Wigan Casino Vs Blackpool Mecca

[Alfie79]

in the 1978 Billboard proclame the Casino "the best disco in the world" (before the Paradise Garage in NYC)....

but someone says that if you want to hear good music you must went at Mecca..it's true!!!

which are your opinion....especially for the people that have crowded that place...

[Sebastian]

in the 1978 Billboard proclame the Casino "the best disco in the world"

Does anyone have a clipping of that article? Or at least know which issue or month it was issued?

[funkyfeet]

in the 1978 Billboard proclame the Casino "the best disco in the world" (before the Paradise Garage in NYC)....

but someone says that if you want to hear good music you must went at Mecca..it's true!!!

which are your opinion....especially for the people that have crowded that place...

Hard to compare one was a soul night the other a nighter.

[Goldsoul]

Hard to compare one was a soul night the other a nighter.

Chico/Mark....Sorry to hijack your banter......but there's an opportunity to decide which was best, this Saturday at Blackpool Tower as COLIN CURTIS battles it out with Richard and myself.

All done is the best possible taste!

[Mark B]

for me it will always be the Mecca that was best.

mark

[Guest]

Not a question I can answer one way or the other. BOTH were great places in completely different ways. 70's Saturdays so often started at the Mecca and ended at Wigan. We were just lucky that we didn't have to choose, simply enjoy, after all, isn't that what the music was/is about!

[Davetay]

Not a question I can answer one way or the other. BOTH were great places in completely different ways. 70's Saturdays so often started at the Mecca and ended at Wigan. We were just lucky that we didn't have to choose, simply enjoy, after all, isn't that what the music was/is about!

The best for the music the Mecca by a country mile. (always loads of new stuff to hear every week)

The best for the atmosphere the Casino wins hands down. (watching that dancefloor from the balcony was amazing)

Like you said both great in completely ways.

However the Mecca rocked my boat more.

Dave.

[Guest]

The best for the music the Mecca by a country mile. (always loads of new stuff to hear every week)

The best for the atmosphere the Casino wins hands down. (watching that dancefloor from the balcony was amazing)

Like you said both great in completely ways.

However the Mecca rocked my boat more.

Dave.

The Mecca .

WC did have its' moments , those being the first 15 months , and when Richard was at the height of his reign .

Except for those two periods , no contest ......

Malc Burton

[KevH]

Hard to compare one was a soul night the other a nighter.

Don't start that again.. .The Mecca for me.

[Guest proudlove]

Don't start that again.. .The Mecca for me.

The Mecca for me .............the only place (after the Torch) where the music would make me say..........what the f..k(in a nice way)is this............

And I was going out with a beautiful blue eyed brunette at the time that love the Mecca................but that doesn't sway my opinion slightly................

[Guest wigan bob]

Does anyone have a clipping of that article? Or at least know which issue or month it was issued?

wigan casino by a country girl mile

[Pete Coulson]

for me it will always be the Mecca that was best.

mark

me to mark

[Pete Coulson]

for me it will always be the Mecca that was best.

mark

me to mark

[Guest JIM BARRY]

the consencus says the mecca and i have to agree, the mecca was all about the music and didn't play any of the crappy pop stuff and let the t.v cameras in to advertise it, wigan was a platform for a lot of people to learn about the world of northern soul so a lot of people ventured through the doors to see what it was all about.the mecca kept it pure and unadulterated,the djs kept up the standards throughout, at wigan it all got a bit of a joke with wigans ovation and as for the best disco in the world, well that statement speaks volumes to a soulie, yes searling was a god to many and rightly deserved along with pat and gary he kept it real,and dave evison kept the oldies in vogue,the rest of em opened their play boxes to the bootleggers but thats another story. if i had my time over , i would go to the highland room every week,and the casino the last two years.

[KevH]

the consencus says the mecca and i have to agree, the mecca was all about the music and didn't play any of the crappy pop stuff and let the t.v cameras in to advertise it, wigan was a platform for a lot of people to learn about the world of northern soul so a lot of people ventured through the doors to see what it was all about.the mecca kept it pure and unadulterated,the djs kept up the standards throughout, at wigan it all got a bit of a joke with wigans ovation and as for the best disco in the world, well that statement speaks volumes to a soulie, yes searling was a god to many and rightly deserved along with pat and gary he kept it real,and dave evison kept the oldies in vogue,the rest of em opened their play boxes to the bootleggers but thats another story. if i had my time over , i would go to the highland room every week,and the casino the last two years.

