Leeds Central

[Soul Stu]

Yes lol

[Northern Soul Uk]

Tickets now on sale!!

Here is the ticket link for the Leeds Central Reunion tickets.

Leeds Central Reunion Tickets

Although you will end up paying a little more for a ticket, you are guaranteed entry whereas waiting and paying on the door you are not.

I suggest anyone who has an original membership card, get in touch with me for a half price ticket on proof of possession of card.

Edited April 10, 2011 by steveluigi

[Petedillon]

Just another taster for the upcomig event at the Central..a flyer from the early days of the allnighters..

[Northern Soul Uk]

That'll be the next one on the cards if I can get a date, and of course depending on the support on the 1st May

[Northern Soul Uk]

Just another taster for the upcomig event at the Central..a flyer from the early days of the allnighters..

Pete, sorry for my ignorance, but why does it say 'central No2' on the flyer, does that pertain to the building number??

[Northern Soul Uk]

Tickets now on sale!!

Here is the ticket link for the Leeds Central Reunion tickets.

Leeds Central Reunion Tickets

Although you will end up paying a little more for a ticket, you are guaranteed entry whereas waiting and paying on the door you are not.

I suggest anyone who has an original membership card, get in touch with me for a half price ticket on proof of possession of card.

[Petedillon]

Pete, sorry for my ignorance, but why does it say 'central No2' on the flyer, does that pertain to the building number??

the number 2 bit refers to the soul club side , the other part, presumably number 1 club, was the ballroom dancing nights that Joan & Derek ran. It was later dropped to just be called Central Soul Club.. But early on it was Central No.2. Although the building number being No.2 is just a coincidence I think.

Edited April 10, 2011 by PeteDillon

[Northern Soul Uk]

the number 2 bit refers to the soul club side , the other part, presumably number 1 club, was the ballroom dancing nights that Joan & Derek ran. It was later dropped to just be called Central Soul Club.. But early on it was Central No.2. Although the building number being No.2 is just a coincidence I think.

Ah cool Pete, was just on the phone to Paul Rowan, Jeez!! we spoke til' the credit ran out on HIS phone this time, over 2 hours. That fellah has some top stories.

Telling me about when he went over to the states with 2 of his mates and they had been let into a warehouse above a bowling alley, that was crammed full of records. He found loads of 7s and an album that was all Jackie Wilson tracks with the same backing tracks, but a different singer, female, wouldn't tell me who the singer was though cos he's covered it up.

Great guy and looking forward to seeing (and hearing) him on the 1st.

[Guest]

Ah cool Pete, was just on the phone to Paul Rowan, Jeez!! we spoke til' the credit ran out on HIS phone this time, over 2 hours. That fellah has some top stories.

Telling me about when he went over to the states with 2 of his mates and they had been let into a warehouse above a bowling alley, that was crammed full of records. He found loads of 7s and an album that was all Jackie Wilson tracks with the same backing tracks, but a different singer, female, wouldn't tell me who the singer was though cos he's covered it up.

Great guy and looking forward to seeing (and hearing) him on the 1st.

He also has the backing track of " I Get The Sweetest Feeling " .........

Malc

Edited April 11, 2011 by Malc Burton

[Northern Soul Uk]

Just a few of the comments about the 'Central Reunion'

We had a great day at Central , came up from Nottingham on Saturday stayed till Monday what a brill week-end , met up with some old friends ............KTF

bloody fantastic day, best music ive heard in long time,consistant ,couldnt sit down, some of the best soulies there, the best sunday of soul, since Oldham , brilliant!!!!!we will be back

Yes we all had a top day...so pleased for you and that it was a packer

fuckin top do carn't say any more luved it bring on the nxt 1

thankyou was a fantastic day x

seriously top dayer. Awesome 1st set to start off with. Place was buzzin :-)

a brilliant day all round , and a credit to Steve Luigi for staging it

[Mike]

have moved all the "pre-event" talk posts to the actual event thread

have moved this back to yesterdays

ask use this thread for talking about the past venue etc

and use the lookback thread for talking about the just gone event

ok can understand how ended up with two threads

however do ask that in future try and avoid this by using the event one for event talk

thanks

note to all members.....

if any time you do find yourself posting identical posts in different threads then stop asp!

as something is obviously going wrong!

