Great Idea For A Book - Manchester

[Derek Pearson]

Now that I'm a second generation Manc, alright I'm in Stockport if you wanna be real picky I sorta consider myself a manc with a better accent. I'd love to know more about the soul club scene going back through the decades. Anyway I had a great idea for a book last week whilst out driving -

"The History Of Black Music In Manchester".

You could start with the illegal shebeens in Moss Side throughout the fifties, moving into the Twisted Wheel in the sixties. You had the flourishing jazz funk and northern venues throughout the seventies, you had the all-dayers all over the city. It just went on and on. Just think of all the fascinating stories, places, people & venues that had gone on over the years.

Yeah Manchester can truly claim to be the centre of the northern scene in the UK. Thats where all the action is.

derek

[Guest Soultown andy]

That would make a good read derek,and when you think that the wheel is still packin em in plus,prestwich, lowton, bury, town hall, stockport town hall,middleton,

cis[now in the ukrainian club]and now soul or nothing are all going well,and i can think of at least another 10 smaller clubs running monthly all within 15 mins of the city center.It puts it into prospective that manchaster is still at the fore front of the scene.

[lds]

That would make a good read derek,and when you think that the wheel is still packin em in plus,prestwich, lowton, bury, town hall, stockport town hall,middleton,

cis[now in the ukrainian club]and now soul or nothing are all going well,and i can think of at least another 10 smaller clubs running monthly all within 15 mins of the city center.It puts it into prospective that manchaster is still at the fore front of the scene.

link

Coudn't agree more, and when this book is a sell out, you could do "The History Of Black Music In ...........". other cities / towns around britain, and before yu know it you're richer that J K Rowling. Then take it international.................

[Mark B]

the two most famous infamous shabeen's/clubs were the Reno club nd the Nile club these were on the corner of moss lane and princess rd in moss side these were the most prominent and on show but iam sure there were many more underground (cellars) that were not seen. only ever went into the reno once was enough.

i think you would need to talk to some of the older afro caribeans to find out about these.

it has the makings of a good book why not give it a go derek.

mark

[Citizen P]

Could be very interesting. but if you expanded it into a history of the Club Scene in Manchester .which from the early sixties onwards had "nightlife" to rival London,

so much so that Krays fancied a bit, but they got sent home by the Quality Street Gang (must be a film in that somewhere).

The Clubs and "characters" are legendary, I know it's been tried before, but not in detail.

Go for it lad.

Tony

[jazzyjas]

I LOVE this idea Derek. Do it!

I also think a lot of people will definitely buy it too.

KTF

Jas

[Jumpinjoan]

DO IT FELLA!!

It may have been done before ..... but not from the prospective of the soul scene.

I think you're onto a winner ..... forget Richard and Judy ..... Oprah's book club for you my boy!

[Jumpinjoan]

The sooner the better too eh Derek ...... there are a few that are that old ..... if you want their input....... you'd better get a move on!!!

Only messin everyone...

[Guest Soultown andy]

I have the book that tonys on about,its more about the clubs and beat groups in manchester in the sixties,cant remember the title will dig it out later.

[Guest Bearsoul]

Could be very interesting. but if you expanded it into a history of the Club Scene in Manchester .which from the early sixties onwards had "nightlife" to rival London,

so much so that Krays fancied a bit, but they got sent home by the Quality Street Gang (must be a film in that somewhere).

The Clubs and "characters" are legendary, I know it's been tried before, but not in detail.

Go for it lad.

Tony

link

THE QSG SOME STILL ABOUT,SOME IN SPAIN. DEFINITELY A BOOK THERE !!

[Derek Pearson]

Could be very interesting. but if you expanded it into a history of the Club Scene in Manchester .which from the early sixties onwards had "nightlife" to rival London,

Tony

link

Hey I said I had a good idea for a book I didnt say I could write it hehehehe.

Was listening to something on the radio earlier this week, can't recall what it was about but the jist of it was because of the problems in Manchester's thriving nightlife during the sixties they actually changed the laws and clamped down on pubs & clubs. I immediately thought drugs and all night clubs. Well you would wouldn't you.

