Blue Max Rip

[Anoraks Corner]

A message from Dave Evison

I regularly called in his shop trying in vain to sell him the new product I had to sell as a record rep in the '80's and inevitably we'd disappear into the rear of the shop and have our usual 'Torch' vs 'Cats' and Stoke vs Wolves debates over a cuppa, and he always had a smile on his face.

I recall going out on the road with Dave (hi mate) when I first joined Charly Records, and he took me to Max's (legendary in the music trade!) shop on my very first day...almost 25 years ago! Max was welcoming and friendly and offered words of encouragement...something I really appreciated and needed to hear!

A few years earlier I had also had the pleasure of meeting Froggy (fellow Cats DJ), who spoke highly of Max...would like to think they are now arranging a double-deck session in that big nighter in the sky.

I humbly add my condolences to Max's family and friends.

[Flanny]

been away for the weekend I am in shock,

one of the nicest blokes on the scene ALWAYS had time to stop and chat records had lots of dealings over records with Max all positive

thanks for the memories

will miss you god bless

Brian & Debbie Flanders

[harpo1]

I bought a few of Max's records from the first time around and usually kept the cardboard covers as his writing was so neat! Quite proud of this "Cover-Up" with his writing on the sleeve that he played at the Cat's. Manny Charles indeed. He had originally put a sticker over it!

[Pauldonnelly]

I hope no one is offended by this..

When Kenny rang me Sunday to say "Max has gone" I don't mind admitting I broke down, to such a degree I could'n't actually talk (sorry Kenny what you must have thought of me god knows) he was such a gentle man who would do anything for ya with a smile on his face and not a bad word to say about anyone. We spoke virtually everyday about this that and the othe via soul source PM and emailsr and when Sam and Max came over for me 54th in Boro with a smile and a bottle of Malt I was chuffed to bits. There was one of the Iconic DJ's from our scene sitting on a table at MY FOOKIN PARTY.

.

I know some who knew him a lot better than I ever will have really been effeceted by Max's passing to such a degree nights out planned for this weekend have been put on the back burner,,,hey come on, Max would have wanted everyone of us to get off our arses and show the same passion that he has toward the UK soul scene this last 40 years.

My one hour spot at Nuneaton this Sat will be dedicated to Mr Max Millward.

PS...Thank you to the soul source community for there posts within this thread, it has withuut question helped me cope with such a sad loss this last 48hrs..

PD

Edited June 1, 2010 by PaulDonnelly

[Pete S]

Some thing i always wondered but never asked where did the blue come from ?

It was like a stage name, the Blue Max was a First World War pilot. I think.

[Guest]

It was like a stage name, the Blue Max was a First World War pilot. I think.

I did ask Max many moons ago about the " Blue " bit , and he looked at me - with that glint in his eyes that he had - and told me it was from when he was in porn films ......

Malc Burton

[Guest Mike The Bike]

I knew Max from Broad Lane and the Stables he was always genuinely pleased to see me, made me feel welcome, and i always thoroughly enjoyed myself at any event he put on. His charm and smile were infectious and his presence could elevate if you were feeling down. I remember my first night at Broad Lane . . packed floor great atmosphere and a genuine music policy that was truly catering for everyone. Max had no visible airs or agenda and his cheeky grin made him instantly accessible to all who were fortunate to meet him. Broad Lane is possibly the only club that i would travel to from London just for a soul night, i once asked Max to play Footsie and instead of coming out with all the usual excuses he was only to happy to play it and revel in the joke.

I can only add my voice to all that has been said, i didnt really know Max all that well and yet that deeply personal sense of loss has engulfed me over this past couple of days and shows little sign of dissipating, surely a fitting testimony to the tremendous spirit of this wonderful human being.

I am sure that Max will now take his rightful place in the pantheon of Northern Soul and his example will forever shine and serve as a beacon for us mere mortals . . the scene may have lost a dear friend but it will never lose his contribution and that is his legacy.

Goodbye Max thanks for the memories

[homeoftheblues]

I am proud to have known Max for many years and was truly gutted to hear the news. He was a real gentleman and a great DJ, the world is poorer place without him

Rest In Peace old friend

Martin

[Rhino]

r.i.p. max gone but never will be forgotten

[harpo1]

Have been moochin; at home, the last day at the shop we called in Ste and Kath Powell were also there, i said can i take something as a momento, we looked in the back, very empty, bot on a shelf was a mirror, with tacky, plastic suround, probaly cost no more than 1/ 6d when bought, i have it here now, Sandi took a large piece of wallpaper that had peeled at the edges!

As we chatted i recalled the final Bretby, when they said people coud take away a small item, Smokey went home with a massive fire extinguisher, "well Harpo" said Max, "we wont be beaten", and produced one from behind the counter, its kept in the kitchen at home.

We will frame with wallpaper as backdrop, with mirror and from my 50th birthday , there was a book where people wrote comment, and the like, Max wrote me a really nice one, so that and a photo wil go in, not sure we can also get the extinguisher in aswell, But i will make it so it cannot be let off, its memory value far exceedsthat of a chip pan fire

LOL

PH XXX

[premiumsoul]

One of the nicest and most respected person I've ever met on our scene

RIP Max

Andy

[Jez Jones]

I hope no one is offended by this..

When Kenny rang me Sunday to say "Max has gone" I don't mind admitting I broke down, to such a degree I could'n't actually talk (sorry Kenny what you must have thought of me god knows) he was such a gentle man who would do anything for ya with a smile on his face and not a bad word to say about anyone. We spoke virtually everyday about this that and the othe via soul source PM and emailsr and when Sam and Max came over for me 54th in Boro with a smile and a bottle of Malt I was chuffed to bits. There was one of the Iconic DJ's from our scene sitting on a table at MY FOOKIN PARTY.

.

I know some who knew him a lot better than I ever will have really been effeceted by Max's passing to such a degree nights out planned for this weekend have been put on the back burner,,,hey come on, Max would have wanted everyone of us to get off our arses and show the same passion that he has toward the UK soul scene this last 40 years.

My one hour spot at Nuneaton this Sat will be dedicated to Mr Max Millward.

PS...Thank you to the soul source community for there posts within this thread, it has withuut question helped me cope with such a sad loss this last 48hrs..

PD

What a great idea Paul, and I'm sure many many DJ's up and down the land this weekend will take time out and dedicate a record to Mr Max Millward as a mark of respect to a man who without doubt helped shape the 'scene' in its infancy and touched so many people with his kindness,humility and great nature since then. A true gentlemen ,who was held in the highest esteem by those whose lives he touched-----that is the measure of the man. RIP and God bless you Max

Edited June 1, 2010 by jez jones

[Jenko]

Along with Swoz probably taught me everything i know about about sounds , artists , labels etc .. a true gent.

R.I.P mate

Paddy & Mary Jennings .

[Guest mel brat]

If anyone can remember a couple of Cats tunes that were specifically associated with Max, I would appreciate it.

Will be doing a short tribute to him on Staffordshire/Cheshire station Signal 2 this Saturday.

Much appreciated.

Little Joe Roman - "When You're Lonesome (Come On Home)" (TUFF)

Lou Pride - "I'm Cumun Home In The Mornun" (SUEMI) [late '74, post Catacombs]

...both of which Max played long before they took off elsewhere, as far as I'm aware. There were many, many others.