[Northern Soul Uk]

Can't believe I just found these after all these years.

An original 'Central' membership card, but what makes it special is that I had it signed on the back by no other than 'Gladys Knight and the pips'

when I went to see them at Sheffield theatre club in the 70s.

Also found my Cleethorpes card and a Torch flyer.

[Northern Soul Uk]

Next Alldayer Sunday August 7th 2011.

Central Alldayer Event Page

[Soul Stu]

Hi Pete

Looking forward to the Central

Image from the old days Sammy from Selby and Mouse from Bradford and me on the right

Keep the Faith

[Petedillon]

Yes, now Ive got Sammy!!! I remembered the name but couldnt put a face to it..brilliant. Looking forward to seeing you all again. Going to Drax on friday, my mate Mick Eastwood has arranged to meet up with Aidy Dundas there. Not seen him for god knows how long.

[Guest topcatnumpty1]

Rani and T.C. Should be at Drax also ,Mr.Dillon see ya there

T.C

[Louis]

Leeds central was my first ever allnighter in the early seventies. Think I did Elland road first, standing on the Gelderd end with a small record box, then to relatives for tea in Tadcaster. Went to the wharfedale in Tadcaster first and caught last bus to Leeds. I hitch hiked form Preston once to get there and it took me and my mate 2 hours to get to Leeds then 12 hours the following morning to get back.

remember walking down and "walk like a man" was playing.

Very happy days and a wonderful venue.

Nice to see Cockney Steve on the reunion photo's..........He still owes my about 12 pints :-)

Love Leeds Hate Ken bates

Louis

[Trev Thomas]

Leeds central was my first ever allnighter in the early seventies. Think I did Elland road first, standing on the Gelderd end with a small record box, then to relatives for tea in Tadcaster. Went to the wharfedale in Tadcaster first and caught last bus to Leeds. I hitch hiked form Preston once to get there and it took me and my mate 2 hours to get to Leeds then 12 hours the following morning to get back.

remember walking down and "walk like a man" was playing.

Very happy days and a wonderful venue.

Nice to see Cockney Steve on the reunion photo's..........He still owes my about 12 pints :-)

Love Leeds Hate Ken bates

Louis

you've got more chance of shagging the pope, than getting a pint out of steve

[Petedillon]

haha...Cockney Steve buying beer!!! Tell you what, he bought me one at the last Central! Louis, on the Geldard with a box of 45's in the 70's..brave man..

Looking forward to the next one. TC see you at Drax,

[Naughty Boy]

you've got more chance of shagging the pope, than getting a pint out of steve

:lol: indeed he has

[Louis]

After writing yesterday I started thinking about Jumbo records. Always used to visit on my trips to Leeds. Not 100 per cent, but thought it was in the Queens arcade? Also think it used to be on the ground floor and then moved to the first floor.

Two records I remember purchasing their was;

Surprise party for baby, they used to have a box on the counter with reduced prices. Think I paid 70p.

The other one was advertised on the back wall as Leeds Central secret sound uncovered and available. Watson T Browne "What can I say" on blue pye.

Louis

[Petedillon]

Yes it was on the balcony of Queens Arcade. It originally was in the Merrion Centre at the back of a camera shop, then moved to the balcony of the arcade. then moved to a ground floor arcade at the back of the Merion Centre before finally settling in its present situation on the balcony of the St Johns Centre.

From its early days, it was a source of soul vinyl for everybody in the Leeds area, along with Bostocks for a short while.

Watson T Brown!! first heard that at VaVa one night

[Soul Stu]

Yes, now Ive got Sammy!!! I remembered the name but couldnt put a face to it..brilliant. Looking forward to seeing you all again. Going to Drax on friday, my mate Mick Eastwood has arranged to meet up with Aidy Dundas there. Not seen him for god knows how long.

Hi Aidy has not changed think Sammy's going to Drax see you there mate.

On the record shop talk I used to go through on a Wednesday to Jumbos remember having a Billy Harner What About The Music Instrumental and putting it back because the vocals were missing lol. Also remember Simon Soussan ranting on about his favorite record at that time the Incredibles There's Nothing Else To Say. It just happened to be my favorite and I had just go the record at the Junction Crew the week before so we ranted on about records with him for ages.

