Your Top 10 Northern Soul 'characters'

November 12, 2010

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

Yep, that was him. Wonder where he is now ??

Dave

November 12, 2010

jnr walker and the all stars hip city pt1 ain,t nothin but a house party the show stoppers i got a feelin by barbara randolf nothin but blue skys by jackie wilson there,s a ghost in my house by r. dean taylor sign on the dotted line by gene latter tell me it,s just a rumour isley bros i just want to know can you jerk like me the contours cool jerk the 3 cats also known as the 3 cats boy from new york by the ad libbs black mother goose patrise hollaway sorry if i spelt it wrong!!!!!!this ones for tony jebb don,t be sore at me thats from phil ha ha xxx sanremo strings festivel time yeahh xx the kittens ain,t no more room for keith minchellxx i get the sweetest feelin jackie wilson xx last but not least long after tonite is all over byj immy radcliff the tune we played at phil,s funeral by request good nite god bless to my brother xxxxxxxxxxx

November 13, 2010

soz i thought it was top 10 tunes sorry my top character was phil morgan at the torch ,blackpool mecca and catacoombs the twisted wheel xx :wave:

November 13, 2010

soz i thought it was top 10 tunes sorry my top character was phil morgan at the torch ,blackpool mecca and catacoombs the twisted wheel xx

Definately Jules.........................

Right here we go

Clarkie (RIP)

John Sneddon(Zan)

Frank Booper

Alan Day

Martyn Ellis

Larry Lightning

Coddy Hughes

Brian Phillips

Gordon Thompson

Dave Evison

There are many,many more good people that I have met over the years including my wifes unnoficial minder............the person that sneaked in and tried to chat her up doesn't know how close he was to pain....................and I quote..........."if any body messes with Carole I will rip their head off spit in the hole and ask your permission afterwards.......if thats ok?"..................true

shelly · November 13, 2010

Definately Jules.........................

Right here we go

Clarkie (RIP)
John Sneddon(Zan)
Frank Booper
Alan Day
Martyn Ellis
Larry Lightning
Coddy Hughes
Brian Phillips
Gordon Thompson
Dave Evison

There are many,many more good people that I have met over the years including my wifes unnoficial minder............the person that sneaked in and tried to chat her up doesn't know how close he was to pain....................and I quote..........."if any body messes with Carole I will rip their head off spit in the hole and ask your permission afterwards.......if thats ok?"..................true

Coddy Hughes shot dead in Ipswhcih abot 10 years ago, add Desi from Preston and Robbo from Wolverhampton who are in the same vein.
Add Matchy, Mousey, Swish, Alf and Sam fromYorkshire
Charley and gang from Ashbourne
Bob Tulley etc from Widnes
Could go on for days, but enough for now

November 13, 2010

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.

Rob Taylor Doncaster had some great times with him at wigan shared a flat with him for a while still remember that tye dye top.

Would love to see him again. Thanks for mentioning him brought back some good memories for me,

November 14, 2010

oh my god steve thats a bit harsh who was that ? xx

November 14, 2010

oh my god steve thats a bit harsh who was that ? xx

Not for an open forum Jules,will tell you the full tale when I see you again.

Shelley.........Matchy..........still out and about

Swish ............DJ'd at the Torch Re-union a couple of weeks ago.

Alf(Alf Hockaday?)................Living in Newquay,comes up to the Wheel nighters a couple of times a year

Rob Tulley...........Not seen Rob for several years,.................I was with him the night he got his face cut in Manchester watching Jackie Wilson,a pisshead took exception to his accent and bottled him,I took him to hospital,...................not nice.

Coddy was killed by a pub landlord with a shotgun

Steve.

Tv175 · November 14, 2010

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.

Tv175 · November 14, 2010

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.

chris porter goes to the grange in rotherham ,craig was a big friend of my brother [dave littlewood] craig sells cars for a living ,mark ellis lives at wickersley last time i spoke to him he said he wa going to make one to see all the lads at the grange but no show yet but im sure he will,yammy been a couple a times but he lives down south i think i used to work with neil toplis top lad

dthedrug · November 16, 2010

:lol: HI ALL IN NO ORDER JUST RANDOM: #1 GOES TO :- KAY FROM THE ROYAL COLLAGE OF BALLET JOINTLY SWITH CHRISSIE GREY FROM PRESTON BOTH WERE TOP DANCERS NEVER RIVALED BY OTHERS AS THEY HAD THE PLUS FACTOR, BUT MARLINE JONES FROM STOKE HAD A GREAT HIGH KICK, AND IF YOU GOT IN HER WAY YOU FELT IT, ANN MURPHY/CHASE bedford completly DIFFERENT WITH A WE BIT OF IRISH IN THERE, AND GEORGINA FROM CAMBRIDGE HAD GOOD SKILLS ALSO, AND ALL GIRLS WITH THERE HAIR IN BUTCHERS? LUVLEY JUBLY.

