When & Where Was The First Time You Danced To Northern Soul

[Arabica]

This came about from a question that i was asked at my venue recently.......

It must have been 1969 i used to go to a club in Nottingham called the 360 Club, we had a game of snooker downstairs then later went up stairs to the dance area and Bar watneys red 1/3 a pint, The girls or Birds as we called them then all danced in a line handbags on the floor in the middle hardly any guys danced then,

After the night was over a mate said Mal we are off to another club oh where at this time of night ,it was the TWISTED WHEEL, off we went over the Peak Forest in a ford anglia with one guy in the boot,

On entering the Wheel i was amazed at all the dancers who formed a circle and at intervals one person danced in the middle great dancers they were both sexes doing back drops front drops spins,

I thought sod it have a go and so i did i was off folllowed thier steps and well i could dance in a fashion, the turn that night was Oscar Tony Junior enjoyed his performance,

On retuning home we danced at the 360 and other clubs Colmans the Palais, and i still love to dance body permitting,

So my first dance was at the Wheel & i did wear the leather gloves for the drops.....And when Going to a Happening gets a spin well i just have to dance as i did dance to this tune at the Wheel...

Regards Mal

[Tomangoes]

Was Northern Soul the term used in 1969?

Anyway, for me it was proper northern soul, reaching for the best - exciters, the flasher - Mistura, and spellbound - tamiko jones, baileys nappy nights Doncaster 1975. Actually, God know what it was, just saw these 'bigger boys' clear the dancefloor and start doing backdrops, spins, high kicks, etc and thought 'what the f***' is this? Anyway the following week, we all had a go, as the girls seemed to be gooey eyed at these clever arses who could do the splits etc. We must have looked like real dicks as well as divs, but never the less, we got it in the end. Still cant do the splits though.

Great times!

Ed

[Pete S]

Was Northern Soul the term used in 1969?

Anyway, for me it was proper northern soul, reaching for the best - exciters, the flasher - Mistura, and spellbound - tamiko jones, baileys nappy nights Doncaster 1975. Actually, God know what it was, just saw these 'bigger boys' clear the dancefloor and start doing backdrops, spins, high kicks, etc and thought 'what the f***' is this? Anyway the following week, we all had a go, as the girls seemed to be gooey eyed at these clever arses who could do the splits etc. We must have looked like real dicks as well as divs, but never the less, we got it in the end. Still cant do the splits though.

Great times!

Ed

Ed - when this question was asked before I wrote an almost word for word copy of what you have written above about the 'big boys' and their fantastic dancing. Obviously it was in our village, not Doncaster, but same time and same agenda. I easily learned to do the splits though

[Tomangoes]

Bragger..................

Doing the splits got you into the middle of the floor. If you could spin as well, you'd cracked it.

Somebody played 'afternoon of the rhino' one night. That sorted the men from the boys! Amazed nobody had the head took off, Bruce Lee would have kept out of the way.

Ed

[Arabica]

Was Northern Soul the term used in 1969?

Anyway, for me it was proper northern soul, reaching for the best - exciters, the flasher - Mistura, and spellbound - tamiko jones, baileys nappy nights Doncaster 1975. Actually, God know what it was, just saw these 'bigger boys' clear the dancefloor and start doing backdrops, spins, high kicks, etc and thought 'what the f***' is this? Anyway the following week, we all had a go, as the girls seemed to be gooey eyed at these clever arses who could do the splits etc. We must have looked like real dicks as well as divs, but never the less, we got it in the end. Still cant do the splits though.

Great times!

Ed

Hi Ed

You know when we went to the clubs in the 60's it was a mixture of Soul music,i think Dave Godin came up with the term Northern Soul in 1968 used to direct his staff who served Northern Football fans in his London shop looking for the soul sounds that we were attracted to up north,

Regards Mal

[Guest in town Mikey]

Dursley Community Centre Youth Club Disco. Probably to Judy Street What. I'd watched an older lad called Conway Jones dance and tried to copy him. About 77 or 78 I'd guess.