The real gold mine for records was Bradford market just undeliverable all the stuff on Verve and M.G.M

Great days

[Petedillon]

Top night tonight at Drax, Stu. It really is a cracking atmosphere.

Great to see you and Aidy again..

Look forward to seeing you both at the Central too

Pete

[Soul Stu]

Hi Pete

Getting more and more like the old days right people right place

[chrism]

HI PETE,

I wont say the memories are flooding back but some things i keep recalling about the Central. If memory serves me correctly do you remember the time probably around mid 1971 when the Central nearly closed its doors for good.

I recall being down there one friday night when there was only about a dozen of us in there. Joan and Derek were going back and forth between Len Caves office and it was unusual that Len was in that early anyway. The upshot of it all was that the ballroom evenings, like the soul nights, were dwindling in numbers and as a result the club was suffering financialy. Joan called a few of us for a chat and explained the club may close. From that night on i believe we all more or less took over the paid jobs in the club, obviously doing them for nothing. Tony jackson,Keith Atkinson and others dj'd and we all gave a hand serving behind the bar and on the door. Well we did regard it as our club and wanted it to stay open.

Yourself, Mick,Chris,Dave,Tony,Keith and myself managed to persuade some new faces to attend including some new people off the street and the club started to pick up again. About this time some of us started going to the Torch and got into buying records to take back and play at the Central. A great discovery at this time was the legendary record stall on Bradford market which helped put the Central well and truly on the musical map as many off the finds here were also being played at the Torch.

By 72' the club was again well and truly vibrant again and people were travelling from far and wide including regular coachloads from Newton Aycliffe. The dj rosta had changed as well with the addition of the likes of Swish, Tony Banks and various guests to be followed later by Steve Luigi, Twink and some guy called Ian Dewhirst .

The great thing in all this was that nearly all those guys are still around and great friends. Genuine people who built a comeradery around soul music and a very special club in which they could listen, socialise and meet new friends. :yes: .

Pete this is a great thread to indulge in a bit of history and many stories yet to surface so come on everyone who went lets hear some more.

ROY

[Northern Soul Uk]

Next weeks Xmas do!

Get there early, cut off point 300-350 depending on how it looks, this is to attempt to leave room to dance :-)

[Funky 4 Corners]

I have been racking my memory about a name that has now come up - Mick Eastwood. In '69 I moved to Manchester and around '70 I got to know Mick and another lad who used to go over from Leeds.

RE Leeds Central. I think around 1980 but could be later, I came across a guy with a record stall on Maidstone market. Now Maidstone is not renown for Soul and so I was taken aback to see his stock of choice Soul stuff, some quite rare. He was with his young son and he turned out to be a DJ from the Central who had moved to Folkstone, with his job with Saga. I did know his name but can't recall now.

[Petedillon]

Keith, Micks ex-BeeGee, Wheel etc..posts on here and now djs at the Central reunion do's..It may have been Twink , I know he moved down south many years ago first name Ian...

[Northern Soul Uk]

Keith, Micks ex-BeeGee, Wheel etc..posts on here and now djs at the Central reunion do's..It may have been Twink , I know he moved down south many years ago first name Ian...

Yes Twink! Ian Bottomley his real name or maybe it could have been Paul Rowan?? He lives daan saaaff

[Ian Dewhirst]

RE Leeds Central. I think around 1980 but could be later, I came across a guy with a record stall on Maidstone market. Now Maidstone is not renown for Soul and so I was taken aback to see his stock of choice Soul stuff, some quite rare. He was with his young son and he turned out to be a DJ from the Central who had moved to Folkstone, with his job with Saga. I did know his name but can't recall now.

Paul Schofield. He used to do Friday nights when it was Jazz-Funk. The first French Fries came from his collection......

Ian D

[Northern Soul Uk]

I wonder if any of the regulars at the Central remember my 21st birthday down there, and I was presented with a stunning birthday cake with the Central badge iced on top. Fantastic! I also seem to remember having a whiskey for every year I'd lived and drunk myself sober, stopped drinking altogether after that and haven't touched a drop since.