#7 FORGET HIS NAME BUT I THINK HE WAS A TRAINED DANCER OF TAP, HE CERTAINLY USED IT EFFECTIVELY WHEN DANCING.

#6 PETE WIDERSON GREAT DEALER COLLECTORS WHO KEPT ME COMPANY AT WIGAN IN THE BAR AND HELPED ESTABLISH THE RECORD DEALER STALLS IN THEIR ALONG WITH ADY MICK AND WHOEVER POPPED ALONG

KEITH MINSHAL THE ORIGINAL WEEBLE, GREAT COLLECTOR WHO IS A STALWART OF THE SOUL SCENE, ALL STOKE SOUL FAMILY INCLUDING THE COLORED MAN TIM ASHERBENDY I HAVE ALWAYS LOOKED UP TO HIM? BUTCH AND HIS SHIT BOX, ALL WOLVES LADS PAST AND PRESENT PHIL & MAX RIP PADDY & AGGY DO, HARPO DAVE SHAW SWOZ AND SO MANY BUT IT,S PEP WHO LIKE MINSHAL WERE GIFTED DJ,S AND I MUST INCLUDE THE HARD MEN FRANKIE BAGGOT & SMOKEY(WHO SAVED MY LIFE) AND AS THIS LIST WOULD COULD AND SHOULD LAST ALL NIGHT,

TO DAY I WOULD SAY THE PERSON WHO I WOULD PUT AS THE REAL #1 IAN GUY TAFFY, A BRILLIANT BLOKE AND ALWAYS RESPECTFUL, GREW UP ON RARE SOUL AND HE'S MY BOY, TONY WORROT FRANCO HAMMY SOUL SAM! AND THE BEAT GOES ON ALL THE TORCH 9 & 10 CROWD XXX

DAVE K is always #1 in heart.

dthedrug · November 16, 2010

Smokey saved your life?? Please tell me more

:unsure: SMOKEY HAS ALL THE ATTRIBUTES GOING FOR HIM. IN THE MID TO LATE 6TS HE WOULD MOST CERTAINLY WOULD OF BEEN IN TOUGH CREW, SIMILAR TO STEPHNEY MILE END OR BETHNAL GREEN, YOUR EYES NEVER MET WHEN THESE GANGS WERE ABOUT, BUT I THINK HE WOULD HAVE BEEN INVITED INTO THE FIRM (UNDERWORLD) AS HE CAN APPLY HIS MIND WITH GOOD KNOWLEDGE AND WILL ALWAYS MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION TO BENEFIT OTHERS, IN A SITUATION YOU DON'T HAVE TO LOOK ABOUT TO SEE WHO IS THERE, HE IS TOTALLY RELIABLE MAN, AND CROSS HIM AT YOUR PERIL, HE IS A LAUGH, AND WOULD NEVER GRASS, HE LIKE A KNUCKLE ALONG WITH THE EXCITEMENT THAT STREET FIGHTING BRINGS, IF I AM IN A PUB AND A GLASS SMASHES I AM LIKE A MAGNET TO SEE WHO GOT THE BIG WHOOSH! OTHER PEOP[LE WOULD LEG IT, IN THE :wave: 8TS I WAS USING SO MUCH I WOULD GO FOR 10 DAYS AT A TIME LEAPING, SO IN 1 MONTH IT CONSISTED OF 3 DTHEDRUG DAYS, ALONG WITH PSYCHOSIS AN SLEE DEPRIVATION IT WAS TOTAL MADNESS. IN FACT I WAS MAD, THE ONLY PERSON I KNOW WHO WOULD BE ABLE TO HELP ME WAS STAVE, I RUNG HIM 1 NIGHT HE WAS IN WARRINGTON, I SAID TO HIM THAT IF YOU DON'T COME AND KNOCK ME OUT (FISTS) I WOULD KILL SOMEONE, HE CAME DOWN STRAIGHT AWAY, AND IN PRISONED ME WITH JULIAN ALSO BEING A GUARD, UNTIL I GOT BETTER, THE MAN IS A DIAMOND FOR DOING THAT, AT THE TIME NOBODY WOULD OF VONE THAT, HE IS PROPER NORTHERN SOUL MAN FROM WOLVES, IF THERE IS ANYONE OUT THERE AND DON'T NO HIM GO OVER AND HAVE A TALCUM HIS HANDS ARE HUGE, THE MAN SAVED MY LIFE :lol: DAVE KIL