Edited April 26, 2012 by in town Mikey

[Dean]

Blidworth miners welfare youth club! About 1973? DJ had a Reparata & the Delrons - Panic. coooool. Not sure I would call my effort dancing though. There was a lot of bedroom practice after that to reach the dizzy heights of smooth elegance i now demonstrate

[Guest Martin Coleman]

Dunstable Queensway Hall 1985. There was an "R.S.G." event in the downstairs main room, which I stumbled upon by accident when attending a friend's birthday party in one of the smaller upstairs function rooms. Couldn't believe how good the music was, so had to dance.

Pure serendipity.

If you're out there Mr Buck, thank-you for all the work you put into promoting our music. If it wasn't for you I would never have discovered Northern Soul.

[kevinsoulman]

THE MABERN CLUB SLEAFORD EARLY 70'S

THE CROWD FROM BOSTON USED TO COME OVER AND SHOW US HOW IT WAS DONE.

HAPPY TIMES

KEV

[Sharon Cooper]

Early summer1974 - Basford Hall Miners Welfare or Creepers as we all knew it as. Can`t remember the first one exactly but I remember Reparata and the Delrons `Panic` being played that same night though: Probably wouldn`t have attempted to dance to that then as its a bit on the rapid side: Come to think of it I don`t think I`ve ever attempted to dance to it!!!

Sharon

[dedji1955]

Beachcomber, Wigan 1970, They played a mixed bag of music which included soul music that was to classed as Northern Soul

Highland Room, Blackpool, early 70s was the first dedicated Northern Soul club I danced at, The atmosphere I will never forget

[Guest]

The Dungeon in Nottingham 1966, but not sure if this qualifies because it was not called northern back then, just soul ( sorry Tats & Sean)

Edited April 26, 2012 by Guest

[Paul R]

About 1970/71, sneeked out nof boys brigade at the Methodist church! hid the uniform bits, and went into the disco at St Patricks in Southport. Danced to Third Finger Left Hand. Not long after used to go to St Maries youthclub, for The Snake, Scratchy, Little Old Man, Breakout, Cool Jerk. Etc

Paul

[Arabica]

Early summer1974 - Basford Hall Miners Welfare or Creepers as we all knew it as. Can`t remember the first one exactly but I remember Reparata and the Delrons `Panic` being played that same night though: Probably wouldn`t have attempted to dance to that then as its a bit on the rapid side: Come to think of it I don`t think I`ve ever attempted to dance to it!!!

Sharon

Hi Sharon

How could i forget Creepers was another good night out and the entrance was on Nuthall Rd then,and the sign showing the welfare is still there, i remember 6x6 was a fav of mine at this club cannot remember the DJ's name though?

Mal

[Zed1]

The girls or Birds as we called them then all danced in a line handbags on the floor

Just like today, then!....

[Sharon Cooper]

Hi Sharon

How could i forget Creepers was another good night out and the entrance was on Nuthall Rd then,and the sign showing the welfare is still there, i remember 6x6 was a fav of mine at this club cannot remember the DJ's name though?

Mal

Hi Mal

You`re right: just up the drive from Nuthall Road- I lived just 200yds away ! Rob Smith was the DJ when I went -On Tuesday nights as far as my old memory serves!

Spent some great times there and it was there I met the lads who I first went up to Wigan with: Ian Walker and Phil Smith X

[Arabica]

Hi Mal

You`re right: just up the drive from Nuthall Road- I lived just 200yds away ! Rob Smith was the DJ when I went -On Tuesday nights as far as my old memory serves!

Spent some great times there and it was there I met the lads who I first went up to Wigan with: Ian Walker and Phil Smith X

Hi Sharon

Rob's a resident at the Federation i will ask him ? and it was Tuesday i have tried to get a night on at creepers but it is always covered & Booked would be great to do a reunion at the creepers i will try again but the room rate is over the top,

Mal

[Guest]

Hi Sharon

Rob's a resident at the Federation i will ask him ? and it was Tuesday i have tried to get a night on at creepers but it is always covered & Booked would be great to do a reunion at the creepers i will try again but the room rate is over the top,

Mal

tried to book the new Pilsley there Mal as you say booked up and over the top room rate.

