Your Top 10 Northern Soul 'characters'

[Guest]

Brian Rae-DJ

Jethro-Dancer

HildaWoods-Money Collector

Jill Bayles-Best Old Friend (Female)

Kevnewry-Best lrish Friend

Bob Kidd-Army Friend (We went to all the all-nighters together)

Peter Cogley-School Friend (Who got me into this glorious mess! )

Frank Elson-For his columns in B&S magazine

Russ Winstanley-For Wigan Casino....love him or hate him...he did it

Barry May-For giving me the best times of my life downstairs at Bradford!

[ImberBoy]

Sorry in advance if I spell any ones name wrong

1. Kev Roberts

The best ambassador for Northernsoul we have ever had.

2. Ian Levine

Trend setter never a follower

3. Bob Hinsley

Excellent DJ and one of the nicest blokes any one could hope to meet

4. Martyn Bird

Cool dude hard as nails top lad always had time for young pups like me back in the day.

5. Bub

Barnsley legend and a wonderful human being RIP mate.

6. Sheila

Omnipresent never a bad word for any one, totally dedicated soulie, great tits

7. My Missus

Only ever once stopped me from going to an allnighter when she was six months pregnant but apart from that top bird who I love, great tits as well

8. All my Northernsoul family

These are the friends and mates, who I feel totally at home with, comfortable with and part of my life's landscape, hand shakes, hugs, kisses, giggles, the best people I have ever met in my life!

9. Dave Rimmer

Top geezer, always has time for you

10. Tenth place goes to the character who changes every Nighter or soul do, the man, or woman who you can see getting totally lost for the moment in Northernsoul when some musical trigger fires out some thing personal and touching, you can see the real human spirit in that moment and it is what drives us to be immersed in these sounds. Tenth place is to the character who is visible struck for that moment by a bolt of Northernsoul.

11. My mate Derek who is my allnighter buddy, we travel a well trodden path but enjoy every step. We have different tastes but the same passion.

12. Robbo from Manchester for being my friend and allowing me close to him.

How many are we allowed coz I could list many more people who I respect and admire.

[ImberBoy]

Webby as soon as I started to think about the list I was scratching my head but as it started I thought the list could go on and on.

I like this thread, it's only been on a little while but its making me remember some many people, faces n places I had filed away.

I remember the first soul do for me, Blackpool Mecca at 14 watching a top bird in a circle skirt spinning wearing stockings, I became a Northernsoul fan on the spot!

Loads of characters to remember, loads of mile stones on memory lane and its now a longggggggggg lane!

[Guest]

One of the most memorable characters was Pete Lawson.

[Julie Moore]

1............. My four elder brothers ........... Dave , Mick, Phil& kev ( for introducing me to this wonderful scene )

2........... My younger brother Chris (for also carrying the Moore tradition on )

3............Richard Serling ........ top dj

4............ Gerrie Grainger ............for recording (I go to pieces ) which brings me too tears everytime

5............ All my good buddies through out 30yrs of being on the scene

6 ..............My brother Kev ..........for putting up with my NO KNOWLEDGE of records and stopping me buying shit stuff

7............ The organisers of PRESTATYN for giving me some of my best moments for the last 9 yrs

8.............. My mate Kimberley ............for being my bedroom buddy for the last 9 yrs at weekenders ...........your a star girl

9.............Soul-source for being one of the best sites on the net for knowledge of the scene and also for giving me a great laugh everyday

10......... My great mate Moldie for giving me lifts here there & everywhere and making me laugh all the way he has a lot to put up with

May I have number eleven ?

Well I am

11 All my new found mates .............your great every last one of you

Edited May 22, 2010 by julie moore

[Mick Howard]

The 'characters' then:

Kev 'Fev' Featherstone for his seemingly endless knowledge of 'our thing' & for his wicked sense of humour (like keeping me on the phone for ages even though he knows I don't like it)

Keb Darge for his North East Scottish outlook (they are of a certain type) & keeping us 'waiting for the beat'.

Pete Lawson for being completely barmy but also for his passion about 'our thing' - anyone remember his mental dancing at Stafford?

Mickey Cruise also for being completely barmy & being misunderstood (not because he's misunderstood in a psychological way but because without his teeth he's er misunderstood....)