(Rose Valentine - "I Gotta Know Right Now" (RCA-VICTOR) was another big Max spin.)

"The Blue Max' was a 1966 American film about a German fighter pilot on the Western Front during World War I..". (Wikipedia)

Max & 'Basil' (Paul Grainger) at the last Catacombs Allnighter, July 13th 1974

Edited June 3, 2010 by mel brat

[Pat Wallace]

I did ask Max many moons ago about the " Blue " bit , and he looked at me - with that glint in his eyes that he had - and told me it was from when he was in porn films ......

Malc Burton

That's Max Malc, well put. So sad he did not have the time with his granchild he was so chuffed about. Thoughts are with his family.

Pat & Annette

[Guest Angela Lawrence]

Heard this sad news on Sunday and only just able to compose myself enough to add that I have known Max since I was seventeen and he was a kind and generous friend to me. I am so very sad that he has gone.

[Guest poacher]

only knew max for 3 years ,true gent to us and always a kiss hug ,and kind word to our kirsty ,which always made her feel at home ,cheers max we wont forget you mate

[Guest happy soul]

SAD NEWS SUNDAY TO HERE OUR FRIEND MAX HAD PASSED AWAY,with him saturday night at the stabbles and he was his warm welcoming self which every soulie new.he was the godfarther of soul the one we looked up to and loved to chat TO .He was a true gentleman and a perfect ambassetor for the soul scene. our thoughts go out to linda and the family .WE WILL MISS MAX LOADS BUT WILL NOT FORGET HIM,the memories we have will be cherished with the love he gave us and everyone he met.night max god bless HAPPY SOUL ARNY LYNNE MICK @MACCA

[Xss]

I thought you might like this Kev : I took it of you and Max deep in conversation at last year's Torch Reunion .

His input will be sadly missed this year .

Malc Burton

[Xss]

GREAT PHOTO OF TWO TOP DJS AND NOT A DECK OR RECORD IN SITE LOL LOVE THIS PHOTO SAM EVANS

Edited June 1, 2010 by XSS

[Agentsmith]

with reference to any posts here mentioning paying tribute at your respective gigs: so it should be and of course, a minutes silence in his honour......can all you djs and promotors assure that happens this weekend...yes?

YOU MAY ALSO BE AWARE THAT ON JULY 10TH,NEIL RUSHTON IS STAGING THE CATS REUNION AT GREAT WYRLEY....36 YEARS SINCE IT SHUT ITS DOORS AND NOW ITS MOST LEGENDARY ASSET IS SILENT....HOW TRAGICALLY POIGNANT....SO

IN HONOUR OF MAX WILL EVERY SISTER AND BROTHER MAKE THIS DATE AS SPECIAL AS POSSIBLE, IN PARTICULAR ANYONE WHO WENT TO THE CATS AND HASNT FOR WHATEVER REASON, ATTENDED A REUNION BEFORE, NOWS THE TIME TO MAKE THE EFFORT AND SHOW YOUR APPRECIATION OF A TRULY GREAT GUY...I KNOW THAT WILL MAKE NEILS DAY.

i mentioned about the wednesday night sessions, yes max always did them on his own...at least thats what i observed....saturdays were for neil, bill baker, bazil and pep.

i havent forgotten, however, there were others involved as well including: carl dene, oscar micheal, alan day alan.s, bob crocker, graham warr and various guests.

i would like to think they looked on max as the star act and they were the supporting cast, views may vary on this but there's no doubt BLUE MAX WAS A GIANT WHO EVERYONE FOLLOWED.

rob.h

[max millward]

https://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=131008250245750#!/group.php?gid=131008250245750&ref=mf

[Chris Anderton]

Absolute top bloke, known him since his return to the scene at Albrighton in the 90s.

Love him to bits...a true Gent and somebody I looked up to as a man as well as a Soul-man.

Will miss you mate.

Chris

[Hitsville Chalky]

My one hour spot at Nuneaton this Sat will be dedicated to Mr Max Millward ..... Nice one Paul

Every Nolan porter show over the next few weeks will be Dedicated to The One and Only " BLUE MAX "! and I've added a tribute to Max in The live Show .

[purist]

Like so many others have said, I really want to put something down in writing but cant yet get my head, or my heart, around it properly.

I'd like to share with you all the life stories that we shared, and the ones he told me over the years, so you could know him how I knew him. Reading some of the above posts I know people knew there was a lot more than just music to Max.

Here's just one example from hundreds, of the kindness of the man. On separate occasions both Ken & myself fell out of work during a particularly tough time for unemployment in the 80's and what did Max do? he gave us both a job working in his record & video shop. I'd never worked in a shop before, and I don't think Ken had either, but that didn't make any difference. On my first day I broke a brand new video, it had just cost max 70 quid, and before he could even get one rental out of it I'd wrecked it. If the shoe had been on the other foot I'd have told him not to bother coming back the next day, but Max wasn't like that.

I did learn, rather quickly, after that, just how to do the job. Don't think I broke anything else, wore out a few styluses though !

My experience in the shop led in a round about way to running my own enterprise, and it was Max who encouraged me to try it on my own when I was unsure of whether to try it. He gave me invaluable assistance and advice on running your own business, one gem I always remembered and repeated it to anyone who asked advice from me over the years

" Only do business with people you like".

Truly the only time in my businesses that I had trouble getting paid was from people my gut instinct told me were wrong un's, and when I'd tell Max this he'd remind me, heavy emphasis on the first word -

'Only People You Like' as he wagged his finger playfully.

We've had many exploits, funny and otherwise along the way, both from happily being "just punters" out for a night of great tunes and good company, to the other end of the scale, DJ'ing and Promoting. Max thoroughly enjoyed getting out and about, perhaps my fave from that period would be our jaunts up to Wigan for the Orwell nights. Yes of course the music was fabulous, with guests like Richard and Gavin, let alone the resident line up to die for, it was always gonna be, but honestly what made the nite my fave was because, at Max's insistence, we'd always stop off on the motorway home for a full English, with extra mushrooms of course. Over the years on the way home from venues far and near we tried all the different Motorway Service Stations, rating their abilities in the egg frying department and mushroom generosity. Between 3 and 6 in the morning you can get a strange mix of people working in these places, but Max could always charm them, especially the elderly women, into giving us a few more deep fried mushrooms!

Thinking of places where we'd stop for a breakfast on the way home from bought this to mind - Max rarely danced, but one time up at the Pigeon Club Niter in Bolton, about third record in my set I got him going with Jimmy Gresham and he stayed dancing to the end of my set. One of my fondest memories, happier times, both for the scene and me personally.

Of all the joint DJ stories I'd like to share, I'll start with an easy one. Max had been asked to go play some Catacombs era tunes and he asked me to join him as we were doing most of our bookings as a double act at the time. We get up to Yorkshire with me fairly in the dark as was usual. " I've asked if we can do one longer set instead of doing two short separate ones" he tells me, fine thought I, much prefer doing one hour instead of two half hours.