Barry

[John A]

Dunstable Queensway Hall 1985. There was an "R.S.G." event in the downstairs main room, which I stumbled upon by accident when attending a friend's birthday party in one of the smaller upstairs function rooms. Couldn't believe how good the music was, so had to dance.

Pure serendipity.

If you're out there Mr Buck, thank-you for all the work you put into promoting our music. If it wasn't for you I would never have discovered Northern Soul.

Same for me,as a dunstable lad myself and a young moddy type in those days,first stumbled on an RSG in 1984,gone onto spend thousands on records since.(he's got a lot to answer for! lol)

Last saw Jon in Jan this year,he's good but his main priority is looking after Sue.

Great times,went on to cut my teeth at all the Leighton allnighters...ahh,memories.

[Soulfinger]

The Carlton Club in Whalley Range in Manchester 1972

Landslide, You're Ready Now, and, very appropriately, I'm Gonna Run Away From You

Handy lads from Sloane Street in Moss Side and Ayres Road in Old Trafford waiting outside to kick off most Sunday nights. I was a good runner.

[Guest Ganders]

Sounds first but I'm slowly learning

[Guest ScooterNik]

Bradley Youth Club, just outside Wrexham, 1979 on the back of the mod revival.

Lots of Motown which I already knew, and then Soul Twins, Mistura, Dobie Gray and the like.

I gave up the mod thing in 82, but the soul has always stayed with me.

[Sharon Cooper]

Hi Sharon

Rob's a resident at the Federation i will ask him ? and it was Tuesday i have tried to get a night on at creepers but it is always covered & Booked would be great to do a reunion at the creepers i will try again but the room rate is over the top,

Mal

Im sure he will remember Ian and Phil! It would be great if you could get something on there for us old timers who were regulars. Had a great dance floor back in the day, and stage. My mum cleaned there and one day I went with her and I sang `Bobbies girl` from the stage to her and her friends! - I was 4 so I have some long standing memories of the place!!!!

Keep me posted please.

Sharon

[Soul16]

The first time I danced to Northern Soul was in the summer of 1976, at my mate Melvyn's house in Kidderminster. During the school summer holidays (whilst his parents were at work) we would empty the living-room of all the furniture and practice our dance moves, boy, could he out-dance me! - Queen of fools, Girl don't make me wait, I got the fever, Astral trip and Footsie were the top tunes at that venue...

The first time in public would have been at the local Community Hall - It was just a local mobile DJ, but Northern always featured heavily.

[Guest popcorn boy]

Hi Ed

You know when we went to the clubs in the 60's it was a mixture of Soul music,i think Dave Godin came up with the term Northern Soul in 1968 used to direct his staff who served Northern Football fans in his London shop looking for the soul sounds that we were attracted to up north,

Regards Mal

Yes Dave Godin came up with the name northern soul .he must have fell asleep on the way up north.as we had good uptempo dance tracks in northamptonshire.as we had allnighters as early as 1965.Brian Tompkins ran allnighters anywhere he could find good dance room in a large hut. pub room. barn anywhere.Glenn Bellamy.

[Soulman58]

My bedroom 1974, then Shades of Green - Camberley.

[Patto]

Was Northern Soul the term used in 1969?

Anyway, for me it was proper northern soul, reaching for the best - exciters, the flasher - Mistura, and spellbound - tamiko jones, baileys nappy nights Doncaster 1975. Actually, God know what it was, just saw these 'bigger boys' clear the dancefloor and start doing backdrops, spins, high kicks, etc and thought 'what the f***' is this? Anyway the following week, we all had a go, as the girls seemed to be gooey eyed at these clever arses who could do the splits etc. We must have looked like real dicks as well as divs, but never the less, we got it in the end. Still cant do the splits though.

Great times!

