think the Marina looks fabulous. What about the Minerva re-opening again? Where was the Brunswick? It rings a bell. Do you remember Malcoms or Scamps, or even the Beerkeller?

[Daryl]

Blimey - Centre Bar! That was a hotel and you could walk in wearing anything, yet Trogg Bar, I was not allowed in because I had sandshoes on and might step on some broken glass. Tim Jibson was the DJ. He had some fantastic stories about the place, especially when The Detroit Spinners came into the disco area (not the live) and did their routine to those early Philly hits they had, right there on the dance floor. Tim was telling me that at one point he was providing other DJ's American singles to play on their sessions. I have just got back from Hull and must admit, the centre looks good. There were actually people shopping and cues here and there. And I think the Marina looks fabulous. What about the Minerva re-opening again? Where was the Brunswick? It rings a bell. Do you remember Malcoms or Scamps, or even the Beerkeller?

Hi Carl nice to see you at Hull Soul Club(any news on single releases)I was only 9 in 71 & did much the same as Steve Woomble.Did not realize that Tim Jibson was a soul lover he was on local radio (KCFM) until recently. Wonder if he still has his records?

Hope you can make it on 9 October for our 9th Anniversary with Ian Dewhirst.

Cheers Daryl

www.hullsoulclub.org.uk

[Guest Carl Dixon]

Hi Daryl. It was certainly nice to meet you and chat etc. You all certainly know your stuff. It was a breath of fresh air to talk about the music rather than health and hospital issues for which I was visiting in the first place. I really wanted to stay later (especially as I had a great parking spot on the front!), but I needed to get back to my parents place for obvious reasons.

Yes, Tim is a big soul fan He, Steve Massam, Charlie Hanna and a guy called Paul were the jocks in 1973 when I started going to Baileys. They are 100% responsible for me liking 60's and 70's soul in the Detroit/Philly vain. Without their choices and what they played, I would never have known about The Fascinations, Formations, Jay & the T,Bobby Hebb, Al Kent, Sons of Robin Stone, Al Downing, Don Downing etc. Because of that, I had a vision to go to the States. They are part of the story. Tim still has all his original records in the same cases. All numbered like back in the day. He was one of the very first DJ's in Hull to gig on a dual customised record deck contraption!

I can't make the 9th. I am working that whole weekend, infact for 5 days. It's a real pain. I loose almost 20 odd weekends a year like this. I am up next weekend for a family 40th. I would really have liked to surprise Ian though. That would have been funny! Another specialist who knows the drill.

As for the singles, the 2nd batch of test pressings have not been made yet. There was an issue with the first batch. As I work in TV my audio standards are quite high and I hear odd things on any medium. I probably am a little too critical, but I guess in the grand scheme it's worth dotting the 'i'. I will let everybody know when they are available.

Bit of a coincidence, but I took a two hour drumming lesson whilst up there, and the guy plays those amber coloured drums on your stage at the club on a Saturday night. He's a great drummer. next time I am up, more lessons!!

Edited September 17, 2009 by Carl Dixon

[spot]

Carl I didn't get into NS properly till Oct 72 but I remember Bailey's, went there with my mates from Hull when I was an Apprentice at Aerospace (Hawker Siddeley then), went on train or cadged a lift there, buggar to get home from as last train left at 11pm, so next one was 5am Milk train, remember you went up in a lift or by the stairs & the main room played Pop but the back room played all types of Soul music & I still can see the place when ever I hear Joe Simon - Step by Step, other place I remember in Hull for Northern was the Centre Bar on a Sunday night other than that Hull was a Northern Soul wasteland, a bit like Leeds, Big City but hardly any Soulies, unless it's 5 minutes away by Bus.

Take care,be safe & remember,"Waggy, Hoy,Waggy,Hoy,Waggy Waggy Waggy, Hoy Hoy Hoy",

Spot.

[Guest Carl Dixon]

Spot - I had a mate that worked at Hawker Siddley called Pat Fitzgerald! Ring any bells?

Yes, the lift and stairs. One night we went there, the lift fell from the 4th to midway between 1sty/2nd floors. We all had to climb out thinking the lift would at some stage continue downwards! We then continued up the stairs. Do you remember that incident when somebody was pushed over the top and died? Never knew that the Centre Bar had a soul night on a Sunday. I used to take records on a Sunday night to Baileys and Steve Massam would consider playing them. There was a man and woman that used to go every Monday, and they were pensioners and danced all night long. Always in the same spot on the dance floor. I can smell the Brut 33 even now. There were a couple of girls that used to work at the pickled onion factory on Hessle Road and indeed a few I think that worked at Brekkes, the fish packaging factory that went to Baileys. I even got myself a pair of baggies made to my own design. I drew the pockets out, and took the pattern to John Fords on Anlaby Road. When they turned up, they forgot to put the buttons on, and the design was not quite right. But.....they worked....''where did you get them' somebody said! I must have looked a twit. I remember one night a film crew came in and shot for hours. I think it was 16mm, but they had the bright lights etc. I really do hope that footage does not crop up. I will deny it's me....