We kept a couple of boxes made up of Oldies from the early years, so we didn't have to keep going looking for records every time a booking came along, so I was quite confident we had what we needed. The set got underway and went well. I don't wear a watch but as I realised we'd gone through a large percentage of the boxes we'd taken with us, I asked Max how long we were supposed to play for? He answered " Just keep going", which we did. About ten or fifteen records later I asked again " Keep going, I'll go find out", he says as he leaves me to it and disappears into the other room. We usually reckon on twenty two or twenty three records per hour, so I'd gotten through at least a further half hours worth of vinyl by the time he came back. He didn't say anything, just got his head into the box looking for something to play, as though he'd only been gone a minute. When he turned around I expected him to say something, but instead he just cued the record up, introduced it and then turned to me with an odd look, I presume this look was in response to the puzzled look I was wearing.

" What did they say" I asked,

" Who? About What?" he replied.

" About how long we're supposed to carry on for?".

"Oh, I didn't ask. I went to the toilet and forgot to ask. Got caught up in a conversation with some lad, nice guy, you probably know him, says he knows you".

I was what we call gob smacked. There was just nothing to say, and every time I looked at him he'd just laugh, or grin, but always with that familiar twinkle in his eye. " Keep going, we can always start playing the B sides" he chortled.

In the end we did a set that probably lasted about three and a quarter hours or something equally silly. Knackering, but I loved it.

Funny thing was about five years later we're at Keele Niter and one of the most respected Promoters on the scene taps me and says " That Niter you did up at Sheridans, I tell people that's the best set I ever heard in my life, the music was perfect and you put it over so well".

"If only he knew" I said to Max.

Needless to say after that when Max phoned to say he'd got us a booking my first question was never where is it, or what style have we got to play, it was always " How long is the set"

A tale of a different sort-

One time while I was doing some sorting of my collection Max was visiting and noticed I'd got two copies of Delegates Of Soul. I'm a bit hopeless at getting rid of any spare copies I've got of things, and he'd constantly be on at me to move them on, " turn them back into money and then back into a different record" was what he'd say. Eventually I half relented, then came up with the excuse " Ah but which one should I let go? Knowing me I'll sell the one that's the rarer of the two".

He gave me that look, picked up the super clean issue and said " That's Easy. Sell this one". I looked at it in all it's pristine mintyness, then at the other copy (which is a rather sad and scruffy looking white labelled version prob. a demo but it doesn't say so? Perhaps it's just water damage?) and asked " Why do you say keep this one?"

" It's had a life" he says with that familiar twinkle in his eye, and I immediately knew he was right. Max and I agreed on many things, our one big difference was on the WDJ's versus stock copies debate. Max being originally a white demo man back in the day when it was almost all UK labels only, and me being (preferably black) issues, though neither of us followed it exclusively or even seriously, it was just something to banter over. We'd tease each other when we bought records in the others favoured format, you know the score, me saying " What you had that for, you could have had a beautiful issue for half that much, and you'll have to buy a new rubber to keep it gleaming white after every play". Him saying " As you've bought the white demo will you get the kids box of crayons out when you get it home to colour it in"

Anyway, being a good lad and doing what I was told I sold the clean copy, and then typically, a couple of months later it was fetching five times as much as I sold it for. When I pointed this out to him saying " This is why I hate selling records, I always do the wrong thing".

Quick as a flash he countered with a wink and " Ah but you kept the right one "...... ;-)

Another story I'd like to share is about Messrs B and T. Years later we were still getting asked about this, how it came about etc, so here's the tale -

Following his 20+ year hiatus he made his return to the scene in the late 90's and was to be found attending, and then later playing sets at, progressive non Oldies venues like Albrighton, where he mixed it up in true across the board style (X-Over, 70's and rare 60's) He loved the freedom of these sets but he felt that he'd never escape the formative years tunes he was so well known for, the Cats classics etc. Every so often he'd get asked to go play an Oldies set somewhere, and he rarely if ever refused, and never disappointed the dance floor. He got around it by asking for an early set at one Oldies nite (which clashed with Albrighton) that used to regularly ask him , so he could get up to Lea Manor by Eleven, in time for the main sets. Not daft our Max ! Had his cake and ate it. One nite he came into the Manor from this oldies nite asking if Dickie Wonder had ever been booted. When everyone said No, he proudly produced a nice mint one, telling us he'd got it from a box of boots at this Oldies nite. Best part was they were 3 for a fiver ! No wonder he was always smiling !

He did have a small hang up when he returned to DJ'ing on the scene around the time the great mass of returnees came back. He said that when some folk saw the name Blue Max on a flyer they expected him to play the tunes that were the big newies in the early 70's not the big newies of today, and he drew the comparison with me and 80's/Stafford era tunes. I felt that people should be able to work out the difference whether the flyer was advertising Blue Max doing a set at Goodyears' (which anyone with half a brain knew was going to be 99% Oldies) as opposed to seeing his name on a flyer for The Cross Keys Hednesford (where his set was obviously going to be 99% X-Over) Max being Max he'd accept the booking to go play early years Oldies, using his gifts to ram the floor, then he'd spend his DJ earnings buying more Rarities and Newies which really floated his boat.

Sorry, wandered off the story a little there. The style that later became known as Y2K and the whole Modden Soul/Nu-soul influence was growing on the rare soul scene as we approached the magic date on the calendar, and because of Max's record industry contacts he'd sometimes get exclusive tracks and rare mixes which were more dance floor friendly of these new releases. Although we both enjoyed including one or two of these new Y2K tunes in amongst the 60's/70's it was a lot easier to play them all together, doing them as a modern room set. A few months later, at the height of the very humorous pretend R'n'B versus Y2K fake war of words, Max and I were going through the passageway from the main room to the modern room and we had to pass all the record sellers as this voice popped up. In his lovely mix of mostly North West but with a faint scattering of Dudley accent, Dave Rimmer shouted after us " I suppose you pair are off in there to play that bloody horrible bumpy and thumpy music now" pointing towards the modern room.

Duly admonished we trudged away, tails well and truly between our legs at the thought of losing our membership cards to the rare 60's soul appreciation fellowship, having been outed as players of modern and the dreaded Y2K ( and if you believe this last part you'll believe anything :-)

Once behind the decks we were soon in the 2K groove, and whilst I'm not 100% sure after the passing of time, I'm fairly certain that it was me who came up with the idea of using Dave's taunt as an alter ego for our DJ'ing exploits on the dark side. Once we started to use the names Bumpy & Thumpy it gave us the chance to cut loose that nite, and the only problem came later, from the repeated questioning of the names. For the record I was Bumpy and Max was Thumpy, the reasons why I'll save for another day

I've kept just a few flyers over the years but I must confess to having a liking for the ones where it said Blue Max & JP in the pro 60's main room, but Bumpy & Thumpy in the modern room. Not exactly Superman and Clark Kent, but it kept us amused for a while.