[Northern Soul Uk]

Set times for Xmas Alldayer 2012

December 23rd - 1pm-9pm

All original 'Central' DJs as usual playing all original 'Central' sounds!

Dennis Billingham - 1-1.45,

Mike Eastwood - 1.45-2.30,

Keith Atkinson 2.30-3.15

Tony Jackson - 3.15-4,

Chris Mallows 4-5

Steve Luigi - 5-6,

Swish - 6-7,

Paul Rowan - 7-8,

Twink - 8-9.

As stated above, as you know it's a small club in comparison, so I am having a

cut off point at 300-350 depending on how it's looking.

This is to make sure that there is plenty of dancing room.

Edited December 20, 2012 by Steve Luigi

[Funky 4 Corners]

Paul Schofield is the man I'm sure, nice bloke I recall. Certainly not Paul Rowan who I knew from Wakefield in the 60s. We used to hang around a coffee bar in Wood Street called the Shrove Bar. Did any of you guys go to the Intro Discotheque at Morley Town Hall, I may be wrong but I have vague recollections of Sharon Tandy live there?

Another venue mentioned on here a while back was the Boulevard at Tadcaster, rather typical of the way the scene developed towards the end of the 60s I saw Jimmy James & the Vagabonds on the same bill as Elmer Gantry's Velvet Opera.

A memorable night was in '65 a `Mod Ball` at the Queens Hall with the Who and the Outer Limits. Again, it's a bit hazy but I think I also saw the Crazy World of Arthur Brown there too. I guess that now a days we look back and tend to compartmentalise the records, clothes, people etc but I recall that the dance floor at the Spinning Disc for example would stay packed to such diverse sounds as the Folks Brothers, `Carolina`and Tommy James & Shondells, `Mony Mony` along James & Bobby Purify, `Let Love Come Between Us`.

There hasn't been much mention on the New Mecca, we used to go on Monday nights if I recall, which was the Soul night, Cliff Nobles, `The Horse` was a big record at the time.

[Funky 4 Corners]

[Roburt]

Some good East Yorkshire sleeves there ...........

I used to be a regular in Hull for a few years from the middle to the end of the 60's. Bought quite a few bits at Sydney Scarborough's + a few more places in the city centre & on Holderness Rd. The 2nd hand shops up Beverley Rd were also good for UK & Euro soul 45's (the Uni was up that way & skint students used to sell their 45's to buy food at the end of term + with Hull docks being a thriving port back the,n records came in on the boats from Germany & the like).

The Skyline Ballroom (top floor of the Co-op Dept Store) had good acts on (UK & US soul outfits) until it was transformed into a night club (when the likes of the Flirtations & Fantastics would be on with all the usual pop acts). Also had 3/4 decent clubs; Discotheque on Whitefairgate (they had the odd soul niter there), the Gondola, Intercon (in the 70's) and a place next to the river in Witham (can't recall the name of it though). My mate, Steve Mercer DJ'ed at the last two clubs.

There was a good club in Grimsby that I seem to recall was mentioned on a SS thread a while back. Spent much of summer 66 in there.

They also had a decent soul club in Goole & in Brid (the Jungle -- down on the harbour) back around 1967 ....

... & a couple of decent ones in Scarboro (in the 70's).

Edited December 20, 2012 by Roburt

[Petedillon]

dont remember that Mod Ball Keith a bit before my time mate if it was 1965. Monday nights at the Mew Mecca were good for a while before getting very poppy..I found this ad..it may be of interest to you..its very early and makes no mention of soul music particularly but I think its interesting

[Easty]

Wonderful "listening" to all the remeniscences of the the youngsters on the Leeds Northern scene. As one of the Bee Gee crowd who became the Wheel and Northern crowd I can remember quite a few fresh faced young lads appearing on the scene at the back end of the Wheel era. There was an "earning your spurs" element to acceptance, it was amazing how a few years age difference seemed like a lifetime but here we are forty years on all with great memories of the scene and the Central in particular. I remeber when the nighters started I worked there doing anything Joan wanted, door, bar, cloakroom, as long as it got me in for free. I can remember being asked to clean the gents bog one Sunday morning,I have to say after a shedload of gear the night before I had all on to hang on to the limited contents of my stomach.And having heard mention of Swish earlier in the thread, he only found out how he got his nickname from me about a year ago at the Central. Any guesses as to how can be posted before I reveal all.