November 17, 2010

Coddy Hughes was slot dead by the Landlord of a Public House in Colchester on the way back from a IPSWICH TOWN vs STOKE CITY football match which i would put at least 25 years years ago. Coddy always looked out for us young STOKE lads in the early Casino years, but as we all get older timegoes by so quickly, CODDY naughty but nice and a STOKE legend.

November 17, 2010

Is this Smokey who was from Wolverhampton originally and then moved to St.Helens or Haydock.....but around that area

the smokey from wolves that i knew was very obliging but fookin hard and an accent and a half e.g. wer yoh goin tunite? translated =which dance hall will you be frequenting tonight ?

Edited November 17, 2010 by roggert

Spanner · November 17, 2010

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.

13. Spanner from melton a top bloke

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

dthedrug · November 17, 2010

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

:yes: HI ALL ..PETE how did i forget them to, for those of you that don't know Roy & Roger they are not just collectors they just no the lot and i mean the history. writers producers labels every thing, they are also very kind people, to start with Roger who i relay got to no only a few years back, through john and Malcolm's shop in Wilinhall at the regular Saturday morning meet, which was the nearest that we have got to a real soul collectors club ever, as any one who went will testify, Roger had a Passion around more modern soul and deep soul. he was foreword thinking and a bit like KEB way ahead of the game most of his huge collection did not cost more than a £1 each , i remember he was talking one day about the JAY BOY SIMG: by ERNIE & ED the passion of the discussion, led me to give him a copy the following week he said that he could not afford it, i said it,s a present i don't want money, he was bowled over and remembered that the biving was just as soulful as the record, Pete I did this with you sort off once, great bloke.

Roy the man who does not do all nighters and never attends events, has the most extensive UK soul Collection in the UK apart from Mick Smiths again if you come to wolves record fair he is always there and along with Pete Mick and other UK soul collectors including myself, at that moment of time you have a group of people who know every thing there is to know about the UK collecting scene, it's a must meet venue your input is always welcome and you can speak to Roy.

You are so right PETE how did I leave them out DAVE

Gilly · November 18, 2010

Coddy Hughes was slot dead by the Landlord of a Public House in Colchester on the way back from a IPSWICH TOWN vs STOKE CITY football match which i would put at least 25 years years ago. Coddy always looked out for us young STOKE lads in the early Casino years, but as we all get older timegoes by so quickly, CODDY naughty but nice and a STOKE legend.

Yes Coddy was a bit of a lad,when he lived in Burton on Trent i used to see him at the famed 76 club,just looking at him could make you freek out but he was a darling towards me mainly i think the girl i was dating at the time was sister to one of Coddys old friends who got killed on the way home from the Torch (rip).Knew his brother well too,Mickey Moonshine,(lived in London last i saw.I also knew the mother and felt very proud to of been asked to dj at one of her birthdays in some club in Chesterton SOT.

Mak · November 18, 2010

Coddy Hughes was slot dead by the Landlord of a Public House in Colchester on the way back from a IPSWICH TOWN vs STOKE CITY football match which i would put at least 25 years years ago. Coddy always looked out for us young STOKE lads in the early Casino years, but as we all get older timegoes by so quickly, CODDY naughty but nice and a STOKE legend.

Ws the landlord a Stokie who moved away because of Coddy. I heard Coddy and his mates just stumbled onto the boozer in Colchester and the landlord flipped when he saw Coddy walk through the door RIP

Mak · November 18, 2010

You was a bit of a character yourself there Shelley ...................or so all the best looking birds reckon :thumbsup:

November 27, 2010

WOW

I just found this thread.

just glancing through sure brings back some emotional memories.

I've spent hours on my favourite poker forum and a long time replying to people on this forum as well.

I want to join in this thread as well.

Can't right now, real tired (and a bit worse for wear).

YES ALLRIGHT I'M COMING DOWN COPPER! SO!