Before I go. On thing Max used to like to trot out to any soulie who'd listen was how " These pair of bathplugs" ( or a word that sounded something like that)as he'd point at me and Ken. "They dragged me back on the scene. I was quite happy in my little shop, my years of Northern Soul behind me". Well we hardly dragged him, we did bully cajole him a bit, with nites of curry and tunes around Ken's house, but from that first nite back at Lea Manor, he loved it. Of course he didn't know the records, but somehow he did this thing, where every few tunes he'd say " I like this one, rare? how much ?". And do you know what, he instictively missed all the five pounders and picked out all the really rare tunes, some newies on their first or second spin. One thing he was adament about was that he wasn't going to start collecting again. Well within a couple of nites he'd got himself a little book, to write down all these new wants and the rest as they say is history. Northern Soul is Max, and for Max his-story is Northern Soul....

All these stories and thoughts aside, my favourite memories of Max wont be music related, it will be of him at my house with my kids. Both he and Ken became honorary Uncle's in my family and my kids love them both dearly, because of how they have been with them over the time that they've known them.

Invariably Max would always leave our house with the same saying " You Kids, be good for your Mom". I knew he meant ' You can play your Dad up as much as you like' :-)

When I told the family of Max's passing my son Will said " Max knew me from being a baby to being a young man". I answered " It's pretty similar to me, he knew me as a schoolkid, not even a teenager, right through to what today feels like a very old man".

God bless you Max, I hope you've got a while before I join you, so make a start on sorting out the best places up there for the post Niter Full English.

With extra mushrooms of course !

John Pugh

(mods- if this is too big should I put it in a blog?)

[dthedrug]

All who know Max,

He was rushed into hospital from Brookfields last night with heart problems and put into intensive care. I have spoken with Linda his wife this morning and it seems he was caught at the right time, and is being kept in for observation because his oxygen levels are low. In typical Max fashon he was worried about a booking he has today !!. I will be round his house tonight and will post up later how he is getting on as only family is allowed in intesive care.

Im sure you will all want to wish him well and a speedy recovery.

Ken & Claudette

I AM SO SHOCKED TO HERE THIS DEVASTATING NEWS, I WAS SO MUCH LOOKING FOREWARD TO SEEING HIM AT THE TORCH, I CANT EXPLAINE MY FEELINGS APART FROM DEEP SHOCK! MY DEEPEST SYMPATHY GO TO FAMILY AND FREINDS OF THIS OLD SAGE THE BLUE MAX. THAT MEANS TO ALL ON SOUL SOURCE ....DAVE KILWORTH GOD BLESS MAX.

[dthedrug]

I was another lucky person to be influenced by Max many years ago,although unfortunately i hadn´t spoken to him or seen him since probably 1977 ,once met never forgotten, a true gent.

Peace be wth him

Steve

records that remind me of Max

Buster Pearson-Pretty woman

Pat James-Play that thang

fabulous Emotions Number one fool

Woode Nickels-nobody but you

and as someone wrote earlier when he did the whole night on a wednesday at the Cats it was something else!

BUSTER PEARSON PROBERLY THE BEST AND FIRST COVER UP AS SUCH? I REMEMBER HONYEND HEARTBREAKER ALSO BEING COVERD UP WAS THAT A MAX RECORD OR A STOKE SOUND? HE NEVER FORGOT ME OVER THE LAST 40 YEARS AND I WILL NEVER FORGET HIM DAVE KIL

[Nige Brown]

All these stories and thoughts aside, my favourite memories of Max wont be music related, it will be of him at my house with my kids. Both he and Ken became honorary Uncle's in my family and my kids love them both dearly, because of how they have been with them over the time that they've known them.

Invariably Max would always leave our house with the same saying " You Kids, be good for your Mom". I knew he meant ' You can play your Dad up as much as you like' :-)

When I told the family of Max's passing my son Will said " Max knew me from being a baby to being a young man". I answered " It's pretty similar to me, he knew me as a schoolkid, not even a teenager, right through to what today feels like a very old man".

God bless you Max, I hope you've got a while before I join you, so make a start on sorting out the best places up there for the post Niter Full English.

With extra mushrooms of course !

John Pugh

(mods- if this is too big should I put it in a blog?)

[Jordirip]

Like so many others have said, I really want to put something down in writing but cant yet get my head, or my heart, around it properly.

I'd like to share with you all the life stories that we shared, and the ones he told me over the years, so you could know him how I knew him. Reading some of the above posts I know people knew there was a lot more than just music to Max.

Here's just one example from hundreds, of the kindness of the man. On separate occasions both Ken & myself fell out of work during a particularly tough time for unemployment in the 80's and what did Max do? he gave us both a job working in his record & video shop. I'd never worked in a shop before, and I don't think Ken had either, but that didn't make any difference. On my first day I broke a brand new video, it had just cost max 70 quid, and before he could even get one rental out of it I'd wrecked it. If the shoe had been on the other foot I'd have told him not to bother coming back the next day, but Max wasn't like that.

I did learn, rather quickly, after that, just how to do the job. Don't think I broke anything else, wore out a few styluses though !

My experience in the shop led in a round about way to running my own enterprise, and it was Max who encouraged me to try it on my own when I was unsure of whether to try it. He gave me invaluable assistance and advice on running your own business, one gem I always remembered and repeated it to anyone who asked advice from me over the years

" Only do business with people you like".

Truly the only time in my businesses that I had trouble getting paid was from people my gut instinct told me were wrong un's, and when I'd tell Max this he'd remind me, heavy emphasis on the first word -

'Only People You Like' as he wagged his finger playfully.

We've had many exploits, funny and otherwise along the way, both from happily being "just punters" out for a night of great tunes and good company, to the other end of the scale, DJ'ing and Promoting. Max thoroughly enjoyed getting out and about, perhaps my fave from that period would be our jaunts up to Wigan for the Orwell nights. Yes of course the music was fabulous, with guests like Richard and Gavin, let alone the resident line up to die for, it was always gonna be, but honestly what made the nite my fave was because, at Max's insistence, we'd always stop off on the motorway home for a full English, with extra mushrooms of course. Over the years on the way home from venues far and near we tried all the different Motorway Service Stations, rating their abilities in the egg frying department and mushroom generosity. Between 3 and 6 in the morning you can get a strange mix of people working in these places, but Max could always charm them, especially the elderly women, into giving us a few more deep fried mushrooms!

Thinking of places where we'd stop for a breakfast on the way home from bought this to mind - Max rarely danced, but one time up at the Pigeon Club Niter in Bolton, about third record in my set I got him going with Jimmy Gresham and he stayed dancing to the end of my set. One of my fondest memories, happier times, both for the scene and me personally.

Of all the joint DJ stories I'd like to share, I'll start with an easy one. Max had been asked to go play some Catacombs era tunes and he asked me to join him as we were doing most of our bookings as a double act at the time. We get up to Yorkshire with me fairly in the dark as was usual. " I've asked if we can do one longer set instead of doing two short separate ones" he tells me, fine thought I, much prefer doing one hour instead of two half hours.

We kept a couple of boxes made up of Oldies from the early years, so we didn't have to keep going looking for records every time a booking came along, so I was quite confident we had what we needed. The set got underway and went well. I don't wear a watch but as I realised we'd gone through a large percentage of the boxes we'd taken with us, I asked Max how long we were supposed to play for? He answered " Just keep going", which we did. About ten or fifteen records later I asked again " Keep going, I'll go find out", he says as he leaves me to it and disappears into the other room. We usually reckon on twenty two or twenty three records per hour, so I'd gotten through at least a further half hours worth of vinyl by the time he came back. He didn't say anything, just got his head into the box looking for something to play, as though he'd only been gone a minute. When he turned around I expected him to say something, but instead he just cued the record up, introduced it and then turned to me with an odd look, I presume this look was in response to the puzzled look I was wearing.