Hang on Jim,don't over egg it.. .Candi Staton - Young hearts run free?..but overall the better venue ...for me...

[Guest Phoenix8049]

Not a question I can answer one way or the other. BOTH were great places in completely different ways. 70's Saturdays so often started at the Mecca and ended at Wigan. We were just lucky that we didn't have to choose, simply enjoy, after all, isn't that what the music was/is about!

Totally agree 100%.

Both wonderful places that i am glad of having the privilage to go to.

Stu.

[Alfie79]

sorry an other asking...there are a lot of people that comes from south england?...people make a lot of mile to comes in? thats venue have a great eco also in the other part of uk? someone from other country in europe?

now is more easy with the web era....i'm 30 and comes from south italy...start to love that kind of music in the late 90's....probably when my soul goes down from the heaven in 1979 make a stop there

[Guest Ste Brazil]

If anybody has a time machine i'd like to go back and have a night at the Mecca please, unfortunately i was waaay too young at the time to go anywhere but primary school!

Ste.

[Wiganer1]

If anybody has a time machine i'd like to go back and have a night at the Mecca please, unfortunately i was waaay too young at the time to go anywhere but primary school!

Ste.

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never went the mecca - but Wigan was the best!!

[Ritchieandrew]

Hang on Jim,don't over egg it.. .Candi Staton - Young hearts run free?..but overall the better venue ...for me...

The first big Mecca record by Candi Staton was 'Now you've got the upper hand'. Used to do both venues in one night, & buy records @ the Mecca then sell them @ 100% profit in Wigan. Preffered the Mecca as it was musically superior.

Ricardo.

[Guest Ste Brazil]

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never went the mecca - but Wigan was the best!!

I want a night at Wigan too, and Cleethorpes..!

Ste.

[Sebastian]

Does anyone have a clipping of that article? Or at least know which issue or month it was issued?

A gentle bump on this. Can anyone throw up a scan of that article or point me to which issue it was printed in so that I can go find it.

[Guest martyn]

A gentle bump on this. Can anyone throw up a scan of that article or point me to which issue it was printed in so that I can go find it.

I've never seen the article , I often wondered if it was a figment of somebody's imagination or an amphetimine fuelled quip that got out of hand ....................

[Ernie Andrews]

I do remember seeing the aritcle!

Anyhow the two venues were quite different in terms of music- experience and atmosphere.

So For Music - The mecca by amile

Experience - Wigan - One purple light made the place quite eery at times especially when playing Cats eyes

Atmosphere- a draw except when artisst were on as the Mecca seemed to host them better than the casino.

[Sebastian]

I've never seen the article , I often wondered if it was a figment of somebody's imagination or an amphetimine fuelled quip that got out of hand ....................

I've always been hesitant to believe that Billboard awarded Wigan Casino as the best disco in the world. Mainly beacuse it was a club that mostly played old music and it would go against what Billboard stood/stands for (i.e. promoting brand new music). But I'd love to be proven wrong as it's such a widespread and accepted claim that there hopefully is some truth to it. A scan of the article would be great if anyone of you has got it.

The only mention of "Wigan Casino" in Billboard Magazine that I've been able to find so far is in a paragraph about Chosen Few's "Footsie" from a february 1975 issue.

[KevH]

The first big Mecca record by Candi Staton was 'Now you've got the upper hand'. Used to do both venues in one night, & buy records @ the Mecca then sell them @ 100% profit in Wigan. Preffered the Mecca as it was musically superior.

Ricardo.

Same here Ricardo,both in a night.Just pointing out the "Pop tunes " part,all good fun .Of course you are right about "NYGTUH".

[Epic]

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never went the mecca - but Wigan was the best!!

If you never went to The Mecca - how do you know if it was not as good as Wigan ??????

Myself I absolutely loved The Mecca - enjoyed Wigan as well - we were privliged back then to have both.