Ed

My first experiences were in and around the Donny area also,a couple of years later than you Ed.Hatfield Spiral Youth club's sunken sprung floor was the first time i Danced to The Champion,The Kid,Out of my mind,stop,The Flasher,and all the youth club Northern Faves circa 1978 as a13 year old.In Donny remember Time and Place club dayers and Rotters.couple of years later i just caught the tail end of Wigan before making for Stafford,Clifton Hall and the other great 80s venues

[Guest Mark D]

The Greyhound, Chadwell Heath in East London around '82 with Dick Coombes -- lots of the classics, but whenever I look back I still hear Condition Red which was played really loud. Not the current flavour but I still love it.

[Guest kev such]

The Fleet at fletton 1982.

[Jellybean]

It was the local youth club disco,just literally at the bottom of the road from where I lived where I first danced to northern,they just started off by playing a few here & there like Tobi Legend,Judy Street,Gerri Grainger,The Poppies,Rodger Collins,Evelyn Thomas,Spellbinders, etc..........it got more & more popular as time went on so they started introducing more & more sounds.Until they decided it would be a good idea to put on a few alldayer's & a couple of nighter's but they didn't last that long and soon came to an end.

JB xxx KTF xxx

[Tomangoes]

My first experiences were in and around the Donny area also,a couple of years later than you Ed.Hatfield Spiral Youth club's sunken sprung floor was the first time i Danced to The Champion,The Kid,Out of my mind,stop,The Flasher,and all the youth club Northern Faves circa 1978 as a13 year old.In Donny remember Time and Place club dayers and Rotters.couple of years later i just caught the tail end of Wigan before making for Stafford,Clifton Hall and the other great 80s venues

Donny was and is a hotbed for all things Northern! Although in the 60's it was a hotbed for the real soul music.

[Simsy]

The Three Cups Hotel, Chelmsford 1983. DJ Tony Clayton.

[Soulman]

The Three Cups Hotel, Chelmsford 1983. DJ Tony Clayton.

What ever happened to Tony "The Vicar" Clayton apart from the obvious which went on at the time?

[Simsy]

What ever happened to Tony "The Vicar" Clayton apart from the obvious which went on at the time?

On the back of a hand cart last I saw ...

[Soulman]

Good

[Guest DJ Col]

Hello!

 

New here but I was attracted by finding Mal (Arabica's) reference to the 360 Club.  I DJ'd there for about 3 years. (1968-1971)

I recall Mal, Jimmy Bell, Critch, Ced, and many others.

 

As Mal correctly states, it was Dave Pickering who organised things.

 

This is how it started, for anyone who is interested.

 

I was sitting in the 'King Billy' in Bulwell one evening in around 1968 when Dave Pickering, Dave Cartwright and Ian Gregory (from Donny)

turned to me and said "You're in".

 

At that stage I had no clue what they were on about, but it turned out we were starting a Mobile Disco.

 

We each threw in all the half decent records we had.

 

We bought a couple of old Dansette's, ripped the 'decks' out and stuck them in a chipboard box.

 

We took a hacksaw to the autochange gubbins to make them single play and we pumped the results through Dave's 'Bel' guitar amp which was all mid and top, with no bass.  It sounded pretty horrible, but got us started.

 

We called ourselves 'EMFoteque'.  Yep!, it sounded naff even back then.  EMF.. Electro Motive Force.. Geddit?

 

IIRC, we did a few gigs at the Room at the Top above the White Hart in Glasshouse Street Nottm.

 

I can't recall the fine detail, but we went on to chase the opposition out of the 360 as well as getting regular spots at the Carlton Hotel and Robinson's Hill Social Club and the 76 Club in Burton on Trent.

 

By this time we'd changed our name to The Magic Roundabout Disc Show, which was quickly shortened to the Magic R.

 

As well as the venues above, we did the 'weddings and funerals' circuit as we called it.

 

Basically, we just had a bloody good time!

