Influences

[Guest]

After a 22 yr absence I was taken to THE CROSS KEYS , HEDNESFORD and later THE AQAURIUS unbeknown that the scene was thriving , it was there I was introduced to NIGE BROWN , NIGE SHAW and SPOOK .The records they played blew me away. Later I attended a soul night run by MARK BICKNELL in STOCKPORT. So let it be known my missus is blaming you for my addiction,

Thanks Mak thats ok

HB

[Robin S]

Hi Lee,

Whilst I always looked south to Leicester where footy was concerned, musically Nottingham was the place for me! The Brit every friday, Notts Palais Dayers/Niters and Jonathon's coaches to Wigan from the Salutation. Never went to Leicester much - Tiffs Dayers but that was about it! Loughborough YWCA - some memories there....first youth club exposure to Northern in '76....

Leviene must go....thats Craig not Ian :-)))

less of all the notts derby acknowledgements salty balls, what about about leics, loughborough town hall and the y.w.c.a. etc.

[leev]

Hi Lee,

Whilst I always looked south to Leicester where footy was concerned, musically Nottingham was the place for me! The Brit every friday, Notts Palais Dayers/Niters and Jonathon's coaches to Wigan from the Salutation. Never went to Leicester much - Tiffs Dayers but that was about it! Loughborough YWCA - some memories there....first youth club exposure to Northern in '76....

Leviene must go....thats Craig not Ian :-)))

THE LEICESTER BOARD BACKED LEVEIN TUESDAY, HE'S HERE FOR A WHILE LONGER MUCKER

I HAD SOME GREAT NIGHTS AT THE BRIT CIRCA 79/80 WHILST SHARING A FLAT WITH JEZ PARTRIDGE, KAREN FROM GLOUCESTER, LITTLE CHICK, AND WHOEVER PASSD THROUGH THE DOOR AND CRASHED FOR A WHILE.

[Guest NASHEE]

My friend Pamela Vickers.

She wasa couple of years older than me...she smoke, drank, Took drugs, went with boys and stayed up all night at a club called the Torch....If it was good enough for her...It was good enough for me.!!!!

My parents said at the age of 14 I'd turned into an Animal...oooer....surely they didnt mean moi ?

Big break in the 80's for the marriage & kids thing.

Then after the divorce met Sammy from Crewe...and the rest as they say is history

[Guest]

Randy Cozens - of course

[Billywhizz]

I've said this before i'll say it again for me my biggest influence without a shadow of a doubt head and shoulders above the rest is Ian Clark, at Yate he was the man, early days of the 100 Club he was the man, Cashmeres, Elbie Parker, Joann Courcy, Empires, Paris, Bobby Kline etc. he had them all, his passion for the music perfection and presentation as a DJ inspired me, i only wish he was still out there doing it, and more important than the records etc. Ian is one hell of a nice bloke.

Respect to the DJ's DJ - Mark Bicknell.

Hi Mark,Ian Clark is doing a spot east coast northern and modern soul all nighter 6 till 6 saturday feb 25th at the water side corton Lowerstoft,your not bad a bad DJ yourself saw u on buzzard all nighter mid late 80's and at bury all nighter few months ago. Billy

[Mark Bicknell]

Hi Mark,Ian Clark is doing a spot east coast northern and modern soul all nighter 6 till 6 saturday feb 25th at the water side corton Lowerstoft,your not bad a bad DJ yourself saw u on buzzard all nighter mid late 80's and at bury all nighter few months ago. Billy

That's brilliant news Billy, it's been long overdue to get Ian back where he belong's and thanks for your kind comments...lol i have my moments and can still mix it with the best of them.....lol

Regards - Mark Bicknell.

[Guest]

Tony Dellar-Ive never known a man who enjoys Djing so much, I'm proud to be his friend.

Anyone who was around Cambridge, Norwich and the rest of East Anglia in the 70`s will feel the same.

Mr Dellar can still put together a brilliant set and is a true gent.

[sister dawn]

Influences? Mine have to be from the halcyon days of the pier at Cleethorpes the palais at Nottingham and of course the all nighters at Lincoln Drill hall... Djs... Mary Chapman, Soul Sam, Rick Scott the latter two now have gone to the "Darkside" of soul but still must have the ultimate collection of "Oldies" .... From the days at the palais mr golden voice himself, Rob Smith... whom every set he played had me dancing, and his comments about every track being "available" at his record stall at the back of the room... some of the best 50p's and quids I have ever invested in.... Friends past and present that continue to be part of the great northern scene and whom make it what it is are the best influences to have.....