" What did they say" I asked,

" Who? About What?" he replied.

" About how long we're supposed to carry on for?".

"Oh, I didn't ask. I went to the toilet and forgot to ask. Got caught up in a conversation with some lad, nice guy, you probably know him, says he knows you".

I was what we call gob smacked. There was just nothing to say, and every time I looked at him he'd just laugh, or grin, but always with that familiar twinkle in his eye. " Keep going, we can always start playing the B sides" he chortled.

In the end we did a set that probably lasted about three and a quarter hours or something equally silly. Knackering, but I loved it.

Funny thing was about five years later we're at Keele Niter and one of the most respected Promoters on the scene taps me and says " That Niter you did up at Sheridans, I tell people that's the best set I ever heard in my life, the music was perfect and you put it over so well".

"If only he knew" I said to Max.

Needless to say after that when Max phoned to say he'd got us a booking my first question was never where is it, or what style have we got to play, it was always " How long is the set"

A tale of a different sort-

One time while I was doing some sorting of my collection Max was visiting and noticed I'd got two copies of Delegates Of Soul. I'm a bit hopeless at getting rid of any spare copies I've got of things, and he'd constantly be on at me to move them on, " turn them back into money and then back into a different record" was what he'd say. Eventually I half relented, then came up with the excuse " Ah but which one should I let go? Knowing me I'll sell the one that's the rarer of the two".

He gave me that look, picked up the super clean issue and said " That's Easy. Sell this one". I looked at it in all it's pristine mintyness, then at the other copy (which is a rather sad and scruffy looking white labelled version prob. a demo but it doesn't say so? Perhaps it's just water damage?) and asked " Why do you say keep this one?"

" It's had a life" he says with that familiar twinkle in his eye, and I immediately knew he was right. Max and I agreed on many things, our one big difference was on the WDJ's versus stock copies debate. Max being originally a white demo man back in the day when it was almost all UK labels only, and me being (preferably black) issues, though neither of us followed it exclusively or even seriously, it was just something to banter over. We'd tease each other when we bought records in the others favoured format, you know the score, me saying " What you had that for, you could have had a beautiful issue for half that much, and you'll have to buy a new rubber to keep it gleaming white after every play". Him saying " As you've bought the white demo will you get the kids box of crayons out when you get it home to colour it in"

Anyway, being a good lad and doing what I was told I sold the clean copy, and then typically, a couple of months later it was fetching five times as much as I sold it for. When I pointed this out to him saying " This is why I hate selling records, I always do the wrong thing".

Quick as a flash he countered with a wink and " Ah but you kept the right one "...... ;-)

Another story I'd like to share is about Messrs B and T. Years later we were still getting asked about this, how it came about etc, so here's the tale -

Following his 20+ year hiatus he made his return to the scene in the late 90's and was to be found attending, and then later playing sets at, progressive non Oldies venues like Albrighton, where he mixed it up in true across the board style (X-Over, 70's and rare 60's) He loved the freedom of these sets but he felt that he'd never escape the formative years tunes he was so well known for, the Cats classics etc. Every so often he'd get asked to go play an Oldies set somewhere, and he rarely if ever refused, and never disappointed the dance floor. He got around it by asking for an early set at one Oldies nite (which clashed with Albrighton) that used to regularly ask him , so he could get up to Lea Manor by Eleven, in time for the main sets. Not daft our Max ! Had his cake and ate it. One nite he came into the Manor from this oldies nite asking if Dickie Wonder had ever been booted. When everyone said No, he proudly produced a nice mint one, telling us he'd got it from a box of boots at this Oldies nite. Best part was they were 3 for a fiver ! No wonder he was always smiling !

He did have a small hang up when he returned to DJ'ing on the scene around the time the great mass of returnees came back. He said that when some folk saw the name Blue Max on a flyer they expected him to play the tunes that were the big newies in the early 70's not the big newies of today, and he drew the comparison with me and 80's/Stafford era tunes. I felt that people should be able to work out the difference whether the flyer was advertising Blue Max doing a set at Goodyears' (which anyone with half a brain knew was going to be 99% Oldies) as opposed to seeing his name on a flyer for The Cross Keys Hednesford (where his set was obviously going to be 99% X-Over) Max being Max he'd accept the booking to go play early years Oldies, using his gifts to ram the floor, then he'd spend his DJ earnings buying more Rarities and Newies which really floated his boat.

Sorry, wandered off the story a little there. The style that later became known as Y2K and the whole Modden Soul/Nu-soul influence was growing on the rare soul scene as we approached the magic date on the calendar, and because of Max's record industry contacts he'd sometimes get exclusive tracks and rare mixes which were more dance floor friendly of these new releases. Although we both enjoyed including one or two of these new Y2K tunes in amongst the 60's/70's it was a lot easier to play them all together, doing them as a modern room set. A few months later, at the height of the very humorous pretend R'n'B versus Y2K fake war of words, Max and I were going through the passageway from the main room to the modern room and we had to pass all the record sellers as this voice popped up. In his lovely mix of mostly North West but with a faint scattering of Dudley accent, Dave Rimmer shouted after us " I suppose you pair are off in there to play that bloody horrible bumpy and thumpy music now" pointing towards the modern room.

Duly admonished we trudged away, tails well and truly between our legs at the thought of losing our membership cards to the rare 60's soul appreciation fellowship, having been outed as players of modern and the dreaded Y2K ( and if you believe this last part you'll believe anything :-)

Once behind the decks we were soon in the 2K groove, and whilst I'm not 100% sure after the passing of time, I'm fairly certain that it was me who came up with the idea of using Dave's taunt as an alter ego for our DJ'ing exploits on the dark side. Once we started to use the names Bumpy & Thumpy it gave us the chance to cut loose that nite, and the only problem came later, from the repeated questioning of the names. For the record I was Bumpy and Max was Thumpy, the reasons why I'll save for another day

I've kept just a few flyers over the years but I must confess to having a liking for the ones where it said Blue Max & JP in the pro 60's main room, but Bumpy & Thumpy in the modern room. Not exactly Superman and Clark Kent, but it kept us amused for a while.

Before I go. On thing Max used to like to trot out to any soulie who'd listen was how " These pair of bathplugs" ( or a word that sounded something like that)as he'd point at me and Ken. "They dragged me back on the scene. I was quite happy in my little shop, my years of Northern Soul behind me". Well we hardly dragged him, we did bully cajole him a bit, with nites of curry and tunes around Ken's house, but from that first nite back at Lea Manor, he loved it. Of course he didn't know the records, but somehow he did this thing, where every few tunes he'd say " I like this one, rare? how much ?". And do you know what, he instictively missed all the five pounders and picked out all the really rare tunes, some newies on their first or second spin. One thing he was adament about was that he wasn't going to start collecting again. Well within a couple of nites he'd got himself a little book, to write down all these new wants and the rest as they say is history. Northern Soul is Max, and for Max his-story is Northern Soul....