Anita from Oldham for her nuttyness & listening to me when I told her to listen to 60's newies.

Mark Bicknell for being larger than life & for being my mate for over 25 years.

Scotty from Stockport for his whistling.....

There have been many more over the years but these guys come to mind first.

Mick

[Guest]

A purely personal choice this one. Some good friends and some acquaintances that i've known for years and years.

In no particular order

Dean Walker from Wath

Met him down the 100 club mid 80's when him and Derek Robertson were working together in London. Lost contact and met up again at Bradford Queens Hall.. Lost contact again and met up again at one early Southport weekender. Been good mates ever since. All round top fella.

Barry May.

For Bradford and after chatting on some long gone House music forum ( were singing well type singing Cheryl Berdell much to the confusion of every one else) Been good friends ever since and Dj'd together at Frodsham

Ady Croasdell

For showing me the right path as a spotty 16yr old Mod at the first 100 club all niter.

Dick Coombes.

First person i ever heard play Northern Soul at Scamps Southend a Mod club in 1980 that played Soul music of all things.

Chad Fredricks

For running Scamps and putting us Eastend mods on the road to Soul music

Jon Buck

All round top man and allowing me to Dj at Peterborough mid 80's Another old Mod

Sean Adams.

Skinhead Sean from the Enfield Shitheads. Regular at the 100 club not seen him since i bumped into him at Bretby late 90's Just possibly the most maddest person i've ever met, but he's always been great to me

Ian Clarke.

Introduced me to Modern Soul and sold me loads of records even in that dodgy shop off Oxford St.

Keb Darge

Another 100 club acquaintance. I've known Keb for 30yrs but never been more than music friends but he's always had time to talk. He's also been a huge musical influence to me, apart form that country and western he plays now.

Mick Smith

For being my favourite 100 club dj ever.

Tha tha that's all folks

Edited May 22, 2010 by Guest

[Guest]

Pete Lawson for being completely barmy but also for his passion about 'our thing' - anyone remember his mental dancing at Stafford?

Totally agree with you about Pete. Mad as a box of frogs. Bought a few records off him here and there. Just never knew him well enough

[Guest Lobster Madras]

For sure... Pete had character(s) written on his chest .. very entertaining with a razor sharp if sometimes abstract wit... The No 1 !!

Edited May 22, 2010 by Lobster Madras

[Guest Byrney]

Literally!!

Can't do a top 10 off the top of my head but two to sit near Pete in the list is Phill Worrell (who was in good form at TOTW reunion) and Ozzie (RIP mucker)

[Guest]

Brian Rae-DJ

Jethro-Dancer

HildaWoods-Money Collector

Jill Bayles-Best Old Friend (Female)

Kevnewry-Best lrish Friend

Bob Kidd-Army Friend (We went to all the all-nighters together)

Peter Cogley-School Friend (Who got me into this glorious mess! )

Frank Elson-For his columns in B&S magazine

Russ Winstanley-For Wigan Casino....love him or hate him...he did it

Barry May-For giving me the best times of my life downstairs at Bradford!

Oh behave .......

Malc Burton

[Julie Moore]

You can't have No.11 (well not unless l'm one of 'em)

And no.4 is out cos l said no kin artists....No heartbreak on this thread,thank you!

Sorry boss man

[Guest]

my proper buddy Gaz Kellett

[Guest]

Chad Fredricks

For running Scamps and putting us Eastend mods on the road to Soul music

Sean Adams.

Skinhead Sean from the Enfield Shitheads. Regular at the 100 club not seen him since i bumped into him at Bretby late 90's Just possibly the most maddest person i've ever met, but he's always been great to me

Bloody hell I haven't seen Chad for a trillion years (well about 18 in reality)! His partner in crime Del, took me to my first 100 club - shortly before he went all weird and went travelling round India.

And Sean was a nutter but lovely to me. He used to willingly massage me whenever I got cramp - mostly in my calves on the dancefloor

[Chris L]

Tony Rounce for telling me and my mates about Northern Soul, telling Ian Levine we'd come up north where we got a warm welcome

Ian Levine - for about 50 things of which only 1 is negative

Les Cockell - he really made us laugh (I think)

Tony Jebb- he made us laugh even more (nice stride there Tony :-)

Richard Searling - getting us on the radio for 2 hours where we yacked a load of old bo**ocks and played some wonderful NS tunes.