[Roburt]

Seems Yorkshire soul folk thought alike back in the mid 60's.

When the Mojo went from niters to Sunday alldayers in mid 67, the age of the crowd dropped.

Us 'old-heads' used to moan all the time about all the 'mini-mods' spoiling our club.

BTW, this was a similar do to the one Keith referred to (an alldayer staged by Stringfellow in Leeds on June 3rd 1968) .....

Edited December 22, 2012 by Roburt

[hullsoul]

All before my time of course

Some good East Yorkshire sleeves there ...........

I used to be a regular in Hull for a few years from the middle to the end of the 60's. Bought quite a few bits at Sydney Scarborough's....Was good for northern through the 70t's too,guy behind the desk had a great collection (can't remember his name) + a few more places in the city centre & on Holderness Rd........That could be Regis Records,still there up until a few years back.Bought my First Choice-This Is The House Scepter before I'd ever heard it out.

The 2nd hand shops up Beverley Rd were also good for UK & Euro soul 45's Sheridan's used to be the good second hand place in the 70t's,got a few British bits out of there.

(the Uni was up that way & skint students used to sell their 45's to buy food at the end of term + with Hull docks being a thriving port back the,n records came in on the boats from Germany & the like).

Witham (can't recall the name of it though). My mate, Steve Mercer DJ'ed at the last two clubs.

That would be "Moving Scene".The coincidence was when I started Hull Soul Club up that was our first venue,the strange world & all that.Think Geoff Ede also djed there?I bought some of his stuff when he sold up in the 70t's,he was big mates with my other brother Ian."Moving Scene" was a big haunt of our Mike,Ian & all there mates.

Cheers

Martyn......the youngest Bird

[Roburt]

a few more places in the city centre & on Holderness Rd........That could be Regis Records

....... it was Regis Records; got loads of 45's from there between 1966 & 1970.

That would be "Moving Scene"."Moving Scene" was a big haunt of our Mike,Ian & all there mates.

Yep, that was it and I was one of your Mike's mates (along with Steve Jennerson, Pat & Steve Mercer, Graham Boulton and many more).

Got loads of import Motown LP's from the supermarket on Holderness Rd near East Park (Jacksons ?) in the 70's as well as loads of import MGM / Verve 45's from Boyes Dept Store up near there.

Edited December 22, 2012 by Roburt

[Petedillon]

Seems Yorkshire soul folk thought alike back in the mid 60's.

When the Mojo went from niters to Sunday alldayers in mid 67, the age of the crowd dropped.

Us 'old-heads' used to moan all the time about all the 'mini-mods' spoiling our club.

BTW, this was a similar do to the one Keith referred to (an alldayer staged by Stringfellow in Leeds on June 3rd 1968) .....

interestingly Bill Haley on the bill! It seems odd but I recall a friend from Bradford who was an old Brazenose Street goer maintaining he was a big rock'n'roll/rockabilly fan back in the day and also Derek Barnett raving about Jerry Lee Lewis whilst cutting my hair. I was dismayed at the time as a 15 year old Mod, I didnt want to hear that one of the big Leeds Mods liked Rock'n'Roll. Obviously I know better now and understand and appreciate our musics heritage, even owning a Jerry Lee Lewis record myself(Turn On Your Lovelight on UK issue).

[hullsoul]

a few more places in the city centre & on Holderness Rd........That could be Regis Records

....... it was Regis Records; got loads of 45's from there between 1966 & 1970.

That would be "Moving Scene"."Moving Scene" was a big haunt of our Mike,Ian & all there mates.

Yep, that was it and I was one of your Mike's mates (along with Steve Jennerson, Pat & Steve Mercer, Graham Boulton and many more).

Holderness Rd near East Park (Jacksons ?) in the 70's as well as loads of import MGM / Verve 45's from Boyes Dept Store up near there.

Not sure if it was Jackson's I'll ask my mam

Boyes is still there.........don't think I've been in since the 70t's

I live down East Park Ave now.

Say "Hi" to Graham Boulton if you see him,not seen him since I was a teenager.