All these stories and thoughts aside, my favourite memories of Max wont be music related, it will be of him at my house with my kids. Both he and Ken became honorary Uncle's in my family and my kids love them both dearly, because of how they have been with them over the time that they've known them.

Invariably Max would always leave our house with the same saying " You Kids, be good for your Mom". I knew he meant ' You can play your Dad up as much as you like' :-)

When I told the family of Max's passing my son Will said " Max knew me from being a baby to being a young man". I answered " It's pretty similar to me, he knew me as a schoolkid, not even a teenager, right through to what today feels like a very old man".

God bless you Max, I hope you've got a while before I join you, so make a start on sorting out the best places up there for the post Niter Full English.

With extra mushrooms of course !

John Pugh

(mods- if this is too big should I put it in a blog?)

Brilliant post John, it'd be great to read your comments/thoughts/opinions/experiences on SS more often.

I can only echo what has been said by everyone on here. I'm totally gobsmacked and stunned. Certain people made me feel very welcome when I got back into the scene in the early '90's, no patronising or looking down their noses at me, even though these people knew so much about the music and the history and I knew very little, apart from what I liked. Max, Gary Holyman, Neil Rushton (who bravely let me DJ for him a few times at Trentham Gardens), John Pugh, Johnny Glover, Kenny Onions and others, you all eased me back into the scene and I feel honoured to be able to call you all friends. Rest in peace Max.

Jordi

[Steve Plumb]

We've had many exploits, funny and otherwise along the way, both from happily being "just punters" out for a night of great tunes and good company, to the other end of the scale, DJ'ing and Promoting. Max thoroughly enjoyed getting out and about, perhaps my fave from that period would be our jaunts up to Wigan for the Orwell nights. Yes of course the music was fabulous, with guests like Richard and Gavin, let alone the resident line up to die for, it was always gonna be, but honestly what made the nite my fave was because, at Max's insistence, we'd always stop off on the motorway home for a full English, with extra mushrooms of course. Over the years on the way home from venues far and near we tried all the different Motorway Service Stations, rating their abilities in the egg frying department and mushroom generosity. Between 3 and 6 in the morning you can get a strange mix of people working in these places, but Max could always charm them, especially the elderly women, into giving us a few more deep fried mushrooms!

John Pugh

Hi John

I was only thinking of this the other day after hearing the sad news about Max. The early Orwell years (before we put all our tents into one basket ) were indeed special and we did 'truly' think we could be a venue that played 60's Northern to Y2K Bumpy & Thumpy (and everything in between) in the one room. We were ultimately wrong but we had fun finding out! It's great to see you hold those nights in such high esteem

Bumpy & Thumpy were stars of those Orwell early years, for sure, as both supporters & DJ's and we thank you for that!

Hope to see you soon mate and thanks for sharing your memories so vividly with everyone

Cheers

Steve

[Neil Rushton]

with reference to any posts here mentioning paying tribute at your respective gigs: so it should be and of course, a minutes silence in his honour......can all you djs and promotors assure that happens this weekend...yes?

YOU MAY ALSO BE AWARE THAT ON JULY 10TH,NEIL RUSHTON IS STAGING THE CATS REUNION AT GREAT WYRLEY....36 YEARS SINCE IT SHUT ITS DOORS AND NOW ITS MOST LEGENDARY ASSET IS SILENT....HOW TRAGICALLY POIGNANT....SO

IN HONOUR OF MAX WILL EVERY SISTER AND BROTHER MAKE THIS DATE AS SPECIAL AS POSSIBLE, IN PARTICULAR ANYONE WHO WENT TO THE CATS AND HASNT FOR WHATEVER REASON, ATTENDED A REUNION BEFORE, NOWS THE TIME TO MAKE THE EFFORT AND SHOW YOUR APPRECIATION OF A TRULY GREAT GUY...I KNOW THAT WILL MAKE NEILS DAY.

----

On July 10 Wolverhampton Civic Society are erecting a blue plaque on the Temple Street premises that housed The Catacombs, paying tribute to its' role in making Wolverhampton such a hot bed for Northern Soul. I undersand that Max was due to say a few words and he would have absoloutely loved his beloved Catacombs finally getting some recognition. Am gutted that he will miss out on this.

Like Rob says I am running The Catacombs DJ reunion later that night at Great Wyrley FC, since it started some years back the reunion was always special for Max and brought back lots of memories to him about those magical days at The Cats.It didn't matter how many times he had heard Bob & Earl Band, Bob Relf, Johnny Sayles, Richard Temple, Epitome Of Sound,Saxie Russell, Dena Barnes and all those other Cats anthems, he would ALWAYS smile that smile of his when they came on and make some comment about the old days and the many "characters" who inhabited The Cats...."Do you remember the night when......." .

When I heard the sad news my first thought was to cancel the anniversary this year. Then Gail sent a text asking how Soulvation was going to pay tribute to Max, so have decided the night will be dedicated to Max and am going to ask a group of his friends/DJ colleagues to do Max's spot playing some of his favourite Cats records as "Friends Of Blue Max".

Maybe it would be a good idea to meet up and have a drink in memory of Max in Wolverhampton after the plaque unveiling....and I know Max would say if you do that have another one to also remember Alan S and Bob Crocker.

All the Best,

Neil

[Mormar44]

with reference to any posts here mentioning paying tribute at your respective gigs: so it should be and of course, a minutes silence in his honour......can all you djs and promotors assure that happens this weekend...yes?

When I heard the sad news my first thought was to cancel the anniversary this year. Then Gail sent a text asking how Soulvation was going to pay tribute to Max, so have decided the night will be dedicated to Max and am going to ask a group of his friends/DJ colleagues to do Max's spot playing some of his favourite Cats records as "Friends Of Blue Max".

All the Best,

Neil

I'm glad you are not cancelling the anniverasary Neil as I'm sure it's not what Max would have wanted.

I was in the same dilemma whether to cancel this Saturdays night at Burton Town Hall where Max was going to be our special guest DJ. Having spoken to a number of people I realised Max would have wanted us to go ahead and so instead we are having 2 of his close friends Harpo and Gary Holyman to guest in his memory.

Best regards

Mark

[Guest mark hanson]

Not sure if anyone has plugged this yet on here but there is a tribute page for Max on facebook

(R.I.P. Max Millward... A True Legend, you will be missed...)

with at present 795 members listed.

The link is https://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=131008250245750

Still in bits over this and have paid homage on the newspaper article listed on this facebook page.

I've also been running updates etc. on my facebook group 'Too Darn Northern Soulful' (link at the bottom of this message).

[Soulhustler]

Just a few words to keep everyone up to date with whats happening.

As is the way at these times things take a while to sort out, i know everyone is wondering when the funeral will be, all i can say at the moment is please be patient everything is moving forward and the date will be shouted from the rooftops when confirmed so we can give Max the send off he deserves.

One thing i would say is please keep the stories coming as the family are reading every one and i know its helping with with the healing process.

Its at times like this that you realize how supportive this soul family of ours is.