Alans S - DJ superstar at the Cats - let me look at his record box on my first night at any NS venue, boy did I ever write down some titles, labels, etc.

Bob Shoreman - My 1st true Northern Soulmate, the only bloke I knew who could dance to the left whilst his trousers went to the right

Kev Roberts - for getting some of the artists we both love on his radio show

The Stoke DJs - Neil, Nige, Sean, et al........they make my UK trips all worthwhile

The Bloke Who Built The Golden Torch - can't imagine life without that place having existed

[Russ Vickers]

Randy Cozens

Micky Cruze

Skinhead Sean

Tony Smith (1)

Rob Holmes

Fudge

Gavin Page

Bully

Dave Greet

Dave Abbott

.......................................& one of my longest personal & NS friends Steve Csordas, he's being a twat right now () but I love ya bro' & hope we'll be back on the road together soon.............plus about a 100 others who I keep remembering, Lenny Dopson, Marco Santucci, Lloyd Attrill, Karl Heard, Chris n Marcelle, Dave Thorley, Keb Darge, Guy Hennigan, Dave Moore, Irish Greg, Jet, the Brighton Belles, Shay Richardson, Jason , Molly, Flanny, Toby, John Weston, Ady Croasdell, Trickster, Kev Moore, Andy Dyson, Johnny Beggs, Steve Plum, Johnny Manship, Garry Dennis, Ivor Jones, Johnny Fingers, Dave Ferguson, Des Parker, Ady Pountain, Soul Sam, Shifty, Billy from Burnley (from back in the day) Ray Gillen, Dicky, Soul Frank, Paul & Sonia Stead, Dolly, Dave Rivers, Taffy, Gilly, Adam, Saus, Mo, Back Door Kenny, Little Ben, Ben Summers, Tef, Terry Jones, Shane Cox, Kirsty, ..............phew loads more too,

Russ

[Agentsmith]

ginger & christine taylor

rona & kenny burrell

sam & kev roberts

sarah & dave evison

judith & richard searling

dave rimmer

dave rivers

pete eccles

mr & mrs j bentley

nige & kate

nige & carmen

sean & michelle

snapper leedham

carole.c & big paul

colin curtis

kingy

bob hinsley

robbo

adey croasdell

butch

mick smith

tim brown

henry atkinson

MICK.H

DO YOU WANT ME TO STOP? a lot of good friends there all with totally different personalities that make this scene so cosmopolitanly colourful and people who, over the last decade, have given me and my other half so much happiness and enjoyment...some we dont see very much now and others we do, nevertheless, great tunes and great memories

[Guest]

Bloody hell I haven't seen Chad for a trillion years (well about 18 in reality)! His partner in crime Del, took me to my first 100 club - shortly before he went all weird and went travelling round India.

And Sean was a nutter but lovely to me. He used to willingly massage me whenever I got cramp - mostly in my calves on the dancefloor

I was out with Chad the other week. He's split from Jenny and started going out again. He's been to 100club a few times this year to.

Had a lot of time for Sean we go back to Scooters in the early 80's. Shame he's got demons.

[Guest]

Sorry in advance if I spell any ones name wrong

1. Kev Roberts

The best ambassador for Northernsoul we have ever had......

2. Ian Levine

Trend setter never a follower

3. Bob Hinsley

Excellent DJ and one of the nicest blokes any one could hope to meet

4. Martyn Bird

Cool dude hard as nails top lad always had time for young pups like me back in the day.

5. Bub

Barnsley legend and a wonderful human being RIP mate.

6. Sheila

Omnipresent never a bad word for any one, totally dedicated soulie, great tits

7. My Missus

Only ever once stopped me from going to an allnighter when she was six months pregnant but apart from that top bird who I love, great tits as well........totally agree

8. All my Northernsoul family

These are the friends and mates, who I feel totally at home with, comfortable with and part of my life's landscape, hand shakes, hugs, kisses, giggles, the best people I have ever met in my life!