Pat Mercer had a stonemasons shop at one time at top of our street,didn't really know him to talk to like Graham,Steve Jenny & Stu Mumby(who I once went to Wigan with in his MG......that's another story )

Cheers

Martyn

[Roburt]

Hullsoul said ............. Say "Hi" to Graham Boulton if you see him,not seen him since I was a teenager.

Pat Mercer had a stonemasons shop at one time at top of our street,didn't really know him to talk to like Graham,Steve Jenny & Stu Mumby (who I once went to Wigan with in his MG......that's another story )

Spent time with Graham Boulton & Stu Mumby in the UK and at your Mike's in Sth France about 15 months back. Graham lives in Australia now but Stu now lives between York & Hull and is STILL into MG's.

Pat Mercer (last I heard) was living in Adwick (north end of Dony where our kid lives); not heard of Steve Mercer for many a year.

[chrism]

Heheh!! yes Roy, I think that was the reason mate. I was in the 'Incas' too at the time, and then when the Central Scooter club was formed I obviously joined that. There are some pictures on my profile gallery of the scoots from the Central SC on their way to Brid' I think, there;s mine, Mac's, Chris mallows, Dave Maltas's and Andy Waller's scooters on there, and all bearing the 'CSC' shields.

I will try to find out the name of the Coffee bar opposite the ABC, as the woman and her husband who own the post office near me used to go to it. They told me the name once, but I forgot again.

Steve

All the best Roy.

i think the coffee bar we moved on to was the El Toro.

[Guest selmackie]

it was the el toro

[Northern Soul Uk]

MMM?? Coffee bar opposite the ABC? I seem to remember it being under a different name too, BUT! This is a photo taken at around that time, look at the name above the building where I think we all mean.

It says it was called 'The Ritz' but to be honest, that name doesn't ring any bells with me.

*Click on photo to enlarge*

Edited January 4, 2013 by Steve Luigi

[Petedillon]

thats the one Steve..the ABC Cinema was previously called the Ritz .The El Toro wasnt on that road, it was under the shop(Ravel I think) next to the Peel pub on Boar Lane opposite the BeeGee.

Edited January 5, 2013 by PeteDillon

[Mr Fred]

Hi Fred Ward here, been reading with interest all the discussions about the Central and has got the old grey matter working and memories came flooding back.

Over the years i've had the pleasure to meet some really nice people at Leeds Central including the DJ's and the regulars. Here are some names i remember from years ago does anyone else remember them?i may have got the names Slightly wrong as i'm talking a long time ago ,so apologies if i do,please correct me when and where i am wrong. Here goes:- Nobby Clark and Barbara sweeney from Derby,I remember Nobby getting his 1300 Capri nicked from outside the Central. Kev stott,Alan Stevenson and Spenner both from Halifax,Eric smith,Derrick Noble,Dave Thompson,Steve Midgeley,Rob Slater,Bub,Phil Haigh,Irenna,Steve Grimshaw,Our Rob Rob Ward,Stuart Butcher,Sue Parker,Barry Graham&Charlie(Duckinfield)Scoffer&Karen(Huddersfield)Andy wilson,Pete Wakefield&Maggie,Phsyco(Chris Jenkinson) he used to be excellent at cracking people up.Anne Froggat,Charlie Fineburg,John Rhodes,Matchy,Steve Goodison,Chip,Bev Buttery,Rob Hirst from Pudsey,Palph&Dawn from

Wath on Dearne,Weasel,and Mary Kenworthy,Colin Vernon. Fred

[Northern Soul Uk]

Yes Fred I remember most if not all of those you have named. Unfortunately some are no longer with us, but quite a few are and a few of them come to the alldayers. (Ian) Charlie Fineberg, Mary Kenworthy, to name a couple. I also know that John Rhodes is still about and Rob Hirst too, as I sold a record to him a few months ago, I recognised the name and wrote asking him if he was the same Rob Hirst that went to the Central in the 70s, and his reply was, "yes it is, and you could have cleaned the record before you sent it" . I'm pretty positive that Chris Jenkinson is still with us too.

I'm sure someone on here will fill us in on the rest.

Oh and Eric Smith is still around, he came into where I worked once for some Boiler parts, he's now (or was) working as a fitter.

Steve

Edited January 21, 2013 by Steve Luigi