Your Top 10 Northern Soul 'characters'

[jocko]

Click Clark from Hinckley?

 

Sadly Salmon the poster is no longer with us. But he was referring to a chap that reappeared after being away for a while with a legendary knowledge of pills, and allegedly with a few dug in stores. Think he may have been originally from that area but I think was in Manchester when we were kicking around with him, Had a ponytail, fairly tall lad, and was always with video camera. Top lad, think he found heavy religion last I heard and not heard of him for a while

[Guest gunner123]

Big Stan was a giant amongst men and a key character when I came onto the scene in the early 1970s. A regular at Leeds Central and the Intercon in Wakefield and a major scene-ster at the time. Some of the older lads from Leeds, Huddersfield and Wakefield will be to elaborate more 'cos I only really saw Stan at the clubs and I was usually dee-jaying at the time and Stan could be....unpredictable lol. RIP Stan. You're not forgotten mate.

 

Ian D 

I am amazed at just how much he was a big part of peoples lives for whatever reason good or bad :-) What I would give for one night with him at one of his places. I can't wait to see a picture of him in action! TY for replying with your thoughts Ian! I understand he was unpredictable by accounts at home, he was just that sort of person, would not settle down! He definitely made the most of his short life. I am just in awe! <3

[Guest Dave Ward]

Gaz Kellett for always being there, smiling, god knows how many 'nighters I've been too, and he was there. Rick Searling for the education, John Vincent for Dance Floor Mayhem, Levine for being Levine, Curtis for being Curtis, Martyn Ellis for being as mad as a wasp (RIP).

[Professorturnups]

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. Sean was at last 100 Club - in fine form!!

[Guest manusf3a]

Wilky(Master Prankster best sense of humour I have ever encountered wits as quick as lighting.never failed to have a reply  to anything said to him)

 

Passy

 

Brian Taylor

 

John Boyd(Budgie) ...........Four of Corby's finest

 

How many people had a stonking cracking brilliant night at a nighter  because of these fours dedication to the trade of chemist Liberation

 

Mick Gavin R.I.P  Great lad one of the best ,had some fantastic times with Gav ,role model blocker for people of the night.

 

Brian Ray great dj always delivered.

 

Kimbo and Mark    Two great lads since I 've been back on the scene never failed to have a belter of a night whenever we've gone souling two dyed in the wool  people of the night.

 

Big Phil   Not to well these days ,would like to see him back in form, go back a long way some mad but brilliant times from round the wigan era later 70's when first met him.

 

Keith H Knew him all my life from when kids in Corby,died last year in Norwich r.i.p bless him,seen the inside of few chemists after closing with him,back in the days of getting really off the planet he was always up for that.Lost touch with him after he did a 14 year for armed robberies,only talked to him by phone a few times when he got out.After an incident at Cleethorpes early days with wilky,ivan and snotty was always known to me as the Cleethorpes fisherman.

 

Theres so many great folk on the scene I think we all could write many lists of ten,theres more than a few no longer with us but this I suppose is inevitable on a scene that some have been on over forty years,all who have helped make the best music in the world the best scene ever.

 

Mentioning Ivan earlier known to many as "Bomber",a real charecter and the sort of person that made the scene what it was  happy to see him out and about now and again,he was also very close to Keith for a long time.

Edited December 10, 2014 by manusf3a

[Guest manusf3a]

Sadly Salmon the poster is no longer with us. But he was referring to a chap that reappeared after being away for a while with a legendary knowledge of pills, and allegedly with a few dug in stores. Think he may have been originally from that area but I think was in Manchester when we were kicking around with him, Had a ponytail, fairly tall lad, and was always with video camera. Top lad, think he found heavy religion last I heard and not heard of him for a while