Ken & Claudette

[Guest matt tees]

Only found out last night and totally shocked and gutted to find this out. I grew up hearing of the Legend Blue Max and having the honour to talk to him much later was a blast!!! To work with him on many occasions was a sheer privilege. What was obvious to me was that he was indeed a real gent, who would gladly pass on his knowledge with such great enthusiam. Always a Massive smile!! and a BIG ambassador for the soul scene for so many years. He was like your DAD who would always guide you along life and make sure if you fell off he would be there to give you a hand-up. There was only ONE Max!! Take Care BIG Man!! So upset by this.

Edited June 2, 2010 by matt tees

[Daz Mc]

Some thing i always wondered but never asked where did the blue come from ?

Funny you should ask as i asked Max himself only about a month ago . He told me where he worked years ago ( i think it was a building site ?? ) there were 2 Max's , he used to call everyone blue....therefore he was nicknamed Blue Max.

[Hitsville Chalky]

One thing i would say is please keep the stories coming as the family are reading every one and i know its helping with with the healing process

I Know Mart as posted the Pictures on facebook from last years Children in Need Night , well early on in the night i asked a few if they have ever seen Max on the Dance floor and they said no I then went to Max and said when I'm DJING I'm getting you on the floor .. He said your joking cause of my knees , later on in the night I said Hey Max I've got £50 so far to get you Dancing .. his Face was was a picture what about my Knees I'm going away to New Zealand soon .. don't worry i said you will be ok if you can't go I will in your place ... .. he said No I can't do it .. Then he said sod it Ok I will do it but what Record shall i dance to .. as Max asked me a few time to sell my Joe Matthews on kool Kat so i thought of this ... Ye Ye Ye He Replied .. Never forget that time when he came on the Floor to the Cheers in total I think we raised £60 for getting him on the Floor and thats the type of guy Max was ! oh by the way he did end up Buying My Joe Matthews .. He played it at the last Jct 2 Sunday session and he put his Thumb up to me. Once again Thank you Max for the Great great and your Slogan was ....... " GOODTIMES" .

[Agentsmith]

thats an absolutely top idea that neil has had, especially for cats rats, many people we havent seen for years. get together after the dedication and have a drink before the trip to great wyrley. it probably hasnt gone un-noticed by many but there's a book in here as well as all the other tributes. so many stories to relate, max could read like a dictionary.

havent been to temple street for decades so it will be very poignant, solemn and spinetingling just standing where THAT BUILDING stood and HIS MUSIC rang out.

im sure you all agree that what wolverhampton c.s. are doing is a marvellous gesture that will cement the memories of max and his affinity with the city for all-time.

[Daz Mc]

One thing i would say is please keep the stories coming as the family are reading every one and i know its helping with with the healing process

I Know Mart as posted the Pictures on facebook from last years Children in Need Night , well early on in the night i asked a few if they have ever seen Max on the Dance floor and they said no I then went to Max and said when I'm DJING I'm getting you on the floor .. He said your joking cause of my knees , later on in the night I said Hey Max I've got £50 so far to get you Dancing .. his Face was was a picture what about my Knees I'm going away to New Zealand soon .. don't worry i said you will be ok if you can't go I will in your place ... .. he said No I can't do it .. Then he said sod it Ok I will do it but what Record shall i dance to .. as Max asked me a few time to sell my Joe Matthews on kool Kat so i thought of this ... Ye Ye Ye He Replied .. Never forget that time when he came on the Floor to the Cheers in total I think we raised £60 for getting him on the Floor and thats the type of guy Max was ! oh by the way he did end up Buying My Joe Matthews .. He played it at the last Jct 2 Sunday session and he put his Thumb up to me. Once again Thank you Max for the Great great and your Slogan was ....... " GOODTIMES" .

Remember it well , not a bad mover for his age as well.

[Guest Suzy]

Having gotton over the intial shock of our Friends passing we would just like to add a few thoughts about Max.

having promoted and Dj'd with him over many year's, one thing stood out to us what a wonderful human being Max was........

he was one of the first to show his support to us when Suzy was diagnosed with cancer in 2008, always concerned about her well being, one of the first things he would always ask me was....how's Suzy, wanting to know how she was doing and if there was anything he could do to help, this goes to show that it was'nt all about the soul with Max he truly cared about his friends and was always ready to support them in any way he could.

There are too many stories to tell about this wonderful man who touched so many people's lives, especially our's, Thank you our dear friend for all the memories that will stay with us no matter where we go, you will remain in our hearts and minds forever.

All that's left to say is Thank you for your Friendship, Thank you for your understanding, love and support, you will be so sadly missed by us both.

Condolences to your Family....R I P Max

Suzy & Phil xx

[mrs soul]

Even my kids who are 23 and now 25 years olds said , MAX MILLWARD from the shop in wednesfield ! and are shocked and moved as they have fond memories well if you can call em that ,as woody apparently used to drag them both there when they was little rogues as they both were instead of doin the errands I had sent him to do, Tom my eldest can remember many Saturday afternoons in the shop with his dad woody,I can just imagine um running around making lots of noise whilst dad was busy chatting and looking at records no doubt, and I only found out this info out yesterday ! theres two generations who knew him, how can one man have that impact, incredible really and that is exactly what will be missed on this soul scene, you dint get characters like Max any more, they did break the mold when he was made!

R.I.P soul father.

[Guest mark hanson]

Just a few words to keep everyone up to date with whats happening.

As is the way at these times things take a while to sort out, i know everyone is wondering when the funeral will be, all i can say at the moment is please be patient everything is moving forward and the date will be shouted from the rooftops when confirmed so we can give Max the send off he deserves.

One thing i would say is please keep the stories coming as the family are reading every one and i know its helping with with the healing process.

Its at times like this that you realize how supportive this soul family of ours is.

Ken & Claudette

I'll have to agree Ken.

Most of you Wolves lot especially mate.

I hope it's helping you too my friend and John.

What a shitty thing to happen is all that is going round in my head.

I just remembered selling Max my Atlantic Demo of Ace Spectrum for a fiver at Albrighton when people were charging 40 plus cause Bob Hinsley was playing it.

I asked him about it at the last Lifeline I went too and he said he still had it.

Not many other dj's will claim to still have records a damn sight rarer than Ace Spectrum I sold them for a bargain price.

In fact I bet I could count the number on one hand.

Mark:huh:

[Hitsville Chalky]

WE HAVE JUST READ THIS AND OUR HEARTS HAVE SANK, WE ARE TOTALLY SPEECHLESS...

THIS MAN WAS A COMPLETE LEGEND AND TO MANY IN THE MIDLANDS, JUST LIKE ME, HE WAS LIKE A DAD YOU ALWAYS WISHED YOU HAD.

HE WAS THE FIRST DJ I GREW UP WORSHIPPING AT THE CATS...HE WAS AHEAD OF HIS TIME IN MANY WAYS AND HE SURVIVED WHEN OTHERS MOVED ON.