Used to leave my house at 6.45 pm on a Saturday & arrive home about lunchtime Sunday after doing both venues - magic !!!!!

[Guest]

in the 1978 Billboard proclame the Casino "the best disco in the world" (before the Paradise Garage in NYC)....

but someone says that if you want to hear good music you must went at Mecca..it's true!!!

which are your opinion....especially for the people that have crowded that place...

The Mecca...ABSOLUTLEY

Casino.....must have been a misprint in Billboard

[Guest]

The Mecca...ABSOLUTLEY

Casino.....must have been a misprint in Billboard

I have done several searches on the internet , in the hopes of finding the Billboard article relating to Wigan Casino being honoured with the title of " Best Disco in the World " , but to no avail .

If WC was given this esteemed accolade by Billboard , there must have been a plaque or certificate given to the management in honour of it : if this did happen , several relatative questions now come to my mind in respect of it ......

A ) When , where and who presented it ? Was it done at an all -nighter ?

B ) Has anyone ever seen the award ?

C ) Is it still with us , or was it destroyed in the great fire ?

Malc Burton

Edited April 30, 2010 by Malc Burton

[Ged Parker]

I have done several searches on the internet , in the hopes of finding the Billboard article relating to Wigan Casino being honoured with the title of " Best Disco in the World " , but to no avail .

If WC was given this esteemed accolade by Billboard , there must have been a plaque or certificate given to the management in honour of it : if this did happen , several relatative questions now come to my mind in respect of it ......

A ) When , where and who presented it ? Was it done at an all -nighter ?

B ) Has anyone ever seen the award ?

C ) Is it still with us , or was it destroyed in the great fire ?

Malc Burton

I can remember it hapening and saw the articles at the time (78 or 79ish), I think it was Studio 54 that was runner up. I did see the article way back then but now understand that, in true billboard style, the calculation was done using numbers of registered members as the criteria and that alone.

I know for a fact I had a least three memberships in my time at the Casino and each had a new number; so hardly scientific. If you think someone is going to fly in from the States to give a plaque to a club in Wigan frankly you're sadly mistaken.

Musically the Mecca was better but for an overall experience the Casino did it for me.

[Davetay]

The first big Mecca record by Candi Staton was 'Now you've got the upper hand'. Used to do both venues in one night, & buy records @ the Mecca then sell them @ 100% profit in Wigan. Preffered the Mecca as it was musically superior.

Ricardo.

Yes Ritchie, buying records at Blackpool and selling at Wigan always a good way to get some extra money.

Dave.

Edited April 30, 2010 by davetay

[Guest Perception]

in the 1978 Billboard proclame the Casino "the best disco in the world" (before the Paradise Garage in NYC)....

but someone says that if you want to hear good music you must went at Mecca..it's true!!!

In the early days the records at the Mecca were great, by 1978 the Mecca was playing too much Jazz/Funk type records, they lost the Faith!

Blackpool Mecca was a Soul Night but Wigan Casino was an All-Nighter!

How good would the attendance at the Mecca have been, if it was not 30 miles from the biggest Allnighter in the UK?

Edited April 30, 2010 by Perception

[Davetay]

In the early days the records at the Mecca were great, by 1978 the Mecca was playing too much Jazz/Funk type records, they lost the Faith!

Blackpool Mecca was a Soul Night but Wigan Casino was an All-Nighter!

How good would the Mecca have been if it was not 30 miles from the biggest Allnighter in the UK?

The Mecca was running for over two years before the Casino openned!

So if Wigan had not have opened it the Mecca would still have good.

Richard S., Kev R.& Ian D. all went to the Mecca to hear new sounds.

Yes, Blackpool was good with or without Wigan being close by.

Wigan opened the doors to Northern Soul to alot more people, so more people became aware of N.S.

Dave.

Edited April 30, 2010 by davetay

[Alfie79]

i have made a quote on billboard article by the book "last nite a dj saved my life"

however in my second post there are some other asks..... remade: have you ever met someone from foreign country or from an very long distance in wigan or at mecca???

[Davetay]

i have made a quote on billboard article by the book "last nite a dj saved my life"

however in my second post there are some other asks..... remade: have you ever met someone from foreign country or from an very long distance in wigan or at mecca???

Yes the artists from the USA.