[ImberBoy]

Blind Institute was my first exposure to Northern

Wallies on the top of Anlaby Road

centre bar, Martin Bird DJing

Beverley Mods

Hull Drifters

Wigan

Bradford

GP200 and great times

[Daryl]

Blind Institute was my first exposure to Northern

Wallies on the top of Anlaby Road

centre bar, Martin Bird DJing

Beverley Mods

Hull Drifters

Wigan

Bradford

GP200 and great times

Hi A few of us ran blind institute we where only teenagers but it was paid for by the young socialist party! & they let us do what we wanted (great times)

Daryl

[oldsteve woomble]

Where was the Brunswick? It rings a bell. Do you remember Malcoms or Scamps, or even the Beerkeller?

Brunswick was on Chapel Street (between Carr Lane & Paragon St, or for ease of reference the bit between the arcade and where Pioneer & Daily Mail offices used to be (later yankeeburger). It later became all sorts of things and is now Magma or summat. Some of the lads ran a soul night there on wednesday nights, about 12/13 years ago.... We all used to take turns spinning a few tunes......

Aye I remember Beerkeller and trying to get in (mostly unsuccessfully) under age, then later more successfully. And Scamps (became Odessey 2000 or summat with the phones on the tables) and Hoffbrauhaus (or whatever) next door (strippers on friday lunchtimes so I'm told - I only worked nextdoor so wouldn't know of course).......

The Paul you mentioned is Paul Rusling. He's the landlord at The Triton Inn at Brantingham (Brough/Welton) now and is still into his soul..... he's always got soul on when we go in there...

[Guest Carl Dixon]

Steve - is that the same Paul that worked in Sydney Scarboro's selling records then? He had some great records. He really knew his stuff. I remember buying 'Backfield in Motion' from him and he knew the catalogue number off by heart! He also spun a new record for me and said it would be a hit called ' You Little Trustmaker'. The rest is history.

As for the Beerkeller, don't use the mens after 9pm, as there was two inches of urine on the floor in there! And with long baggies, you could see it soaking up the legs about 5 inches ha ha!

You know something, I think I will try and contact Paul! He is part of the story. The 'DJ' is a massive influence on all of us. My life changed because of the work these few men did at Baileys/Annabellas. They must be acknowledged. They would empty a dance floor to break a new record. Weeks later, the same record would fill the dance floor. I remember buying about 10 copies on 'Yesterday (was just the begining of my life)', by John Miles on an orange 'Orange' label. I took it to Annabellas and Charlie Hannah played it. No response! I left the country for a year to live in Holland and returned to see it being played and filling Tiffanys dance floor. It was a thrill to see Charlie, doing that type of thing. Always wanted to give songs, records and people a break.

Yes, I recognise the Brunswick now. 'Scamps' had the best sound system I have ever heard in a disco. The high frequencies were unbelievable. Carl Christian and Carl Kingston DJ'd there back in those days. I never really liked Bali Hi. Never got to Malcoms, but that is where the likes of Donne Elbert would appear late60's early 70's. Blimey, I could talk forver about this. And Yankee Burger - best I have ever tasted to this day! My mum remembers that parade as being 'Chariot Street' before it was bombed in the war. She worked down there in the 1930's in a flower shop!

[ImberBoy]

I used to trip off to Wigan and later Bensons in Bradford, the car was owned by? But there were me, Mark Robbinson, Sean "Mick" Kerney, Barry ? and another chap. Megga times!

[ImberBoy]

Martin Sayner and I used to go allover for nighters

[oldsteve woomble]

Steve - is that the same Paul that worked in Sydney Scarboro's selling records then?

You know something, I think I will try and contact Paul! He is part of the story.

Not sure on that one Carl?... When you up here next? Nip in for a jar at his boozer and ask him!

I remember buying about 10 copies on 'Yesterday (was just the begining of my life)', by John Miles on an orange 'Orange' label.

Aye, a proper youth club disco record! 'One Minute Every Hour' was another one we've all probably tried to pull a bird to.......

Never got to Malcoms

Where was Malcolms Carl?....