MAY AND I ARE TOTALLY HEARTBROKEN........OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHIES GO OUT TO HIS FAMILY, ESPECIALLY HIS WIFE LINDA

GOD BLESS AND TAKE CARE OF YOU MAX

Bang On

[Hitsville Chalky]

One thing i would say is please keep the stories coming as the family are reading every one and i know its helping with with the healing process

I Know Mart as posted the Pictures on facebook from last years Children in Need Night , well early on in the night i asked a few if they have ever seen Max on the Dance floor and they said no I then went to Max and said when I'm DJING I'm getting you on the floor .. He said your joking cause of my knees , later on in the night I said Hey Max I've got £50 so far to get you Dancing .. his Face was was a picture what about my Knees I'm going away to New Zealand soon .. don't worry i said you will be ok if you can't go I will in your place ... .. he said No I can't do it .. Then he said sod it Ok I will do it but what Record shall i dance to .. as Max asked me a few time to sell my Joe Matthews on kool Kat so i thought of this ... Ye Ye Ye He Replied .. Never forget that time when he came on the Floor to the Cheers in total I think we raised £60 for getting him on the Floor and thats the type of guy Max was ! oh by the way he did end up Buying My Joe Matthews .. He played it at the last Jct 2 Sunday session and he put his Thumb up to me. Once again Thank you Max for the Great great and your Slogan was ....... " GOODTIMES" .

reading this back over and over .. it's really sank into night what this really Means .... Max as gone and i will never like most on this thread will never see him or work or DJ him again and to me this as broken my heart more tonight , I Used to phone him up .. hey Max What you doing on such a date .. Nothing so far .. Right I'm trying this ..you know I don't do that well but least i try .. Chalk's it's about the trying That Count's he used to say ..count me in . One other thing I've learnt on this sad Moment .. No matter how much Banter .... or friendship we have on The Northern soul Scene we all are one Big Family and I'm proud of that .. Blue max was the Dad in the West Midlands .

[Ficklefingers]

I didn't know Max well - only having met him in person for the first time just under three years ago. His reputation and respect, though, I had been aware of since first starting on this beloved music scene of ours..

Within 6 months of my first 'niter I was bitten by the vinyl bug and started to take greater interest in the artists & labels of the wonderful Soul 45's I was hearing week in week out. Having heard a 'brilliant tune' one night I enquired of my elder brother (Ada, and the person responsible for getting me into the music & taking me to my first 'niter..) as to who/what it was. 'Lou Pride - I'm Cumin' Home In the Morning' was the response, along with 'A DJ from from the Cat's found it.. Blue Max' !!

From then on his name was engraved in my brain and my respect for him grew ever greater over the years the more I heard about him, his little shop in the west midlands, and the 'new' tunes he was renowned for 'discovering' over the years - even though, in a lot of cases (Lou Pride being just one..), other 'DJ's' went on to be acclaimed with 'breaking' several of Max's discoveries.

I feel very privileged indeed - even if only for a short time - to have got to meet The Legend himself, to have indulged in the many conversations we had and, most of all, to be able to say how proud I am to have known him.

R.I.P. Max

Your Soul may well rest, now, in heaven.. But your legacy will stay on this mortal earth forever !!

Fingers

[Pauldonnelly]

Rang Max up and said

"you going to the Attic to listen to Ted Massey"

"yeah"

"right I'll be in West Brom in the afternoon what's you adress and I'll catch a taxi"

"leave it with me I need to ring a friend"

ten mins later he rings me back.

"all sorted me best mate will be waiting for you, Sam Parkes behind MacDonalds opp the Hawthorns be there at 5pm and he'll bring you here, his mobile no is..."

"cheer Max, I owe ya an orange juice"

Two days later I thought I'd better ring the fellar up and ask if we both need to wear pink carnations etc..

" hello is that Sam Parkes?"

"no"

"sorry mate"

rings again

" hello is that Sam Parkes?"

"no"

"sorry mate I must have the wrong number"

rings up Max

"you've given me the wrong number you daft ole tw*t"

"ere it is again"

" "thats the number Iv'e got, I ask hello is that Sam Parkes, and he say's no!!!"

30 secs of :yes: from Max followed by

"Sam PARKS his car behind Macdonalds"

Cya PD

Edited June 3, 2010 by PaulDonnelly

[Guest ian e]

I will forever be grateful to Max,for the support and help and guidance on,music,records and his never ending help with CHILDREN IN NEED,as Chalky said what a night seeing Max dance quality moment,have the photograph as well to prove it,and the result he made more charity money,who else could do that.

A legend,a great bloke and a great ambassador for THE BLACK COUNRTY and SOUL in general,WEDNESFIELD lost a great little shop,Sunday we all lost a wonderful friend.

CHILDREN IN NEED 2010,will have no MAX,so SCOTTY will play alone,I have done this for two reasons,1.ULTIMATE RESPECT,2.YOU CANNOT REPLACE THE IRREPLACEABLE.

God bless your family and GOD BLESS MAX,R.IP

Love

Ian and Mary Edwards xx

[Neil Rushton]

Just had Gaz Lees on the phone - he is going on to the BBC Radio West Midlands Soul & Motown show tomorrow night at 8pm to talk about what Max has been up to in recent years,and I have been asked to go along to contribute about Max and his days at The Catacombs.

[Soulsaddler]

I will forever be grateful to Max,for the support and help and guidance on,music,records and his never ending help with CHILDREN IN NEED,as Chalky said what a night seeing Max dance quality moment,have the photograph as well to prove it,and the result he made more charity money,who else could do that.

A legend,a great bloke and a great ambassador for THE BLACK COUNRTY and SOUL in general,WEDNESFIELD lost a great little shop,Sunday we all lost a wonderful friend.

CHILDREN IN NEED 2010,will have no MAX,so SCOTTY will play alone,I have done this for two reasons,1.ULTIMATE RESPECT,2.YOU CANNOT REPLACE THE IRREPLACEABLE.

God bless your family and GOD BLESS MAX,R.IP

Love

Ian and Mary Edwards xx

Yes, I stood and watched Max dance that night - brilliant stuff.

Two nights later at The Torch Reunion I was standing at the top of the stairs waiting for Max to come up (never pass on the stairs).

"Come on, Max" I shouted down, "I know you can do it, I saw you dance the other night!"

A big grin spread across his face and he almost ran up the stairs.

Top Bloke

RIP Max

[Jellybean]

I will never forget my first guest spot,it was at New Voice soul club in Nottingham 2 years ago,Max said he'd like to come and support me,but that it was a bit too far to travel for him.Must admit I was hoping he'd come but I told him I understood and he wished me good luck.Anyway me,Mart and our mate Tom got to the venue,the music was playing,but hardly anyone there as it was only just 8pm.I was feeling a bit nervous because like I said it was first guest spot and thought I'll just put my playbox up on the stage,when I heard a voice beside me say "do you want a hand with that" I looked and there stood Max,he'd turned up after all,Can't tell you how pleased I was to see him,I flung my arms around him and he said "well I had to come & support you didn't I" I felt so honoured & priveleged to have Max there with me bless him,he'd also bought his mate Sam Nicholls with him,whom I've also grown very fond of.From then on my nervousness just seemed to dissappear and we all had a great night.A lasting memory with Max I will treasure forever!! xxxx

Just wanted to add this,Max asked if i'd like to choose a record to play in my set from his sales box and I chose this one.

JB xxx

07 - Baby Huey - Just Being Careful.mp3

07 - Baby Huey - Just Being Careful.mp3

07 - Baby Huey - Just Being Careful.mp3

Edited June 5, 2010 by JELLYBEAN