WHAT THE FUC* YOU GONNA DO ABOUT IT?

IF YOU THINK YOU ARE GOING TO GET A SAMPLE OFF ME, YOU'D BETTER THINK AGAIN!

Crikey we lived a life no one but us will ever, ever understand.

it was the business, the best,

Newcomers, even in their forties, well they just don't know do they?

Well f**** it they can ask Chubby Checker. He might know. :g: :D :thumbsup:

November 28, 2010

Yes Coddy was a bit of a lad,when he lived in Burton on Trent i used to see him at the famed 76 club,just looking at him could make you freek out but he was a darling towards me mainly i think the girl i was dating at the time was sister to one of Coddys old friends who got killed on the way home from the Torch (rip).Knew his brother well too,Mickey Moonshine,(lived in London last i saw.I also knew the mother and felt very proud to of been asked to dj at one of her birthdays in some club in Chesterton SOT.

Gilly, just wondering if you also knew Mickey Moonshine's mate - Racker - who he used to frequent the Casino with and was also a Chesterton lad. 99% sure that this is him dancing in Mr M's at the Casino. Mick spent most of his time in Mr M's.

November 28, 2010

Ws the landlord a Stokie who moved away because of Coddy. I heard Coddy and his mates just stumbled onto the boozer in Colchester and the landlord flipped when he saw Coddy walk through the door RIP
Not quite sure about that, heard meself that they called at Colchester as Coddy had spent time there when he was in the army, like i said i'm not quite sure , maybe some of the elder Stoke lads can enlighten us to wether Coddy served in the army.One think i do know his that he wanted to have his ashes scattered on the Old VICTORIA GROUND but this request was turned down.

Gilly · November 28, 2010

Gilly, just wondering if you also knew Mickey Moonshine's mate - Racker - who he used to frequent the Casino with and was also a Chesterton lad. 99% sure that this is him dancing in Mr M's at the Casino. Mick spent most of his time in Mr M's.

I seem to remember meeting him a very long time ago but cant be100% sure

MIK P · November 28, 2010

hi ya i was one of the ashbourne crowd me[ MICK MOJO PAYNE] charley roy ect. i.m still out & about.

Edited November 28, 2010 by MIK P

November 28, 2010

I seem to remember meeting him a very long time ago but cant be100% sure

30 odd years ago mate, we're getting old.

Jimmy Welsh · November 29, 2010

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

Malc,

'A real Character'; Stan from South Emsall, a person who could have been definitely defined / described as a character, quote; 'all the qualities and features that make a person, people, and places different from others', a lot of people into the all-nighter scene in the late 60ts early 70ts, in particular the Yorkshire area would have known / interacted with Stan at sometime or another, good or bad, although always okay with me, if Mick Mullins and Peter 'ginger' Balance RIP were posting on hear I feel sure they would be able to enlighten the readers with a few tales of the unexpected. Again a real character, just one among many, in times when you made it on your wit and sometimes lived on the edge.

Best regards Jimmy Welsh.

Citizen P · November 29, 2010

Definately Jules.........................

Right here we go

Clarkie (RIP)
John Sneddon(Zan)
Frank Booper
Alan Day
Martyn Ellis
Larry Lightning
Coddy Hughes
Brian Phillips
Gordon Thompson
Dave Evison

There are many,many more good people that I have met over the years including my wifes unnoficial minder............the person that sneaked in and tried to chat her up doesn't know how close he was to pain....................and I quote..........."if any body messes with Carole I will rip their head off spit in the hole and ask your permission afterwards.......if thats ok?"..................true

Blimey Steve, that is a list of interesting characters...

depending on the cicumstances, half of em could make your night

or,

f*ck you right up :wub:

and you know which half :lol:

Tony

November 29, 2010

Malc,

'A real Character'; Stan from South Emsall, a person who could have been definitely defined / described as a character, quote; 'all the qualities and features that make a person, people, and places different from others', a lot of people into the all-nighter scene in the late 60ts early 70ts, in particular the Yorkshire area would have known / interacted with Stan at sometime or another, good or bad, although always okay with me, if Mick Mullins and Peter 'ginger' Balance RIP were posting on hear I feel sure they would be able to enlighten the readers with a few tales of the unexpected. Again a real character, just one among many, in times when you made it on your wit and sometimes lived on the edge.

Best regards Jimmy Welsh.