[Guest]

i have made a quote on billboard article by the book "last nite a dj saved my life"

however in my second post there are some other asks..... remade: have you ever met someone from foreign country or from an very long distance in wigan or at mecca???

Distance travelled......WE, the Luton/Leighton Buzzard/Toddington/Dunstable crowd, on average 15 of us, used to regularly, (every week)go to the Cats/Mecca/Torch, personally only went to WC once and that was with Soulcarp, I would agree was better buzz at WC but the Mecca played classier sounds.......about a 180 mile trip to Blackpool , and I recall we knew some lads who used to travel over from Dublin every couple of weeks.

[Wicked]

just looking at an old copy of northern noise (no. 3) where the casino was top current all nighter,top all time all nighter and top overall venue, but then it would be woudn't it, as they published it.

[Guest]

Music = Mecca

Atmosphere = Wigan

Choice = WHY?

[Guest Old Soul]

Went to both but more to Wigan,

just a privilege to have been there at the time early to mid 70's, just found my way back.

[Dranny]

Music = Mecca

Atmosphere = Wigan

Choice = WHY?

Music = Mecca

Atmosphere = Wigan

Choice = WHY?

Bang on ther fella

Mecca = Gucci

Wigan =Ben Sherman , Brutus , Jaytex

Yes how can u choose all class in there time

and all had atmos too

Martyn

[Guest]

Music = Mecca

Atmosphere = Wigan

Choice = WHY?

Bang on ther fella

Mecca = Gucci

Wigan =Ben Sherman , Brutus , Jaytex

Yes how can u choose all class in there time

and all had atmos too

Martyn

Cheers for that - Maybe am just getting sensible in my very old age

[Guest]

I can remember it hapening and saw the articles at the time (78 or 79ish), I think it was Studio 54 that was runner up. I did see the article way back then but now understand that, in true billboard style, the calculation was done using numbers of registered members as the criteria and that alone.

I know for a fact I had a least three memberships in my time at the Casino and each had a new number; so hardly scientific. If you think someone is going to fly in from the States to give a plaque to a club in Wigan frankly you're sadly mistaken.

Musically the Mecca was better but for an overall experience the Casino did it for me.

Silly of me for being mistaken ....... mistaken , but " sadly " not so

Given the alleged award was a prestigious accolade from a prestigious publication , I naturally presumed that something materialistic would have been forthcoming - i.e. a plaque / certificate or similar in recognition of the achievement - and that a corporate representative from Billboard would have been involved .

Malc Burton

Edited May 1, 2010 by Malc Burton

[Guest SteveJohnston]

Silly of me for being mistaken ....... mistaken , but " sadly " not so

Given the alleged award was a prestigious accolade from a prestigious publication , I naturally presumed that something materialistic would have been forthcoming - i.e. a plaque / certificate or similar in recognition of the achievement - and that a corporate representative from Billboard would have been involved .

Malc Burton

https://books.google.com/books?lr=&cd=3&as_pt=MAGAZINES&q=wigan+casino&btnG=Search+Books

Malc i've spent hours looking in the past & i can't find anything on the Casino beeing voted best disco by Billboards i hope we are wrong on this one mate but i can't help thinking we may not be!

[Ian Parker]

I personally visited Wigan Casino FOUR times and the Mecca ONCE.

the times i went to Wigan, 2 were oldies anniversaries, 1 was 7th Anniv and the other was a christmas all niter (79). The 3 annivs were Rammed the other was ok (ish). the only time i went to Blackpool was summer 1980, went up to the highland room to some kind of 'Soul night' whilst a general Disco was goin on downstairs. i think i caught it when past its' sell by date, but i also remember it being busy and very soulful.