[asboannie]

Never got to meat Randy Cozens........... , but Richie Ady & Randy were big mate. Randy and Ady were suppose to come down to LLandudno that summer but unforgunately he died . We had a great time at his memorial and then went to the 100 club afterwards......

[Billywhizz]

Anyone who was around Cambridge, Norwich and the rest of East Anglia in the 70`s will feel the same.

Mr Dellar can still put together a brilliant set and is a true gent.

I second that i believe he's not been in good health lately.

Billy

[Gary]

I suppose my earliest influence was a tape my friend gave me (Del Capri's, Supremes, Dobie Gray etc) that his uncle had done.

When i started DJing at our local event, one of the other DJ's was my friends uncle. Strange but true.

[Soulsmith]

That's brilliant news Billy, it's been long overdue to get Ian back where he belong's and thanks for your kind comments...lol i have my moments and can still mix it with the best of them.....lol

Regards - Mark Bicknell.

I saw Ian at Soul Essence, he sells records there. Had a good chat with him.

He still loves the music but has quite a lot of other interests now.

Col.

[BlueWail]

My biggest influence was parr hall in warrington

until i went there

My main thing was the mod scene and scooter runs that i used to turn up at

My first nighter at the parr hall

Basicly blew me away and got me into the real side of soul music

without the clothes and lifestyle aspect of being a yoof

Now

I can be obsessed by soul music but not be botherd about the width of my kecks

[Guest Byrney]

The first person to influence me was an older lad called Joey from Eastwood; a wizened Methuselah at the age of 19. He used to return from Wigan sporting a 1000 yard stare, clutching strange looking 45s and tales of capers a plenty. These stories and general naughtiness of staying out all night was enough to get me interested.

A year later I'd jump on the bus from Eastwood to Nottingham for the Palais alldayer and didn't look back (along with about 20 ish spotty teens, all who dropped off a year later).

Skip a few years - Dean Anderson, Guy and Kitch were the main influences in opening my ears to records other than the tried and tested. Especially Dean, always hunting for new sounds whilst putting up with me asking a multitude of silly questions.

[Neiljon31]

Also a special mention to Ady Connolly (Derby) whose awesome collection early '80s was a never ending inspiration.

[Bitchdj]

Where do i start way back in the early 70s twas browny who got me started on this scene in Stafford there were 2 djs who were the main men on the scene at the time Barry Low & Barry Morgan sadly neither of them are with us but they used to play the top soul sounds in and around stafford at that time.Twas probly down to then most of the Stafford lot started goin to niters

But these days Keith Money always comes up with somethin new so dose Andy Dyson very underestermated IMO

This one is the one that will shock alot of you Kim Cook (aka cookie) She was always very inivative with her selection of records got a good ear for a sound & eye for a bargin.No this aint a wind up we mite not see eye to eye these days but i have to pay her the credit she deserves

HB

all my greatest influences...lets see......keb n guy.....dave thorley.......most ppl i saw @ 100 club in the early 80's....me bro who first introduced me to the scene ( wasnt old enuff to go to wigan )..one of my fave memories is watchin dave thorley run round the decks to dance to his own tunes with that wild mushroom perm fing goin on ..thats a real dj one who has faith and passion for his/her own music...

cookie

Edited January 15, 2006 by bitchdj

[Guest]

Influences? Mine have to be from the halcyon days of the pier at Cleethorpes the palais at Nottingham and of course the all nighters at Lincoln Drill hall... Djs... Mary Chapman, Soul Sam, Rick Scott the latter two now have gone to the "Darkside" of soul but still must have the ultimate collection of "Oldies" .... From the days at the palais mr golden voice himself, Rob Smith... whom every set he played had me dancing, and his comments about every track being "available" at his record stall at the back of the room... some of the best 50p's and quids I have ever invested in.... Friends past and present that continue to be part of the great northern scene and whom make it what it is are the best influences to have.....

Is this where Rob Smith gets the nickname 10 bob rob from

HB

[Guest MOLLY]

Brian Rae and Soul Sam

[Guest denmac]

Biggest influence on me was Chris Fletcher's "Soul-Source" magazine out of Nottingham circa '79. This introduced me to the world of "newies" and made me realise the importance of keeping things moving forward. All the following Dj's at various Searling,Soul Sam, Arthur Fenn,Poke, Keb and Guy. Also a special mention to ,.,.,.,.