Because the Twisted Wheel was such a massive iconic club of its time thats why it attracted so much heat from the authorities. However I've been told lots of people went to the Wheel simply because it was daring and different to stop out all night in a club. Think how rebellious that must have been in the sixties. They might not have been into the music or drugs just out for a laugh. The parallel to that is I personally took many people to Wigan Casino who werent into music or drugs but just wanted to go to see what all the fuss was about.

Was the Wheel the only allnight club in Manchester at the time or were there loads on the go untill the police stepped in? Think I'll have to visit the library...

derek

Oh and was the Wheel the place where nice people didnt go?

[Guest musicden786]

Hey I said I had a good idea for a book I didnt say I could write it hehehehe.

Was listening to something on the radio earlier this week, can't recall what it was about but the jist of it was because of the problems in Manchester's thriving nightlife during the sixties they actually changed the laws and clamped down on pubs & clubs. I immediately thought drugs and all night clubs. Well you would wouldn't you.

Because the Twisted Wheel was such a massive iconic club of its time thats why it attracted so much heat from the authorities. However I've been told lots of people went to the Wheel simply because it was daring and different to stop out all night in a club. Think how rebellious that must have been in the sixties. They might not have been into the music or drugs just out for a laugh. The parallel to that is I personally took many people to Wigan Casino who werent into music or drugs but just wanted to go to see what all the fuss was about.

Was the Wheel the only allnight club in Manchester at the time or were there loads on the go untill the police stepped in? Think I'll have to visit the library...

derek

Oh and was the Wheel the place where nice people didnt go?

link

Very interesting topic this. Hope it keeps going for a while.

There was a film made a long time ago called LIGHT IN THE CITY. Stanley Baker. A follow up was planned but never made it onto film as funding could not be found. The theme for both films was Crime and Night Life in Manchester. The research material for the follow up film still exists. Ivor Abadi and Edwin Starr both contributed.

The Nile Club was, white people by invitation. Some fantastic music played at this establishment. But thats another story.

I hope that anybody writing a book about the late fifties and early,mid and late sixties in relation to Northern music takes the time to get the facts bang on.

If I can help in any way please get in touch.

Denis.

[Citizen P]

THE QSG  SOME STILL ABOUT,SOME IN SPAIN. DEFINITELY A BOOK THERE !! 

link

Deffo, and also a song of course,

The Boy's Are Back In Town-Thin Lizzy is an allegedly thinly veiled "trbute"

Tony

[Citizen P]

Sorry for slipping the thread a bit.

Gangsters and Nightlife is another story entirely.

Or is It????

Tony

[Guest garv]

There`s book called " Manchester, England" by Dave Haslam...........published by 4th estate books.

Ive got this & it gives a social & political History/story of the rise of Manchester, there`s all sorts of accounts from Gangters/club owners to politicains.

it covers Manchester from the industrail revolution to the present day, All the clubs , gangs & music & famous/infamous are in this plus a social history of why Manchester was the richest place on earth during the the 18 century to the decline in the 70`s & how ordinary folks got there kicks.

Really good read........ not based on Soul but there`s a lot of name checks for clubs & dj`s .

Garv.

[Guest Bearsoul]

Deffo, and also a song of course,

The Boy's Are Back In Town-Thin Lizzy is an allegedly thinly veiled "trbute"

Tony

link

DIDN'T KNOW THAT. MAYBE THIS BOOK SHOULD BE A COMMITEE /COMBINED EFFORT. WHO'S WILLING TO KICK IT OFF. DENIS HAS ALREADY OFFERED HELP. I AGREE THE MUSIC/CLUBS SHOULD BE THE MAIN FOCUS YET IT'S ALWAYS BEEN INEXTRICABLY LINKED WITH THE UNDERWORLD (FOR WANT OF A BETTER WORD}.

YOU'VE STARTED SOMETHING HERE DEREK !!!!

CHRIS