He was from Hinckley Jocko,you're right about the religion bit,born again christian.He used to buy a lot of caps and pills from the Corby firm of chemist robbers mid seventies onwards, but did do a couple himself.Most of the stuff he had used to come from Wilky and Snotty from Corby who would sell him bulk parcels .He had a collection of caps and pills he was trying to get two of each amphetamine cap and pill ever made in the uk, my  mate Snotty(Mick Caine) r.i.p gave him the two tone pinks,Dextens and Barbadex that he had in his collection and he got one or two other of the more exotic such as early benzidrine tabs and methemphetamine ampoules from another Corby lad now passed on some five or so years ago.As he used to buy parcels of around a thousand or so,sometimes more assorted caps and pills I think thats why folk thought he was doing so many chemists.He also used to be one of the leicester city football firm well known at filbert street .Snotty used to go and see him quite a bit as they got on pretty well.

Edited November 27, 2014 by manusf3a

[Steve S 60]

He had a collection of caps and pills he was trying to get two of each amphetamine cap and pill ever made in the uk,

 

Stamp collectors are philatelists, beer mat collectors are tegestologists, I wonder if there's a name for collectors of speed......amphetamologists?.  Nice to hear he was a collector of British releases.

[Guest manusf3a]

Stamp collectors are philatelists, beer mat collectors are tegestologists, I wonder if there's a name for collectors of speed......amphetamologists?.  Nice to hear he was a collector of British releases.

Pillamphetacologist? Have you seen that book the "Soul Stylists " Steve  in it there is a photo of some lasses early days mkt harborough nighter a Corby lass Anne Smart is demonstrating that the specialist cottage industry Art and Craft of emptying out your caps and after consuming the contents  put them back together and with a needle and thread construct items of personal jewelry ,she is seem modelling a necklace she made out of green and clears, due to difficulty of obtaining the materiel needed to  carry out this ancient folk art   the required capsules long since taken off the market the art has near enough died out and all we have are what photos remain to remind us off our heritage and times gone by.adly there seems no hope of a revival of this wonderful craft.Some have said contact 400 could used but to the purists this would be just as insulting and crass as the most badly made boots of some of our most revered choons.

[Guest Garry Huxley]

martin barnfather aka soul sam

 

spook

these were my first mentors

 

randy cozens

continuing my education

[Ady Croasdell]

Not gone through this and I'm sure he's there but Jim Eddlestone a Lincoln legend takes some beating; a one-off

[Soap]

known jim more years than i care to remember.i can assure you life was never dull with jim

[hullsoul]

Not gone through this and I'm sure he's there but Jim Eddlestone a Lincoln legend takes some beating; a one-off

Ady

Saw Jim on Saturday at Ad-Libs Lincoln,still trawling through the sales boxes & holding court.Legend is over used term but Jim certainly is one.

Cheers

Martyn

[puw]

From humble beginnings, looking up to the likes of John Le Saint and the Lytham Football Club crew. I used to ride my bike on these nights 5 miles, just to press my face against the windows from outside (too young lol) to watch them Dance, Dance, Dance (Steve Wilson especially).

 

The brother-in-law of Dill [Richard Lang] (Dill - RIP), who ran Kirkham Ambulance Hall every Saturday and my peers such as Pip - RIP, Blakey - RIP, Billy Valentine - RIP etc. This was our Wigan and thanks to the likes of Dill who bought and passed on to his B-I-L everything that was being played @ Wigan. And to the many going to Wigan that night, who would come in for a warm up prior to catching the train, helping us perfect our moves. To Sharron Farrah, the best spinner by far EVER!!!!!

 

To Bob Blackwood, his Blue Ford Tranny Van and raw, pure undrugged energy, The Welcome Inn and all I met there (eg Rick Ogden)

 

To Mr M's Balcony and the kindest of folks up there who gave me space as a young pup to realise & dance my dream - to dance in Mr M's.

 

To the organisers of such venues as The Carousel (I can't count the hours spent in the cafeteria section sat at a table in silence & awe, listening and watching Pete Lawson speak), Bank Hall Miners Club (Little Skinny Gary - amazing dancer), Tony's @ Blackburn (Little Scotty, Sam Moore & Jeanette via Derby) & Parr Hall (to only mention a few) who kept going through those lean years. Organiser #1 for me, though it was many years before I met him - Ady Croadell - and not just for the 100 Club, but for the Cleethorpes Weekenders (a huge task to bring together), and of course for Kent .... but also because he's such a great person & a gent.