ROBIN !!!!! A C . do not mention that name again!!! this man has been my life blood for the last 25 years.you dont get away lightly either.ive got tapes from both of you (late 80`s ?) i`am still looking for most of the tracks.A C says ,lets go to thorne ,,(,i`ve never left) .A C say`s lets go to parkers...(.i`ve never left)

so here it is the list ,

A C

ROBIN

shelvo

fish

sam

voices(ROD)

tats

wigo

steve hobbs. (B&S early 90`s ..so in touch)in stead of R S`s so commotozzzzzzsssooouuuullllllll....

[Mak]

Hi Lee,

Whilst I always looked south to Leicester where footy was concerned, musically Nottingham was the place for me! The Brit every friday, Notts Palais Dayers/Niters and Jonathon's coaches to Wigan from the Salutation. Never went to Leicester much - Tiffs Dayers but that was about it! Loughborough YWCA - some memories there....first youth club exposure to Northern in '76....

Leviene must go....thats Craig not Ian :-)))

Edited January 16, 2006 by MAK

[Guest Dan]

ady croasdell by a mile, wouldn't have heard of northern soul, most likely, if not for the kent albums

dj-wise, ian clark, cliff steele (the most underrated dj ever in my book, loved his midtempo sets years ago), carl fortnum, guy and keb (the most inspirational dj ever, just for his chat and enthusiasm).

someone mentioned rob wigley and tats, would agree with that they were two older guys who didn't mind chatting with younger lads and helping out with sounds, advice etc.

also rudzi, used to love browsing his shop and bought my first ever northern record there (barbara lewis, i remember the feeling).

[BrianB]

I was always into the indie scene, stone roses, happy mondays, primal scream, etc....but became very bored with listening to the same albums over and over. The guy at my local record shop was always giving me different albums to listen to but I couldn't seem to find what I was looking for , a different sound. My dad is bang into the soul music and I've heard northern and motown all my life so a few years ago I asked for a few northern cd's. I played these all christmas day and songs Id heard and qite liked popped up - judy street, jimmy clarke, dean parrish and I was a happy chappy with my new tunes going out and buying more cd's.

Then something strange happened. I was in my first year at uni and led in bed one night and listening to a new cd Id bought and Bobby Paris - I walked away came on. I cant explain the feeling I got when I heard that tune but it literally changed my life.

I then discovered that there was an all nighter in manchester at the CIS and the rest is history.

I will always be thankfull to my Dad for those 3 cd's, Steve Cato for introducing me to the nighter scene, Chris Waterman for looking after me when I was skint and especially to Sharron (reg) for giving me and matty lifts every week to all these different venue's.

To these people, thank you

Paul,

Do you remember getting up one Saturday morning and I was just about to play Whats Wrong With Me Baby by the Invitations on the Dyno Voice demo? You said is it new, I said I bought it last night. Your next question was is it the original and have you got the Drifter yet.

You were eight years old, so you were into it sooner than you thought!

Great to meet Steve and Reg on Saturday. Brilliant night, absolutely top class records all night.

[Tomangoes]

In the mid 70s it was the whole package that attracted me and most of my mates. The made to measures, 30 inch bottoms, inverted pleats, individual back pocket flap designs, the long leather coats, the (commercial) music like 'out on the floor' ' the flasher', the dancing, the venues where 13 to 18 years old went (Assembly rooms Rotherham, Brickyard Mexboro etc) The adventure of going to Cleethorpes (Winter Gardens) all nighters. The atmosphere of 200 youths stomping to 'Strut in time'.

It was electric, with no other scene quite offering the whole package, a way of life. Anybody who got it under the skin can never really leave it, only take the odd time outs.

Long live the scene!!!!!!

Ed

[Ged Parker]

If you know the names you'll know how their knowledge and taste in music was (is) infectious:

Sandy Moutain

Gaz Kellet

[Guest]

He used to return from Wigan sporting a 1000 yard stare,

Best description of how we all looked I`ve ever read.

[Winsford Soul]

Which people influenced you when it came to being a part of the Rare(Northern) Soul Scene.

For me it was a fellow across the road from where I lived...Steve Tweed, his brother Johnathon was a mate of mine and lent me a tape, back in 78, things like Donnie Burkes , Major Lance, Yum Yums etc, Steve was a regular at Wigan etc and I was fascinated by these people who would stay out all night then sleep through the next day.....