9. Dave Rimmer

Top geezer, always has time for you

10. Tenth place goes to the character who changes every Nighter or soul do, the man, or woman who you can see getting totally lost for the moment in Northernsoul when some musical trigger fires out some thing personal and touching, you can see the real human spirit in that moment and it is what drives us to be immersed in these sounds. Tenth place is to the character who is visible struck for that moment by a bolt of Northernsoul.

11. My mate Derek who is my allnighter buddy, we travel a well trodden path but enjoy every step. We have different tastes but the same passion.

12. Robbo from Manchester for being my friend and allowing me close to him.

How many are we allowed coz I could list many more people who I respect and admire.

[Guest]

Del, took me to my first 100 club - shortly before he went all weird and went travelling round India.

Was it in that dodgy Beetle, where if it rained as a passenger you had to put your arm in the glove box, reach round and work the wipers and if he went over a bump the horn went off.

Not seen Del for years we were quite matey at one time. He ran of with his mates wife.

Edited May 23, 2010 by Guest

[Pete S]

I've always looked up to and admired people who I can learn things from, so I'm talking about people like

Roger Nicholls

Dave Kilworth

Tony Rounce

Gene Robertson

Mick Smith

real 'record' people with amazing knowledge - these people are my 'top Northern Soul characters'.

Oh and a posthumous mention must go to Dave McCadden who always made me laugh.

[Pete S]

Lord forgive me, I forgot to add Roy Gelder to that list, I remember thinking I knew the lot about British and one day this package arrived with about 10 c90's, all of UK stuff and 50% of which I didn't know - sent by Roy totally off the cuff, didn't even know him then. What a kind thing to do.

Ian Dewhirst - never met him either but his tales and knowledge leave me spellbound, ditto the great man himself Ian levine.

I do like record men

[Guest North End Soul]

my proper buddy Gaz Kellett

Just been chatting to Gaz, still well & truly off his box.

[Philt]

Just been chatting to Gaz, still well & truly off his box.

Kinell, only Gaz. Tell him I miss him (but not on Sunday mornings). He'd be right up there at the top of my list for sure; here's the rest (characters that is, loads of folk I've the utmost admiration and respect for of course):

Ian C (had everything, knows everything and everyone)

Mickey C

Joan

Malcolm from Stockport (for his vest n dancing at Morecambe)

Big Scotty (for his whistling - good call that man - and black hands. Told me he was a dentist )

Alan Coney (for various high jinks involving wrestling masks etc)

Joey Dunlop

Killa (for eating an apple live on the radio and his CDs)

Keb n Guy for playing em and Barry Wad for finding em

Nearly forgot ... Banksie (for his all round juvenility and especially for his professionalism when introducing Daisy Burris's 'four strong winds')

Edited November 8, 2010 by PhilT

[Dazdakin]

Paul "MUD" Muddimer RIP . My best mate in the world who i miss dearly.

Phil Worrell - For makin the 80's a different class

Tommo or Bomber - love him or loathe him once you got behind the allnighter mask he was a top man.

Richard Shaw - had alot of time for this record dealer.

Pied Piper production team - nuff said

Gilly - The man that has forgotten what most people know

Steve Whittle - In his day he controlled dance floors

Pete Lawson - funny as fook, sharp as a razer, cross him at your peril

All the women i have loved and lost........its their loss

My Mrs.......who also has great tits.

[Dean]

My shout would probably be Rob Smith, unasuming always been around since my first ventures, doesn't shout about it, does it.

Oh and dazdakins Mrs even though I've never met her.

[Little-stevie]

Roger Banks... Was showing me the way with 60s newies in the 80s... Times when you did follow a dj around from venue to venue..

Howard Earnshaw ( Soul Up North Editor ).. Gave me my first little dj spot in very early 80s.... Plus he took us under his wing as we were little pups...

Pip.... Gave me something one night that kept me going past 4am.... The rest is history...

Ady Croasdell.. 30 years of my kind of soul at the 100 club.....

Mike Hughes... His time and dedication in bringing us this soul forum.. Its brought me in touch with people who will be friends for life... And a few that will never get on my xmas card list

John Malone.... Gave me the introduction to Northern Soul and my first all niter at Queens Hall Bradford...