She worked down there in the 1930's in a flower shop!

Not that I'm 74 or owt, but I do remember the flower shop being next to Pioneer Cafe. It was kind of set back from the road in a little sqaure, behind what would have been the frontage of Yankeeburger. I think the story was that John Science owned Pioneer as an American style cafe bar kinda thing (I clearly recall going in with me mam and remember thinking how cool the sugar shakers were) then he turned it into Yankeeburger (i think he actually called it Yankeeland). Burger heaven. Not to mention 'Frank The Yank' and 'Frank The Kraut' (the foot long frankfurter thingies). Happy days.

[Guest Carl Dixon]

Hi Steve -

'Malcoms' became 'Bali Hi' down George Street towards the University end. I never got there. I think Charriot Street would have gone through Yankee Burger backwards away from Jameson Street. I think that set back bit is the old entrance to the street, sort of rebuilt after the blitz.

[Guest soulalone]

Blind Institute was my first exposure to Northern

Wallies on the top of Anlaby Road

centre bar, Martin Bird DJing

Beverley Mods

Hull Drifters

Wigan

Bradford

GP200 and great times

Hi ImberBoy,

you seem to have almost the same soul apprenticeship as I did in Hull, the Blind Institute, Wallies,Centre Bar, and for a certain time a later Romeos & Juliets. I'm surprised we never met, or maybe we did ? Here's a few names you may remember from those times. Pete Robinson, Louie, Jimmy Platten, Nellie Platton, Carl Precious, big Alan Cambell, Timmy Peacham, Taffy, Martin Sayner, Trudy & Dianne, Dianne Galagher Tony Pontoon, Phil Wood (woodie), Paul Flew, Ricky (from Beverly I think ), Dave & Mike Lamoty, Pete Webster, Stuart (who was disabled but used to dance like a good 'un), Rikki Woolins & kim Who used to run the coach to Wigan sometimes from outside Ferensway. And Martyn Sayner of course. Pete Robinson used to dj at the blind & Wallys as well I think. I used to know most of the Hessle Rd crowd, just can't remember a lot of the names. By god, we used to have some interesting times on the bus back from Wigan when some of the more scally types joined us for a while. Some of the above unfortunately are now at the great all nighter in the sky ! I can't seem to remember Hull Drifters though. I left the UK in 1985 so maybe it was after that ? Cheers

Pete Gibbins ( Norwich )

[Guest soulalone]

Martin Sayner and I used to go allover for nighters

I used to know Martyn quite well years ago and I lived down the same street as Mark Robinson, known him since I was a lad, and been to many a nighter with him. We must know each other mate ? Is Martyn still into the music ?

Cheers

Pete.G

[Guest Andy Newbold]

A little late but I finaly found this thread lol

Carl

Nice to see ya mate. Not herd from you for a while, not since you sent me that link to your music.

Of course I remember Bailey's Rick Poskitt and I where ardent supporters of the establishment. We once dance on stage with the Four Tops in the cabaret side.

The Paul you spoke of if I remember correctly worked at Sid Scarboroughs and then managed the shop till it closed.

I used to take sounds in quite often and the jocks would sometimes play the odd one. I remember a coach load of guys coming in once and an insturental was played and these guys did a clapping routine to it, fair blew my socks off.

It was about 72 when we started going to Vikings at Goole as Spot will recall the bank holiday dayers there where super.

Bailey's for me was more a home than a club I used to collect glasses Monday to Wednesday for £5 a night then Thursday - Sunday spent giving it back.

Remember the stupid things you did as a youth like finishing work at 10pm going to Bailey's then getting home at 2am and up for work at 6am and then repeat it all over again.

I also frequented Centre Bar along with Scouce Terry and Johnno then of course there was the Soul Club at Centre Hotel on a Sunday that would have been 73-75 though as I can remember driving back to camp when I was in the RAF at Linton-on-Ouse afterwards with ears ringing still thinking I could hear Dobie Grey Out on the Floor in the background.

Andy

[Guest Scarborosoul]

Jewas all those names! Does no-one remember rhe Hospital Club? Merchant Navy house on Anlaby Rd? I loved Baileys Soul Music

, a shag down the third floor and a battle lol good times.

But who remembers Rocky, Kev Gooch, Paul & Pete Madden, Me and Andy, Glen Bables, Steve Kingsley PETE not Terry HARDMEAT one od the best spinners Ive ever seen! Who else? Jonno, ZAK Pete Earl?? Eeeee SPOT hope yr well Pete not seen you since Burnley nighter. After I moved to Scarboro it seems I was forgotten eeeeee Billy no mates.