I was 18 around that time so its a bit hazy, but i do remember the atmosphere at the Casino, nothing like it , so i've got to go for that. Just a shame i never caught the Mecca in its heyday, no doubt a magical place

[Soul Stu]

Blackpool,Wigan,there will never be an era like it. Yes, Northern Soul is alive in many clubs but the seventies were something else. Wigan or Blackpool just chill everyone. Mr Levine unearthed some awesome sounds as did Russ and Richard. So remember the era, whether it's the Highland Room or the Casino, we have all got our memories, cherish them, we aint getting any younger. Unfortunately, Wigan actually popularised the scene. Let's not forget the awful Wigan's Ovations terrible rendition of Skiing in the Snow

[Paul R]

I used to regularly go to both from 73-76, although I was more a Wigan regular than Mecca. THey were both brilliant in their own way, but for anyone that thinks they didn't play "pop" at Mecca, "Superlove", "10 Miles High", Many's The Slip", "Caught With My Heart Down", Turning My Heartbeat Up" etc are all Ian Levine, Mecca played discoveries. The night I was really put off the Mecca, was when I left the Highland room while they were playing Esther Phillips "What A Difference A Day Makes", went down into the divvy room, and they were playing it there. Also when they started doining the dancing hand in hand bit(was it the Hustle?).

Wigan did play a lot of crap, but it was my second home.

Paul

[Guest]

https://books.google.com/books?lr=&cd=3&as_pt=MAGAZINES&q=wigan+casino&btnG=Search+Books

Malc i've spent hours looking in the past & i can't find anything on the Casino beeing voted best disco by Billboards i hope we are wrong on this one mate but i can't help thinking we may not be!

Before the " thoushaltnotslanderthenameofthescredshrine " brigade get up in arms , I am not stating or insinuating that the award never existed or was presented : I am now - like many others - wanting more and creditable evidence i.e. the Billboard article

One of the main problems I have with with this now mythical beast , is to the clarification of / for the reason behind , and why Billboard bestowed the accolade of " Best Disco in the World " on / to WC .

One of the stated reasons was that Billboard had determined their voting because WC by / in 1978 , had 100,000 members .

100,000 members ? i am not saying that this was incorrect or falsified , but again it is a subject open for debate : how many of those alleged 100,000 memberships were duplicated ? one SS member on this thread openly admits to having three membership cards , and I had two .

This now leads it open for SS members to confirm how many membership cards they had , then we can deduct the number of duplications from the 100,000 to give the actual WC membership ........

Malc Burton

.

[Davetay]

Before the " thoushaltnotslanderthenameofthescredshrine " brigade get up in arms , I am not stating or insinuating that the award never existed or was presented : I am now - like many others - wanting more and creditable evidence i.e. the Billboard article

One of the main problems I have with with this now mythical beast , is to the clarification of / for the reason behind , and why Billboard bestowed the accolade of " Best Disco in the World " on / to WC .

One of the stated reasons was that Billboard had determined their voting because WC by / in 1978 , had 100,000 members .

100,000 members ? i am not saying that this was incorrect or falsified , but again it is a subject open for debate : how many of those alleged 100,000 memberships were duplicated ? one SS member on this thread openly admits to having three membership cards , and I had two .

This now leads it open for SS members to confirm how many membership cards they had , then we can deduct the number of duplications from the 100,000 to give the actual WC membership ........

Malc Burton

.

I think I had five maybe even six, and most of my mates back than had more then one.

Cards lost or cards lent to other people etc.

Dave.

[Guest proudlove]

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never went the mecca - but at Wigan I wore a vest!!

I think he means that Phil

[Guest martyn]

Before the " thoushaltnotslanderthenameofthescredshrine " brigade get up in arms , I am not stating or insinuating that the award never existed or was presented : I am now - like many others - wanting more and creditable evidence i.e. the Billboard article

One of the main problems I have with with this now mythical beast , is to the clarification of / for the reason behind , and why Billboard bestowed the accolade of " Best Disco in the World " on / to WC .

One of the stated reasons was that Billboard had determined their voting because WC by / in 1978 , had 100,000 members .

100,000 members ? i am not saying that this was incorrect or falsified , but again it is a subject open for debate : how many of those alleged 100,000 memberships were duplicated ? one SS member on this thread openly admits to having three membership cards , and I had two .

This now leads it open for SS members to confirm how many membership cards they had , then we can deduct the number of duplications from the 100,000 to give the actual WC membership ........

Malc Burton

.

Likewise Malc , I would love to see the ORIGINAL article .Every time I have seen this claim in print it has been a secondry UK publication . I have serious doubts about this claim - but look forward to being corrected (hopefully)

On the membership front I think I had a green one & a later blue one