Not sure what dj.. But the one who played Tempests " Someday " at one of my very first all niters at Queens Hall, that tune took me on the path towards my Northern Soul future... The tune still stands the test of time for me....

Jo Wallace/ Jumpin Joan.. For proving that you don't need balls to be up there on the big stage...

Parr Hall Warrington.... For maybe the best moments in my northern soul life...

last but never least.. The most important thing.. All the people i have met along the way.. The community of special needs that can't be put into words..

[Guest in town Mikey]

Ady C

Randy Cozens

Dave Thorley

All the top three IMO helped to change the face of Northern Soul as we knew it, and formed the embryo for so much of what we now consider to be Northern Soul. Included in that the DJs they championed at the 100 and TOTW.

Hippo - Never met a nicer guy on or off the scene.

Sean Adams. Always a great night with Sean.

Matt Jahans. Must have had my hand broken or shoulder dislocated a 100 times in the shortish time I knew him. Along with the great set of DJs the Dome was helped by Matt's incredible ability to always appear just on the edge of explosion. Greg, Dave, Alan and Carl. It would be unfair to name just one, but Greg does also have a great taste in punk :-)

Jo Wallace. Same as Hippo. Just 100% geezer. Love Jo to bits.

Trickster. Can you tell I like the guys with passion.

Ion. Passion, knowledge and not one to follow others to be trendy.

Conway Jones/Caroline Humphries - The guys who played me the Capitol Soul Casino LP, and started my love affair with Northern Soul.

Sad to have to stop at 10. Like Russ I could go on and on and on. eg Most of the guys I met in London. The london scene around the Millenium was incredible.

Edited November 9, 2010 by in town Mikey

[Little-stevie]

Ady C

Randy Cozens

Dave Thorley

All the top three IMO helped to change the face of Northern Soul as we knew it, and formed the embryo for so much of what we now consider to be Northern Soul. Included in that the DJs they championed at the 100 and TOTW.

Hippo - Never met a nicer guy on or off the scene.

Sean Adams. Always a great night with Sean.

Matt Jahans. Must have had my hand broken or shoulder dislocated a 100 times in the shortish time I knew him. Along with the great set of DJs the Dome was helped by Matt's incredible ability to always appear just on the edge of explosion. Greg, Dave, Alan and Carl. It would be unfair to name just one, but Greg does also have a great taste in punk :-)

Jo Wallace. Same as Hippo. Just 100% geezer. Love Jo to bits.

Trickster. Can you tell I like the guys with passion.

Ion. Passion, knowledge and not one to follow others to be trendy.

Conway Jones/Caroline Humphries - The guys who played me the Capitol Soul Casino LP, and started my love affair with Northern Soul.

Sad to have to stop at 10. Like Russ I could go on and on and on. eg Most of the guys I met in London. The london scene around the Millenium was incredible.

Great post Mike... Yes the Mighty Ion... A character indeed... ... Jo... 100% geeeeezer, i like that, a lot.... Met Sean at Brighton this year, great to see him again, brought back many memories.. Hope to see him again sometime soon and have a real catch up..

[Geeselad]

One of the most memorable characters was Pete Lawson.

glad someone said that

[Geeselad]

John Buck

and gotta be

Dave Carne for me

[Harrythedog]

Where have all the characters gone-in the 70,s and eighties it seemed we were spoilt for choice. Here is my personal list of people who used to make your night if you bumped into them at a nighter.

Craig Dethick - Rotherham

Mark Ellis - Rotherham

Yammi (Andrew Edwards) - Rotherham

Mally (Carl Mallinson) - Rotherham

Chris Porter- Rotherham

John Phillips-Doncaster

Neil Toplis - Doncaster

Rob Taylor - Doncaster

Gary Hepworth - Where ever he could get

Sean Pawsey - Rochdale

Col Taylor - Rochdale

Forget the DJ,s and the promoters, these are the people who for me made the journey so memorable.

[Reg]

Malcolm talcum from Stockport...still wearing a vest and flares on a dancefloor near you...brilliant!

[Little-stevie]

Malcolm talcum from Stockport...still wearing a vest and flares on a dancefloor near you...brilliant!