" Interacted with Stan " ....... that is one way of putting it :thumbsup:

When did Pete Ballance pass away Jimmy ?

Malc

The Animal · December 1, 2010

Looking out at the snow brought back many memories of snowy journeys made to soul events over the years.

This got me thinking of characters on the scene who I have fond memories of.

1. Arthur Fenn. Biggest influence on me with regards to soul music and a great friend. I was both lucky and privileged to have known Arthur from a young age and have access to a lot of great music before it was even broken on the scene. His dedication to collecting quality soul music over many years takes some beating. He also got me my first US original "Colalined Baby" by Dave Love for £5. Think my mum liked the instrumental more than me!!!

2. Soul Sam. As with Arthur I was lucky to hear a lot of big sounds of Sam's before they were broken on the scene. His infectious enthusiasm knows no bounds.

3. Ady Dundas. Taught me a lot about the heavier/darker side of the scene when I was still wet behind the ears. Rescued me from some seriously dodgy situations.

4. Dave Greet. Looked after me and my mate Kev Schofield on our first few nighter experiences to St Ives and Wigan when we were only 15/16.

5. Paul Rowan. Fantastic memories of Raquels in Wakefield. Also many journeys and coach trips with characters like Bub and the McField? brothers especially to Cleethorpes dayers. Paul was also prepared to play some of the more funkier sounds at that time.

6. Steve "Burt Shaft" Haywood. A close friend both on and off the scene. Probably have more memories of things we got up to off the scene than on it. Unfortunately we fell out after I had left the scene. That's life I guess.

7. Derwyn Edwards. Again a good friend both on and off the scene. Fond memories of when he lived at my Mum's house in the late 70's.

8. Walt Rowlands. Another good friend on and off the scene. Built us a nice conservatory as well.

9. Kev "Jonno" Johnson. Both some funny and strange times had with Jonno over my last few years on the scene.

10. Pete Burke. Just a really nice person who I am sure nobody can have a bad word to say about. Also Shaun Kearney who I always considered to be more similar in character to myself than anyone else I've ever met.

There are obviously many, many more characters I could mention but I have tried to choose the ten who had big influences on me over the years I was on the scene.

December 4, 2010

1. Men whose company and friendship was second to none.............................................I can't name em all cos its impossible

2. Girls whose company i adored...................................................SIGH!

3. Men whose company was outstanding to be with, but their friendship was not necessarily as genuine or non-genuine as it may first appear, well I aren't naming them right now either. I don't care what anyone says, sometimes it was great to be with these people.

HEY, SHIT, I WONDER HOW MANY PEOPLE WOULD PUT ME IN LIST ONE AND HOW MANY WOULD PUT ME IN LIST 3?

I want to write far more and am doing, in my book, but, Jesus Christ its so very emotional. I can't get it into my head that all this was all those years ago. It seems impossible. I love playing poker in pubs clubs and casinos as a some of you know, and its opened up a whole new set of friends for me, of all ages and all Walks of life, and I really like it. BUT when I start talking about the way we all were, well there's no fucking comparison, is there?

I'LL SAY THIS RIGHT NOW. YOU GUYS WHO CREATED THIS WEB-SITE AND THIS GREAT FORUM HAVE created something powerfully and emotionally awesome.

You do right to let us talk about the drugs and the stuff we got up to. Who's gonna do us now anyway? All the squad will be long dead.

This forum and all of its contributors bring back, or stir up memories and friendships, and, companionship, and trust and loyalty, and risks, and danger, and bastards, and squad and rollers that although it sits in the back of our minds, its only this that can really re-kindle it.

Overall, for the most part, I walked and danced and talked with men and women of honour, who had courage and soul lacking in ordinary people. On occasion I have made and sent tapes of dynamite Northern over the years to some lovely people who were never part of our scene whatsoever, both men and women.

I might as well have sent the tapes to Eskimos in Alaska or Indians in the Amazon jungle. Only people born with soul within them can ever feel it or ever know. and it is for the best, that its that way. That tells us things as well, because if your pals or current partner feels nothing from, DEAR BELOVED or DARRELL BANKS'S RECORDS OR, JACKIE WILSON'S or TIME WILL PASS YOU BY or even that more recent discovery GLORIA SHANNON, TEARS ARE GIFTS FROM HEAVEN, well what do they feel then? Errr not much. (Hey I am well aware there are thousands more, obviously, THEY ARE JUST WHAT CAME IN TO MY HEAD ok?)