 

Brian Rae, Dave Rimmer, Keith "Grumpy" Minshell, Tim Ashibendie amongst others for teaching me about vinyl.

 

The Crewe Crew - especially Bob Connor, Dave Elson, Big Babs, Carl & Shiela - & the N.Wales Crew (John & Babs, Bob Schaeffer) that helped me expand my tastes enormously.

 

Snapper Dave (wish I knew how he is), Ian "Polly" Palmer, 'Old Ian' who's style of dancing around a dancefloor captivated me and put what NS is all about - "heart" & not style, John Mitchell (Mcr) (anyone got an email addy for him pls?), Johnny Pearson and Kegsy, Joe Dunlop, Keith Williams, Pete & Viv who opened up their cramped caravan @ Cleethorpes for me one year, Roger & Bernie, Tony Banks ................ so many good, decent, kind, generous and honourable people (sorry if I forgot to include you).

 

The DJ's that stuck their neck out, and who remained friendly and approachable!

 

Everyone that gave me the space to dance - thank you all

 

But the biggest character for me was Hemel - because he got me into NS.

[Ian Parker]

Eric Hall 

[arnie j]

pickle (brian micklewright),such a character and loved by all who knew him,a very complex but gentle soul,also a very troubled soul on occasions,had some truly superb times with him on and off the soul scene,a little story ive mentioned before......we were at a nighter in the 80s and for some reason the tv cameras were filming the night,pickle was approached by the man with the mike and asked where he gets his energy from ? quick as a flash he replied.... i bought it off him over there ! pointing to a geezer who sold him the goods,rip my friend

jason

[Guest Mrs M]

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.

Eric rang our house last night to speak to Dave but we weren't in so have a message to call him. I shall pass on your messages. x

[Guest Mrs M]

Probably been mentioned but:

Woody from Loughborough

The one and only Teff

Chris Ashby and the ( now) antipodean wonder Mol

God I had some awesome weekends with Micky Cruise and Chris Ashby.. Laughter non stop!!!

[Guest Byrney]

I remember being in the 100 club cloakroom with all of the above along with Micky and Ozzie late 80s. People were legging it to get as far away asks possible from the chaos. Hilarious machine gun speed banter  

[Peter99]

Eric Hall 

Hi Ian

 

I used to knock around with Eric - he was a nice guy. Had a few hairy moments in his orange (yellow) escort! 

 

Here's a couple of pictures of Eric at Cleethorpes.

 

 

 

 

I haven't seen or heard from him for years - are you in touch with him? If so can you tell him I would love to hear from him.

 

 

 

Peter

[Guest Dave Turner]

Hi Ian

 

I used to knock around with Eric - he was a nice guy. Had a few hairy moments in his orange (yellow) escort! 

 

Here's a couple of pictures of Eric at Cleethorpes.

 

eric.jpg

 

eric2.jpg

 

 

I haven't seen or heard from him for years - are you in touch with him? If so can you tell him I would love to hear from him.

 

 

 

Peter

[Peter99]

On 12/7/2014 at 19:40, Dave Turner said:

 

 

Evening mate. 

 

I know! I don't know how to make em bigger. Try looking in my gallery - see if that works.

 

 

Peter

 

 

[Guest Dave Turner]

On 12/7/2014 at 19:44, Peter99 said:

Evening mate. 

 

I know! I don't know how to make em bigger. Try looking in my gallery - see if that works.

 

 

Peter

 

 

 

Yup, bigger in yer gallery fella

 

[Guest manusf3a]

Dj's  

 

Lenny Dopson  ........