Still see him... Same vest as well

[Philt]

Still see him... Same vest as well

Pale blue and on my list

[Reg]

Pale blue and on my list

Yep, that reminded me but too lazy (well screen too small on work PC...he he) to quote!

[Chalky]

I reckon I define the word "character"differently to most Some of these posts seem like a list of mates and not the "characters" who I thought you were referring to. Plenty had an influence on me but not all what I would describe as a character. Characters to me are people like Pete Lawson, Gaz Kellett, Phil Worrell, Tommo, Woody etc etc.

[Guest]

Where have all the characters gone-in the 70,s and eighties it seemed we were spoilt for choice. Here is my personal list of people who used to make your night if you bumped into them at a nighter.

Craig Dethick - Rotherham

Mark Ellis - Rotherham

Yammi (Andrew Edwards) - Rotherham

Mally (Carl Mallinson) - Rotherham

Chris Porter- Rotherham

John Phillips-Doncaster

Neil Toplis - Doncaster

Rob Taylor - Doncaster

Gary Hepworth - Where ever he could get

Sean Pawsey - Rochdale

Col Taylor - Rochdale

Forget the DJ,s and the promoters, these are the people who for me made the journey so memorable.

Neil Topliss is still doing the rounds at the more modern / rare nights on the scene , and occasionally DJs at them .

I have not seen Craig Dethic for many a moon , but had the occasion to cross paths with his twin Bob Pilnick a couple of years ago .

If we are talking " scene characters " , look no further than the late , and sadly missed Stan Spencer from South Elmsall , West Yorkshire : a name which will be well known to many of the old hands on SS .

Stan had a reputation for being a naughty chap through countless escapades , and was given the nickname of " Stan the Hatchet Man " as a result of one of them .......

Malc

Edited November 9, 2010 by Malc Burton

[Harry Crosby]

If we are talking characters from the scene, sadly my top three have all passed away now

BUB--------------[i still sometimes sit and chuckle to myself, thinking back to those days in the PICKWICK & SALISBURY, SCARBOROUGH.

PETE LAWSON..............MENTIONED BY MANY ON HERE

William [bILLY WHIZ] Jollands.................Sadly missed character from the york crowd

TERRY LAMBERT..........................Another great character who spent his last days in YORK [r.i.p]

COCKNEY STEVE...................................Get us a pint mate

PSYCHO............................Don`t know his real name, was a mate of the aboves, strange character that one

PAUL DANES.............................Think he was from Sheffield, now he was a Character

DAVE BLOCKLEY [YORK]................................Just one hell of a CRAZY GUY

RICHARD DOLBEN........................Scarborough, Crazy guy

JOHN JEFFRIES.....................................The time he thumbed a lift back to york, from scarborough because he`d lost his money, we were there for the weekend, he came back later after going all the way home to get more money, then when we got back to the B&B he took his shoes n socks off and his money was under his foot His exact words were............................HEAVY SHIT

As for people who have been influencial to me, they know who they are as i thank them at every occasion

[Guest Byrney]

I reckon I define the word "character"differently to most Some of these posts seem like a list of mates and not the "characters" who I thought you were referring to. Plenty had an influence on me but not all what I would describe as a character. Characters to me are people like Pete Lawson, Gaz Kellett, Phil Worrell, Tommo, Woody etc etc.

You define it the same as me Chalky - to prove it I'll add Ozzie to that list. Nighters never seem the same with him RIP

[Chalky]

Neil Topliss is still doing the rounds at the more modern / rare nights on the scene , and occasionally DJs at them .

I have not seen Craig Dethic for many a moon , but had the occasion to cross paths with his twin Bob Pilnick a couple of years ago .

If we are talking " scene characters " , look no further than the late , and sadly missed Stan Spencer from South Elmsall , West Yorkshire : a name which will be well known to many of the old hands on SS .

Stan had a reputation for being a naughty chap through countless escapades , and was given the nickname of " Stan the Hatchet Man " as a result of one of them .......

Malc

What you say about Stan is how I would describe a "character" naughty but often in a funny/good sort of way.

I haven't seen Craig since Tracky Club days I don't think. As you say Neil is still out and about, was at Lifeline t'other week.