Of course they have never been lucky enough to share the brilliance of these records with a thousand other people, or even with 5 people or just each other coming down in some freezing flat after a nighter., but neither did we to start with. Well that's their tough shit then. They'll never ever know what they missed cos they don't like soul. BUT WE'LL ALWAYS KNOW!

Ok I shall say 2 people from list 1. just for now , Eric from Selby, Best man at my wedding, but I never see him now. and Smig from Leicester.,, Usher at my wedding, still my great mate, we speak a few times a week on the phone, there are many more.

LIST 2 I shall say the 2 girls I adored the most. Samantha from Sheffield who crippled her legs in a car accident and used to sit on my knee in Wigan, she was so fucking lovely.. Skip's sister Stephanie, from Norwich, she was a model and breathtakingly gorgeous. She blew me out cos I went down to Norwich one time after the nighter, and she just could not believe that I would go all that way just to see her. Well yes i did go to see her, but I loved the Norwich guys anyway, it wasn't unusual, for me or any of us to go wherever the fuck we felt like after a nighter.

And from list 3, PETE TILDSLEY, BRIAN LEAR AND DODGER. These guys brought a place alive. Again there are loads more.

Hope you all like my letter,

Love

Swish

December 4, 2010

P.S That was great reading Swish.....Thanks!!

I'll second that Swish,last time I saw Eric was about 5 years ago,he turned up at our house with Paul Widnall (from Harrogate).I have put feelers out to see if anyone knows where Eric is now,if I get a result I will pm you.Didn't Eric buy you a washing machine as a Wedding present?................................how do I know that?

Steve.

December 5, 2010

I'll second that Swish,last time I saw Eric was about 5 years ago,he turned up at our house with Paul Widnall (from Harrogate).I have put feelers out to see if anyone knows where Eric is now,if I get a result I will pm you.Didn't Eric buy you a washing machine as a Wedding present?................................how do I know that?

Steve.

Firstly, thank you Webbydublin and Steve. Much appreciated.

Yes Steve, please let me know if you see Eric, but Jill Stapleton (Hillel) told me he never answers his phone, so it may not be that easy.

Did he buy us our washing machine?

Do you know I had forgotten!

December 5, 2010

Firstly, thank you Webbydublin and Steve. Much appreciated.
Yes Steve, please let me know if you see Eric, but Jill Stapleton (Hillel) told me he never answers his phone, so it may not be that easy.
Did he buy us our washing machine?
Do you know I had forgotten!

Like Steve , I have put countless feelers out in the hope of getting in contact with Eric , but to no avail Bob .

Someone told me he wishes a quiet life , and if that is his request , so be it .

The last time I saw him was several years ago : we spoke briefly , as ouir meeting was on a train from London , and I was getting ready to get off at Doncaster . He told me he had my telephone number , and would call me ; sadly he did not .

Top man .

Maslc

Edited December 5, 2010 by Malc Burton

December 5, 2010

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

Just a few of my thoughts about Stan.

Firstly I hate to be pedantivc, but as far as I know Stan spent most of his life in Hemsworth, not South Elmsall apart from a couple of years in the 80s when he was married to my cousin, and he did indeed live 'down Elmsall' as we Hemsworth lads would say. Of course he also lived several years in various institutions around the country, at Her Majestys Pleasure., so to speak. As you rightly say Stan had a habit of 'borrowing' things i.e. the contents of DDA boxes being one of his fahvourite things to 'borrow'. He also 'borrowed' a few of my records which meant we were prone to fall out, until such a time that Stan would use his charm (and mebbe a handful of Dex) to win you back round!

That said, I loved the guy, and there is barely a week goes by that he doesnt come to mind for one reason or another. I had some f***ing cracking times with him and he introduced me to a few other 'characters', some also no longer with us,Bub, Rob Ward, Pete Balance etc etc. Great nights at such venues as the Central, Londoner, Clifton Hall, and not forgetting our annual soiree to Scarborough and the all dayer at Rudies. Absolutely mental times! I particularlly remember a weekeend trip to Lincolnshire with him and Rob Ward, in order to 'invest' £300 worth of Stan's pit pension money! It's a miracle any of us survived that weeked or the week of mayhem that followed it!

If it wasn't for Stan. I wouldn't have got into the wonderful world of Northern Soul.the way I did. His tales of the Wheel. Torch, Va Va's mesmerised me - the more I learned about it. I wanted to be a part of it, Behind his rough exterior and laugh a minute persona, Stan was an intelligent man and quite well read (some good stuff in those prison libraries!) Il learned a hell of a lot from him, not all of it good, I might add.