 

Big Danny

 

 

John Mc

 

 

Glen Bellamy

 

 

Rug Bowers(r.i.p)

 

 

Wilky 

 

 

Just a few of the many from the golden  triangle of Northants (that incorperates Corby,Wellingborough ,Kettering,Northmpton etc) who have been there over the years at different times from way back to now ,different styles,takes on the music  leanings towards one aspect or the other,up or mid tempo 60ts newies etc  but all helping to provide a top soul envirnment for folk to dwell in.There would be loads more Marco,Karl,Gibby,Dalbert all who had and have their own take on choons. etc.Always said Wilky could of been well up there(up! there he was no doubt!!!!! always) great collection back in the day spent many brilliant hours at his mums with him and Rug playing choons..The lads still doing it are keeping the soul banner high and long may they do so.

Edited December 10, 2014 by manusf3a

[Back Street Blue]

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.

WOW....(sorry for bringing up this old post but only just seen it as this thread's been resurrected...)

The bloke dancing in M's is definitely "Chaddy" (Gary Chadderton from Oldham) and I'd put money on the fella profiled in the right hand side frame of the photo being Bryan Millard (from Shaw)

This must have been taken at the oldies anniversary in '81 going off the length, or rather lack of, Chaddy's sideburns and given that he stopped going to Wigan in '76 except for that oldies night!!

Chaddy and Lemmy, Dougie Ling, Joey Horton, Paul Maceever, Ian Galvin and Ronnie Hanley....all legends to us young pups from Oldham.

[Back Street Blue]

Sorry photo's not come up with quoted post!!!.....bugger!

[Back Street Blue]

....Here it is "Chad Chad the fat skinny lad"

[clevesoulie]

Tim Ashibende and Gene Merideth...the two guys who helped me learn more about Northern soul, expanding my knowledge about the music, starting a collection, etc. I'm still in contact with Gene. Tim and I sadly haven't chatted in a while.

 

Ady Croasdell...I've met him in person twice in the States. Great guy and you gotta love what he does to keep the flag flying for Northern soul.

 

Barry James...just a great, all-around personable guy. Hope he's doing well.

 

Bob Hall...for a time, he was living south of Cleveland, in Akron. Another great guy. We used to run into each other at record shows. RIP, my friend.

 

And, of course, everyone I've met online, many of you I've yet to meet in person...everyone from the KTF bunch to the Soulful Detroit Forum bunch to all the folks here and on Facebook. I enjoy chatting with you, the occasional record trade, just everything...I hope to make it to Chicago in late June and, hopefully, meet more people in person. God Bless.

 

Best,

 

Mark

[Guest gunner123]

maybe a big ask but has anyone got any pictures of my uncle Stan Spencer? Would make my year! :-)

[Mark Soul]

two top lads dave mccadden and my old mate nigel flaherty great times

[Geeselad]

two well missed characters that passed in the last few years back, Mickey Cruise and Tony Evan's , another Tony, mr foster who's on sabbatical at the moment , the irrepressible Dave Carne and a few who I can still fortunately enjoy the odd night out with, the stately Jez Jones and the king and queen of secular gospel, Simon and Amanda Cottrell

Edited December 15, 2016 by geeselad

[Guest MC Little Anne]

Here goes have chopped this list right down as too many are in my memory ... Of course Micky Cruise is always gonna be up there for me after all 18 years is a long time making each other laugh out loud .. In no set order ... Dave Molloy and Julie Molloy who are like family to me and to Dave for not telling me to shoo when I would follow him around Stafford asking the names of certain 60's newies ... Pete Lawson for the Stafford memories and taking me from knowing a few people to knowing tons of top people and for making me laugh snot bubbles :-/ with his manic ways .. for similar endless laughter the following .. Tommo , Ozzie , Martin Meyler soz if spelt wrong .. Chris Ashby , Curly Waters the daft ed .. Edwin from Whales :-)  Bob Burton just cos He's Bob Burton , I've prob left loads off for fear of rambling on Micky Hodge , All the Dj's everywhere Brian Rae who still texts me good night no matter what Guy Hennigan .. Keb Darge my fave top dj's from TOTW and last but not least my close ladies of soul who all know who they are ..... Oh and deffo would love to see more of Nipper from Leyland on the scene to liven it up its what we all need now days more more querky Laughter Phew that it me done soz its a bit lengthy sn***** xx Annie