[Chalky]

You define it the same as me Chalky - to prove it I'll add Ozzie to that list. Nighters never seem the same with him RIP

Yep deffo add Ozzie to the list, was just a quick reply from me earlier in the day in-between work things. Nighters don't seem the same without any of those I mentioned

[Chalky]

Bub was one of the greatest characters, always had a smile on his face regardless how he felt inside. Always had a joke and a funny story. He was funnier than most comedians, certainly today's lot. Tuesday nights at tracky were great nights with Bub holding court having us all in stitches for the whole night. R.I.P.

[Harry Crosby]

Bub was one of the greatest characters, always had a smile on his face regardless how he felt inside. Always had a joke and a funny story. He was funnier than most comedians, certainly today's lot. Tuesday nights at tracky were great nights with Bub holding court having us all in stitches for the whole night. R.I.P.

Too true chalky, just listening to him today brought back so many memories, SADLY MISSED

[Guest]

I've not been on this scene long but those that stand out the most for me, and make my weekends great are:

Lindsay - first girl I met when finishing my marriage... and we've been best friends ever since.

Jo Wallace just being Jo.

Dave Flynne for the Dome and my onward journey to the love of rare soul.

Mandy & Wendy for being super funny girls that brighten every night where we're in the same room.

Ady Croasdell for my first ever allnighter and weekender and all round top bloke - poignant stuff for me!

The Southern Soul Movement for 'bringing me on' and leading the way musically down South.

The man at the 100 a couple of months ago where we enjoyed our own double-act (comedy wise)

The Scots man for my best ever insult in the whole world - (Lindsay "he's trying to chat you up" him "no, I'm not a vet"

The Stables for hosting the bestest allnighter EVER

And lastly, Dave Rimmer for being a super duper bloke who's never judged me (I think).

Of course, there are hundreds more that are very special to me indeed so I'm sorry I've not given mention but it was a list of 10

[Guest 2648 W Grand Boulevard]

Where do I start, well here goes !!

Dave from Reading who worked on the railway with me in 1977, he was spotted on Reading station one Saturday afternoon carrying a small Adidas bag when asked where he was off to he mentioned this club in Wigan that does All-nighters playing Soul music. Having had a passing interest in Soul music since moving from the West Highlands of Scotland and listening to PY's Soul Cellar on Capital Radio I was intrigued. So much so that the following Saturday I was on the train as well and thats where it all started

The Banbury crowd for making the Sunday train journeys to/from the Locarno All-Dayers worthwhile and also sharing the interesting experiences of the Redditch All-Nighters & Hinckley All-Dayers (Just for a change !!)

The South Yorkshire Soul crowd for helping me out following my return to the fold after a long period of abstinence (Career, 1st marriage, etc, etc !!)

The organisers of the Bridlington weekender and the great & the good who run Drax, Brighouse, Soulfusion, Banbury and all the other venues I attend & have attended in order to feed my need and increase my knowledge

Last & by no means least Bob from Hemsworth who's has been a stalwart travelling companion to venues all over Yorkshire since 1997 and who also lets me drive his quality motors

Sue & Julie from Hemsworth for being there in the good times and also the bad times, thank you ladies it has been and will continue to be a lot of fun!!

Rob from Worksop, who has more connections than Birmingham New St !!

Chris from Letchworth who brings the "Southern" aspect to our trips around God's own county

The Kernow Soul Club for good times in the Hayle Bowling Club and the Griffin bar in Newquay during my sojourn in Cornwall. Mind you I still made the trek from Cornwall to Yorkshire every so often for a Drax or Brighouse evening

The Swindon & Gloucester crowd for introducing me to a whole swathe of different sounds over the last year & a half

I apoligise unreservedly to the other dancers I have accidentally bumped into over the years, but then again no doubt some old acquaintences at Banbury last Saturday thought the silly b****r couldnt dance 32 years ago and he hasnt got any better either

Couldnt have imagined life with Soul so long may it continue

Dave

[Guest]

If we are talking characters from the scene, sadly my top three have all passed away now

BUB--------------[i still sometimes sit and chuckle to myself, thinking back to those days in the PICKWICK & SALISBURY, SCARBOROUGH.