One day after we hadn't spoke for several months (another record 'borrowing' incident) I found out Stan was terminally ill and went to see him immediately. He said he didn't hold a grugde against me (for not fetching my records back - that was Stan to a tee!). We got talking about Northern and I told him I'd just got bacjk into the scene, which pleased him. I promised to take him a tape with some of his favourites on. plus some newies he might like. I never got it to him, as I found out he had passed away a couple days before I had arranged to visit again.

A true character in every sense of the word and very sorely missed. RIP mate and thanks for everything.

The Animal · December 6, 2010

1. Men whose company and friendship was second to none.............................................I can't name em all cos its impossible
2. Girls whose company i adored...................................................SIGH!
3. Men whose company was outstanding to be with, but their friendship was not necessarily as genuine or non-genuine as it may first appear, well I aren't naming them right now either. I don't care what anyone says, sometimes it was great to be with these people.
HEY, SHIT, I WONDER HOW MANY PEOPLE WOULD PUT ME IN LIST ONE AND HOW MANY WOULD PUT ME IN LIST 3?
I want to write far more and am doing, in my book, but, Jesus Christ its so very emotional. I can't get it into my head that all this was all those years ago. It seems impossible. I love playing poker in pubs clubs and casinos as a some of you know, and its opened up a whole new set of friends for me, of all ages and all Walks of life, and I really like it. BUT when I start talking about the way we all were, well there's no fucking comparison, is there?
I'LL SAY THIS RIGHT NOW. YOU GUYS WHO CREATED THIS WEB-SITE AND THIS GREAT FORUM HAVE created something powerfully and emotionally awesome.
You do right to let us talk about the drugs and the stuff we got up to. Who's gonna do us now anyway? All the squad will be long dead.
This forum and all of its contributors bring back, or stir up memories and friendships, and, companionship, and trust and loyalty, and risks, and danger, and bastards, and squad and rollers that although it sits in the back of our minds, its only this that can really re-kindle it.
Overall, for the most part, I walked and danced and talked with men and women of honour, who had courage and soul lacking in ordinary people. On occasion I have made and sent tapes of dynamite Northern over the years to some lovely people who were never part of our scene whatsoever, both men and women.
I might as well have sent the tapes to Eskimos in Alaska or Indians in the Amazon jungle. Only people born with soul within them can ever feel it or ever know. and it is for the best, that its that way. That tells us things as well, because if your pals or current partner feels nothing from, DEAR BELOVED or DARRELL BANKS'S RECORDS OR, JACKIE WILSON'S or TIME WILL PASS YOU BY or even that more recent discovery GLORIA SHANNON, TEARS ARE GIFTS FROM HEAVEN, well what do they feel then? Errr not much. (Hey I am well aware there are thousands more, obviously, THEY ARE JUST WHAT CAME IN TO MY HEAD ok?)
Of course they have never been lucky enough to share the brilliance of these records with a thousand other people, or even with 5 people or just each other coming down in some freezing flat after a nighter., but neither did we to start with. Well that's their tough shit then. They'll never ever know what they missed cos they don't like soul. BUT WE'LL ALWAYS KNOW!
Ok I shall say 2 people from list 1. just for now , Eric from Selby, Best man at my wedding, but I never see him now. and Smig from Leicester.,, Usher at my wedding, still my great mate, we speak a few times a week on the phone, there are many more.
LIST 2 I shall say the 2 girls I adored the most. Samantha from Sheffield who crippled her legs in a car accident and used to sit on my knee in Wigan, she was so fucking lovely.. Skip's sister Stephanie, from Norwich, she was a model and breathtakingly gorgeous. She blew me out cos I went down to Norwich one time after the nighter, and she just could not believe that I would go all that way just to see her. Well yes i did go to see her, but I loved the Norwich guys anyway, it wasn't unusual, for me or any of us to go wherever the fuck we felt like after a nighter.
And from list 3, PETE TILDSLEY, BRIAN LEAR AND DODGER. These guys brought a place alive. Again there are loads more.
Hope you all like my letter,
Love
Swish

The Animal · December 6, 2010

I presume "Eric from Selby" was Eric Smith?

Last time I saw him was at Brighouse Ritz about 1999/2000.