 

We soon earned enough to buy better kit and built a set up around a couple of Goldring Lenco GL-68 decks , using LEAK TL-50 valve amps and home built speakers.

 

It sounded pretty decent .

 

The 360 club was our main venue and I recall some fabulous nights there.  I loved every minute of it.

 

In the early days I shared the DJ spot with Dave Cartwright.  Later when Dave was busy being married etc., we often had Patch Prewitt (Sp.?) from Hucknall in the line up, as well as other guest DJ's whose names I can't recall.  Sadly, Dave Pick told me a while back that Patch had passed away.

 

We went on to also book lots of groups in, especially on weekends.  Not all soul bands by any means, but we had the likes of Tiny Davis' Souls A Go Go, Mickey's Monkeys, Clockwork Toys, Whichwhat, Sons and Lovers, Carl's Fables, Pete and Billy Campbell and loads more.  One time we got the opportunity to book Root n Jenny Jackson.  I don't think anybody believed we'd really got them, so few turned up and we lost a mint.

 

Generally though, some of the best years of my life and it helped me to build a love for soul that has never left me.

 

I've lived about 15 miles outside Liverpool since 1972, but after a gap of many years, I got a call from Dave Pickering last year and we spent several boozy Wednesdays touring the Cavern and other venues in Liverpool.  I'm still in touch with Dave Cartwright and with Tony Hay, who was also part of the 360 Crew.

 

But, If Mal or anyone else from the Golden Days would like to get in touch, I'd be happy to share reminiscences of the great times at the 360.

 

Oh...  The topic.......

 

Well I couldn't dance then and I can't dance now!

 

And though I believe the late Dave Godin coined the term Northern Soul in the late 1960s, we never used it while I was DJ'ing.  First I heard it was when Wigan Casino

kicked in.

 

DJ Col.  (Colin Berresford 64 and a quarter.    )

 

P.S.  A few faves:

 

Pickin' Wild Mountain Berries.  Peggy Scott/Jo Jo Benson

Ready Willing and Able.           Jimmy Holliday/Clydie King

But It's Alright.                          J.J.Jackson

Just a Little Misunderstanding  Contours.

You've Bin Cheatin'                  Impressions

 

 

Favourite 'slowie'.  Baby I'm For Real.  Originals.

Edited April 7, 2013 by DJ Col

[Rich B]

 the lads who I first went up to Wigan with: Ian Walker and Phil Smith X

 

Its a small world isn't it? I bumped into Ian in the local Indian takeaway a couple of weeks ago, and my first trip to Wigan was with Ian and Dave Hazeldine (on the floor in the back of Dave's Commer van - leaving from the Carlton hotel).

 

I first danced to northern at the local youth club, though in truth none of us knew that's what it was. It was the Brit (during Denny's era), the Carlton hotel, Colmans and the Ilkeston Co op that give me my earliest 'proper' northern memories, with just an occasional visit to 'Creepers'. I had a feeling John Black dj'd there as well as the Co op, but I may be wrong?

 

It was also Ian (Wee wee) Walker who put me behind a set of turntables for the first time - he's got a lot to answer for!

[Sharon Cooper]

Its a small world isn't it? I bumped into Ian in the local Indian takeaway a couple of weeks ago, and my first trip to Wigan was with Ian and Dave Hazeldine (on the floor in the back of Dave's Commer van - leaving from the Carlton hotel).

 

I first danced to northern at the local youth club, though in truth none of us knew that's what it was. It was the Brit (during Denny's era), the Carlton hotel, Colmans and the Ilkeston Co op that give me my earliest 'proper' northern memories, with just an occasional visit to 'Creepers'. I had a feeling John Black dj'd there as well as the Co op, but I may be wrong?

 

It was also Ian (Wee wee) Walker who put me behind a set of turntables for the first time - he's got a lot to answer for!

I must know you! We went to the same places, knocked about with the same people at the same time ! A very small world indeed!