Ey up Andy!!!!

Rick

[Guest Carl Dixon]

Blimey Andy N. Good to see you on here.

Now you mention the glass collecting, I vaguely remember seeing you do that. I missed out the 1972 era. If you remember we split Eastfield and all went our own ways to others schools. I ended up 2 years at Eastfield High, then from 1969/73 the grammar school where I was proud to fail my 'O' Levels due to excessive listening to RNI (Radio North Sea International), the pirate radio of choice for my generation. I only started going out in 1973 whilst I was still at school. Yes, I remember the split lips from lack of sleep too. We used to do at least 4/5 nights out at either Baileys or Annabela's. I probably will remember people by sight and not names, especially from about 6' 5", because my platforms nearly made me touch the ceiling. Who was the small chap with the moustache that used to live down Hawthorne Avenue you hung around with? I remember him up on the floor alot too.

You mentioned a coach load came in to Baileys once! The conversation I had with Tim( the DJ at Baileys) a few weeks ago, and he said do not discount Hull's contribution to soul music of that generation because of the imports that were played at the club. At the time he did not realise the sigificance, but for coach loads of dancers to come to Baileys, there must have been a good enough reason (and maybe not to return ha ha). Do you think, from your experience we were prvilaged and had some of the early sounds played there, but did not know it at the time? I think this is important, because I remember you flying off to Wigan and hearing all the tales on 'Steve Massam's 'Sunday Soul Spinners' eveing the next day (you know the one, where we all legged it for the last bus after around 1115pm and 'a bun in the oven' job ( was that the name?). Your colleague used to tell us the 'dance' stories.

Imberboy, are you actually from Hull then? I seemed to have missed out on the 'travel' to other venues both in and outside the city.

I remember the Merchant Navy House, but did not know it had soul nights. I remember the hospital club I think. I guess those were important era's for us all, establishing our charcters etc. Never realised that 35 years later we would be chatting about it on a PC though? I just tried to speak to Paul at the Triton, but he is not there yet. Maybe later.

Andy, stay in touch on here or Facebook. I finally did my Detroit and Philly sessions. It's been a rollercoaster and I can't believe how much passion for this music exists from something recorded in 1965! The musicians in Detroit were telling me all sorts! Edward Gooch , the trombone player was telling me before the recrodings that he played on 'most of the stuff that came out a small label called Ric Tic and Golden World'. My chin hit the floor. And of course Dennis Coffey played on loads of session there too and that is him on 'You gotta pay the price'. So it was Baileys, the atmosphere, the people, the songs, the DJ's there, that made me finally realise I had to do something musically in the future. Nothjing can replace those times, not even stood in the studio in Detroit. You are right Baileys was home. I think in my heart, if I had a chance to go back and stay...I would. I would gladly give up my middle age and reside there listening to the music. Can you imagine, no mobile phone, computer, petrol at 37p a gallon b/w tv, am radio. We must be old ha ha...

[Guest Carl Dixon]

Paul Rusling was a DJ at Baileys, but it is not the same Paul I am referring. The Triton pub owner set up Laser 558 in the 1980's! Now there's a story...I just had a chat with him...fascinating.

[Guest Andy Newbold]

Well I checked FB but there are 164 of you O_o and I'm not sure if I'd recognise you lol

So add me matey there's only 46 of me and I'm the one that looks like an Ice Hockey referee

[Guest Scarborosoul]

Hes always liked stripy shirts

[clarky22]

hi all

some great memories came flooding back,hospital club was my 1st experience of northern

anchor house.the kingston suite remember john vincent coming to do a spot one tuesday night

when george from skirlaugh died 76 ish i think .anyone remember the dayers at donny and the nighter when the law shut

it down 100s of soulies milling round donny waiting for the milk train.another spot was the four seasons in scarboro.baileys

was ok in the day tony allen carl kingston were djs when i attended.i still get about a bit hullsoul club just for a socail meet

wilton york rugby club my fav club night , crofton ,manifesto. see a few of the old crowd birdy ralph sayner steve gainey,nelly

taffy, marie, annette rob jewitt paul taylor. remember andy newbould from coxwold grove

[Guest Howard Varley]

Hello, my name is Howard, i was the manager of hull Scamps when carl christian, tony allen were the djs in the 70s ,  lots to share. Cmon  back to me. 

[Roburt]

They're just pulling the Skyline / Baileys / Romeo & Juliets building (the old Co-op) down … 

Edited March 24, 2019 by Roburt

[Roburt]

At the top of the stairs there's ...