[Guest northernsoul62]

Ian clark really nice guy

[Guest aintgotit]

Im a bitnof a young un so my characters may be e different,FIrst of all where i grew up in keighley west yorkshire there were few characters who knew how to spend their weekends without ten pints a scrap bag o chips and last bus home, out of  those , Jimmy summers r.i.p should get a mention as he alone kept soul music alive through local nights at central youth club haworth youth club occasional all dayers,  but best known ( in keighley at least was the RAOB,or buffs as it was affectionately known,his scootering comrades being woz, dave cutler and norman gillson, the one person being the biggest formative influence on me age fiteen ,has to be ma big brother les,, he had style,he never failed to lift me out the shit, or make sure an argument always turned into a fight, in which he was ali and i was joe bugner! . No less important were weasel , paul reynard,(pabs) organised a minibus which took me to my first allnighter and made sure i got in , ,loads more from keighley alone, stevie frear,andy reynard, (pabs brother, ,a grumpy, in yer face , opinionated and fucking surreally hilarious hitchin,train jumping, ,occasionally flawed but never improved upon ,mate who  was my best mate and fellow miscreant every single  weekend , til station rd shut,and clifton hall took over(sort of) ,i read here earlier, the name Craig dethiick and his mate rob ,when i was sixteen i watched "everybody "dance, (still do), and have to say to watch big craig dance, which werent, frequent, you could say he loved major lance, but he was completely unique, to me, as was dave evison, either dancing or introducing music onstage, he stood out, as did gary rushbrooke, ,  mace from manchester,pip scouse from prescott, john zoff and karl heard from saarth yawwkshir, bev and sylv janet amd her twin from wigan, mick francis vernon and a lad called ,i think simon who won the dance comp in 81,for being superhuman on the dance floor,,fox and duncan and the eight coach loads of a few mates they brought with em from trainspotting toon. . Whoever promoted and kept clouds goin and chose the music policy ,  george seddon who stopped some locals gadges from giving me a hiding outside wallgate station, .little rob from wigan, for  showing us how to avoid tripping on broken glass. and the best way to hoover it up, georgina from scarborough, karen from shipley, ,lynn from chesterfield, ,the record bar , somewhere in which nobody ever fell over ,unlike the balcony stairs, and the baths which  seemed to cause it,.adey crossdell , and those hes involved for over thirty five years , anita holland,for never ever sounding surprised, and ed battin,his sister and mentor val and fearsome elder brother , " dust my broom??" Dust my bollocks more like!" . Each in their own unique way never failed to grasp the opportunity to take the piss out of us. .  I havent forgotten countless mates , acquaintances ,,vendors, victims, vikings and visionaries, , all of whom helped convince me i had a career waiting in psychiatric care , ,the reverend andrew hall ,(or three livers, as hes never referred to ,not even by ross mcwhirter..who hes outlived anyway. ( more transplants than wayne rooneys crown.) .he was that sickof people drawing crosses on him, he just hung one round his neck,  and several dozen around his office. ricky and sue warburton , brent and ronnie,(and party sue) ,and greg and nige and dusty ,(and trusty),cuthbert dibble and grub( you know who you are).

[Mark Soul]

martin brogan for driving that old tranny van to the casino

dave thorley for keeping the scene going at stafford

steve whittle for filling the dance floor

nigel flartey for great memories

sean gibbons for fantastic nighters at morecambe pier and carlton allnighters

[Dc10ibiza53]

PETE TILSLEY

ALAN DAY 

MIGHTY BUB

MATCHEY

ROD SHARD

RICHARD SEARLING

GAZ KELLETT

SWISH

BRIAN LEAER

JOHNNY DAY