[Sharon Cooper]

Its a small world isn't it? I bumped into Ian in the local Indian takeaway a couple of weeks ago, and my first trip to Wigan was with Ian and Dave Hazeldine (on the floor in the back of Dave's Commer van - leaving from the Carlton hotel).

 

I first danced to northern at the local youth club, though in truth none of us knew that's what it was. It was the Brit (during Denny's era), the Carlton hotel, Colmans and the Ilkeston Co op that give me my earliest 'proper' northern memories, with just an occasional visit to 'Creepers'. I had a feeling John Black dj'd there as well as the Co op, but I may be wrong?

 

It was also Ian (Wee wee) Walker who put me behind a set of turntables for the first time - he's got a lot to answer for!

I haven't seen Ian since the late 70s so probably wouldn't recognise him now. I went out with him for a while when he used to DJ at the Carlton Hotel (when Forest old chairman Fred Reacher owned it! As I recall Fred's daughter Sally worked behind the bar!) Do you remember Ian's van (a transit or comma I think) ? It had purple (?) writing all over it- northern soul comments ' keep the faith' etc etc!! That was how I made my first trip to Wigan which was so exciting for a 16 year old -August 1974. I can't remember John Black at Creepers but there was more than Rob Smith Djing so very possibly. Colmans, Brit, Ilkeston Co op (where the bus to Cleethorpes went from and possibly Wigan ?- my memory fails at the most important times!!) Palais were all favourite local haunts at the time for me also. 'Wee Wee' haha! I'd forgotten a lot used to call Ian that: mostly those from the Bestwood estate where he lived at that time ( I think!!!) x

[Rich B]

I haven't seen Ian since the late 70s so probably wouldn't recognise him now. I went out with him for a while when he used to DJ at the Carlton Hotel (when Forest old chairman Fred Reacher owned it! As I recall Fred's daughter Sally worked behind the bar!) Do you remember Ian's van (a transit or comma I think) ? It had purple (?) writing all over it- northern soul comments ' keep the faith' etc etc!! That was how I made my first trip to Wigan which was so exciting for a 16 year old -August 1974. I can't remember John Black at Creepers but there was more than Rob Smith Djing so very possibly. Colmans, Brit, Ilkeston Co op (where the bus to Cleethorpes went from and possibly Wigan ?- my memory fails at the most important times!!) Palais were all favourite local haunts at the time for me also. 'Wee Wee' haha! I'd forgotten a lot used to call Ian that: mostly those from the Bestwood estate where he lived at that time ( I think!!!) x

 

You would most definitely recognise him Sharon!

 

August '74 was my first trip to Wigan, in that very van. In fact I went two weeks running in August '74 so it is highly likely that we have met at some point! I was on my own on those trips as none of my mates of the time got it at all, and I was very, very shy! I think a Gedling lad, Mick Casey, was on one of the trips. I do remember we stopped at Knutsford services. I also remember getting the bus to Cleethorpes from the market place, I believe Ian organised that too for a while.

[Guest]

Burnley RoseRoom (Sunday sessions) about 1969/70. At that time the Rose Room was only accessible from the main ballroom up a flight of stairs and Sunday nights the RR was over eighteens only so we had to sneak past the bouncer on the door. There was a smaller dance floor behind a curtain and if not too busy it would be closed so that's where we wood dance, well.....when I say dance it looked like we were fitting.

 

Rod Shard will remember more because he`s really old 

[Sharon Cooper]

You would most definitely recognise him Sharon!

 

August '74 was my first trip to Wigan, in that very van. In fact I went two weeks running in August '74 so it is highly likely that we have met at some point! I was on my own on those trips as none of my mates of the time got it at all, and I was very, very shy! I think a Gedling lad, Mick Casey, was on one of the trips. I do remember we stopped at Knutsford services. I also remember getting the bus to Cleethorpes from the market place, I believe Ian organised that too for a while.