PETE LAWSON..............MENTIONED BY MANY ON HERE

William [bILLY WHIZ] Jollands.................Sadly missed character from the york crowd

TERRY LAMBERT..........................Another great character who spent his last days in YORK [r.i.p]

COCKNEY STEVE...................................Get us a pint mate

PSYCHO............................Don`t know his real name, was a mate of the aboves, strange character that one

PAUL DANES.............................Think he was from Sheffield, now he was a Character

DAVE BLOCKLEY [YORK]................................Just one hell of a CRAZY GUY

RICHARD DOLBEN........................Scarborough, Crazy guy

JOHN JEFFRIES.....................................The time he thumbed a lift back to york, from scarborough because he`d lost his money, we were there for the weekend, he came back later after going all the way home to get more money, then when we got back to the B&B he took his shoes n socks off and his money was under his foot His exact words were............................HEAVY SHIT

As for people who have been influencial to me, they know who they are as i thank them at every occasion

As characters go , JJ was definately one of them

Malc

[Guest]

What you say about Stan is how I would describe a "character" naughty but often in a funny/good sort of way.

I haven't seen Craig since Tracky Club days I don't think. As you say Neil is still out and about, was at Lifeline t'other week.

Just as a footnote in respect of Stan Spencer .

Towards his attachment to this life , one of his escapades was to borrow a transit van . When he opened the back of the transit , it contained boxes of ladies tights and stockings .

I happened to see him the same night - unbeknowing he had liberated the van - and he said to me " your lass will wear tights won't she ? Would she like some ? " . I said yes she did , to which he replied that he would call round with some .

He was true to his word . He called and left her four boxes

Malc

[Guest North End Soul]

Kinell, only Gaz. Tell him I miss him (but not on Sunday mornings).

I shall, gonna be nipping round shortly.

[Ion T]

Where do I start, well here goes !!

Dave from Reading who worked on the railway with me in 1977, he was spotted on Reading station one Saturday afternoon carrying a small Adidas bag when asked where he was off to he mentioned this club in Wigan that does All-nighters playing Soul music. Having had a passing interest in Soul music since moving from the West Highlands of Scotland and listening to PY's Soul Cellar on Capital Radio I was intrigued. So much so that the following Saturday I was on the train as well and thats where it all started

The Banbury crowd for making the Sunday train journeys to/from the Locarno All-Dayers worthwhile and also sharing the interesting experiences of the Redditch All-Nighters & Hinckley All-Dayers (Just for a change !!)

The South Yorkshire Soul crowd for helping me out following my return to the fold after a long period of abstinence (Career, 1st marriage, etc, etc !!)

The organisers of the Bridlington weekender and the great & the good who run Drax, Brighouse, Soulfusion, Banbury and all the other venues I attend & have attended in order to feed my need and increase my knowledge

Last & by no means least Bob from Hemsworth who's has been a stalwart travelling companion to venues all over Yorkshire since 1997 and who also lets me drive his quality motors

Sue & Julie from Hemsworth for being there in the good times and also the bad times, thank you ladies it has been and will continue to be a lot of fun!!

Rob from Worksop, who has more connections than Birmingham New St !!

Chris from Letchworth who brings the "Southern" aspect to our trips around God's own county

The Kernow Soul Club for good times in the Hayle Bowling Club and the Griffin bar in Newquay during my sojourn in Cornwall. Mind you I still made the trek from Cornwall to Yorkshire every so often for a Drax or Brighouse evening

The Swindon & Gloucester crowd for introducing me to a whole swathe of different sounds over the last year & a half

I apoligise unreservedly to the other dancers I have accidentally bumped into over the years, but then again no doubt some old acquaintences at Banbury last Saturday thought the silly b****r couldnt dance 32 years ago and he hasnt got any better either

Couldnt have imagined life with Soul so long may it continue

Dave

Hi,

Was the Dave you referred to, Dave Barker? I remember Dave Barker from Reading who worked on the railways and was still around in the early 80s. Last time I saw him was 82ish and I was trying to reassure a rather concerned venue manager at the King George 4th pub on Brixton Hill that our soul crowd were OK. Dave also got in on the act and promptly collapsed in front of him - last night we had if I remember correctly!

All best

Ion