Nearly every soul follower in Selby will agree he was the best dancer ever seen in the Yorkshire area. Maybe the scene!!!

I'm sure he was a great best man Swish, hope he did you proud all those years ago.

Jimmy Welsh · December 6, 2010

" Interacted with Stan " ....... that is one way of putting it

When did Pete Ballance pass away Jimmy ?

Malc

Malc,

Pete Balance, i thought it was about 12 years ago, i have spoke to Mick Mullins and he quotes about 10? shame as he was okay, always got time for people.

Regards Jimmy Welsh

December 9, 2010

I presume "Eric from Selby" was Eric Smith?

Last time I saw him was at Brighouse Ritz about 1999/2000.

Nearly every soul follower in Selby will agree he was the best dancer ever seen in the Yorkshire area. Maybe the scene!!!

I'm sure he was a great best man Swish, hope he did you proud all those years ago.

Yes Eric Smith, but later liked to be called Eric Saynor as that was his mums maiden name (I think)..

We shared many adventures and yes, he was a great best man.

last time I saw him though was not good.

I went to his house 3 or 4 years ago.

He was off his head on e's and playing Rave music full blast.

I didn't like it. In fact I hated it.

December 9, 2010

Just a few of my thoughts about Stan.

Firstly I hate to be pedantivc, but as far as I know Stan spent most of his life in Hemsworth, not South Elmsall apart from a couple of years in the 80s when he was married to my cousin, and he did indeed live 'down Elmsall' as we Hemsworth lads would say. Of course he also lived several years in various institutions around the country, at Her Majestys Pleasure., so to speak. As you rightly say Stan had a habit of 'borrowing' things i.e. the contents of DDA boxes being one of his fahvourite things to 'borrow'. He also 'borrowed' a few of my records which meant we were prone to fall out, until such a time that Stan would use his charm (and mebbe a handful of Dex) to win you back round!

That said, I loved the guy, and there is barely a week goes by that he doesnt come to mind for one reason or another. I had some f***ing cracking times with him and he introduced me to a few other 'characters', some also no longer with us,Bub, Rob Ward, Pete Balance etc etc. Great nights at such venues as the Central, Londoner, Clifton Hall, and not forgetting our annual soiree to Scarborough and the all dayer at Rudies. Absolutely mental times! I particularlly remember a weekeend trip to Lincolnshire with him and Rob Ward, in order to 'invest' £300 worth of Stan's pit pension money! It's a miracle any of us survived that weeked or the week of mayhem that followed it!

If it wasn't for Stan. I wouldn't have got into the wonderful world of Northern Soul.the way I did. His tales of the Wheel. Torch, Va Va's mesmerised me - the more I learned about it. I wanted to be a part of it, Behind his rough exterior and laugh a minute persona, Stan was an intelligent man and quite well read (some good stuff in those prison libraries!) Il learned a hell of a lot from him, not all of it good, I might add.

One day after we hadn't spoke for several months (another record 'borrowing' incident) I found out Stan was terminally ill and went to see him immediately. He said he didn't hold a grugde against me (for not fetching my records back - that was Stan to a tee!). We got talking about Northern and I told him I'd just got bacjk into the scene, which pleased him. I promised to take him a tape with some of his favourites on. plus some newies he might like. I never got it to him, as I found out he had passed away a couple days before I had arranged to visit again.

A true character in every sense of the word and very sorely missed. RIP mate and thanks for everything.

I will let you be pedantic :thumbsup: . I knew of the Hemsworth connection , but the reason for putting Elmsall , is that is where I always associate Stan with , as most people who knew him did .

As you state , Stan was a well read and intelligent man , and on many occasions our conversations - when his

" attention " were not elsewhere - often veered towards many diverse subjects and topics .

Sadly missed indeed .

Malc

December 9, 2010

Malc,

Pete Balance, i thought it was about 12 years ago, i have spoke to Mick Mullins and he quotes about 10? shame as he was okay, always got time for people.

Regards Jimmy Welsh

Thanks Jimmy .

Until I saw your post , I was not aware that Pete had passed on .

As you state , Pete always had time for people ; I think that is why we got on so well .

Malc

Edited December 9, 2010 by Malc Burton

December 15, 2010

love reading about your memories Swish as many of them are mine as well. if anyone knows the whereabouts of Sam from Sheffield (Hughs as was, last I heard she married Terry?? from Mansfield??) I'd love to get in toch with her

Sue

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