Blimey! You and me led parallel lives for a while! ! knutsford was the regular stop off! I recall a car side swiping us on one of the trips; can't call what damage was done to Ian's van but no one would have noticed it I'm sure! Mick Casey- now there's a name I recall as well. I've replied to your PM

Xx

[night nurse]

concord club ilkeston was my first attempt to have a go was a nice place but my dancing is the same now as it was then but i do remember edwinstowe youth club as a younger person in my teens ( oh so long ago) cant remember what tune i first danced to sorry 

[Geordiejohnson]

My house from nappies and i did an arse bump up and down,, my dad was a soul nut..... in public The Plaza Ballroom Tynemouth 1975

 

 

 

 

 

 

The ballroom was huge it stretched the width of the curved central section, sad the place burnt down it would have made a brilliant weekender venue it had 6 floors right down onto the sands with a roller rink on the bottom and up to the curved dome on top it was Huge my mate had the arcades at the side of the building and he took me round a couple of times the building was a treasure.

 

 

Geeoooooordie

[Jim G]

1971, Newton Aycliffe Youth Centre (aka 'The Youthie) 

 

Made many friends there and had great times and the all nighters were great as well on Fridays. Many great memories.

[Back Street Blue]

Started "hand bag" dancing at the junior nights at the Cats Whiskers in Oldham to Motown / Soul stuff that was coming out then in '72/3

... remember Detroit Emeralds- feel the need, Temp's - law of the land, Johnny Taylor - who's making love etc.

 

This was two-step type stuff that the girls taught us so we could join in with them.

 

DJ's were Julias K Scragg & Mick The Fed.

 

A little while later, some of the Older lads, Joey Haughton, Paul McKeever and Ian Galvin, started proper dancing, I assume they got the DJ's to play the odd record. They'd discovered the emerging "Scene" following the closure of the Wheel. They were all shit hot dancers and Joey was the acrobat. He was in the Navy and I think that he had met guys there who'd introduced him to the Torch and that's were these three had apparently learned the ropes.

 

I was 13 and too young/skint to get a ticket from Hymes & Addisons in Manchester for a big niter that was coming up in Leeds with Major Lance, JJ Barnes and others in a cracking line up but my mates who were all a year or two older than me got them and went.

 

From there on in the Pendulum became the place to be and shortly after that, Wigan.

 

My dancing was styled on the older kids that I first saw at the Whiskers, followed by loads of bedroom practice before I had the courage to get on the floor there. The stuff I learned to was landslide, gonna find me somebody, too late, wade in the water, trampoline, end of our love......and of course the beloved Al Wilsons' the snake  .

 

The timings, dates may be a little muddled but that's roughly how I remember it. 

Edited April 20, 2013 by back street blue

[Guest MrC]

Probably towards mid 70s - in my (small) bedroom, then at Wombourne Youth Club, following that Wigan. All within quite a short-ish period of time too!

[Guest DJ Col]

Has anybody posted this video here before?

I think it's Fab!

 

lEUsuPGBo-c

DJ Col

 

 

Edit. That doesn't seem to have worked.  Does this site not support links to Youtube?

 

It is a terrific merging of an Eleanor Powell/Fred astaire dance with the Contours 'Just a Little Misunderstanding'  Well worth seeking out.

 

DJ Col

Edited April 20, 2013 by DJ Col

[Northern Soul Uk]

The Torch in Stoke.

I didn't know what Northern Soul was til I went into that place as I was into Motown and R&B (the real R&B that is).

A real eye opener it was too I can tell you.

 

I'll never forget the massive rush of heat and atmosphere when the door opened to go in, nearly knocked me over. Then inside I was blown away by the dancers and knew I had to do it, even more so when I saw Frank Booper strutting his stuff. I am also proud to say that eventually when I got good, I was invited into 'Boopers' circle of dancers, a great honour at the Torch that was.

 

Great daze!!!

Edited April 20, 2013 by Northern Soul UK

[Fitter]

Cleo's in Derby but I can't remember if it was still called Clouds at that time, round about 74. From there I started going to Samantha's in Sheffield. Used to have to get the train back ready to start work on Saturday morning, still too young to drive then. That was just the start of a few great years dancing up and down the country.

Fitter