Later in the early 80's I would listen (after been told) to Richard Searling on a local radio Show, this for me was a revelation (at the time he allocated just 5 Northern tracks to a 2 hour show..Remember the scene had at that time supposedly nosed dived) The natural progression was to attend Soul events, we would frequent Clifton Hall, and on occasion a coach would leave Sheffield bus station at 10.30 headed for Cleethorpes, which we as young guns would support (quiet at the front). Of course over the ensuing years I became friendly with many folks, and even to this day I am still being influenced by many fans of this incredible music. Guys like Mark Bicknell, Paul Havekin, Mark Etheridge, Stevie Z, Tony Jackson, Mark Baildon, Jamie Hartford, Pat Brady, Steve Mannion, Rich Buckley, Karl White, Errol Green, Paul Sadot, Ted Massey, Nige Shaw, Phil Rains,Gareth Sweeney, Ben Summers, Lisa Hurley, Niki Golding, Stevie Cato, Rich Evans, Nick Hackett, Hannah Moore, Andy Whitmore, Chris Morgan, Andy Taylor, Ady Croadsell, Gene Robertson, Martin Dixon,Keb Darge Chris Anderton and Dave Rimmer... All good people who have given me their time and experience and as a whole made my life richer for their enthusiasm towards my endless questions.

Brett

For me but not in any particular order. Baz Maleedy, Flanny, Ste Whittle, Mark Bicknell, Brian Rae, Richard & Russ. Robbo, Carl Willingham. Tim Ashabendy, Pat Brady. The list is endless.

Steve

[Guest durophet]

Good thread .....

For me it was GLYN REARDON from Nuneaton and ADEY HARLEY from Brighouse (now in Australia) who set me on this path of never any money .... unless it's for vinyl.

Still have the tape Glyn did me ..... March 1985 .... got things like Sharon McMahon (covered up as Florence Millar), Huns Review, Headlines, Carol Anderson ..... loads of stuff that's massive today.

I still look back at this tape as being a defining moment for me scene wise .....

what do you mean ? It was a defining moment in your life ha ha ha how u keeping fine i hope still keeping the faith? when u look back we were miles ahead of everyone else collecting at the time and still brings a rye smile to my face when i see the prices of records thanks for the kind comments ayear or so ago luv ya glyn

[Guest Matt Male]

what do you mean ? It was a defining moment in your life ha ha ha how u keeping fine i hope still keeping the faith? when u look back we were miles ahead of everyone else collecting at the time and still brings a rye smile to my face when i see the prices of records thanks for the kind comments ayear or so ago luv ya glyn

Blimey, does this mean you're back on the scene Glyn? PM me if you want to go to Middleton on the 14th.

Edited July 7, 2007 by Matt Male

[Baz Atkinson]

amazed richard serling circa 78-79 wigan has not been mentioned ,he turned me from a flare wearing nutter to a george kirby and sleepless night fan overnight.[massive influence]

agree with joan on ady harley also ,a good mate and great impeccable taste,his tapes were fab in the early eighties,john powney however eccentric was a big influence also,his tapes in the early eighties really influenced my collecting at the time.

BAZ A

PS AL CONEY ,GAZ SIMON,KEV KANE,KEV JOHNSON,ALL GOOD MATES THAT HAVE HELPED KEEP THE FIRE BURNING ALSO OVER THE YEARS.

[Guest Bearsy]

The whole package of people venue and music did it for me and the rest just happens, stumble into a scene without realising the next thing your obsessed

I have not met anyone yet without a passion for the scene and it just keeps rubbing off on me.

Warren Boogaloo, Little Ian, Mischief and Moldie have always been to blokes and just encouraged and gave great advice from the beginning for me, so many others too but at the end of the day if you dont get the music you dont get into the scene.

long may it continue too

Bearsy

[John Al]

Which people influenced you when it came to being a part of the Rare(Northern) Soul Scene.

Have to say, Brett, nobody did. The music lured me in to the point where I was travelling to 'nighters on my own before I made mates on the "scene".

Although I think from those early days, perhaps once person influenced me and still does although I've never met him :

JJ Barnes.

[Wiganer1]

Good thread .....

For me it was GLYN REARDON from Nuneaton and ADEY HARLEY from Brighouse (now in Australia) who set me on this path of never any money .... unless it's for vinyl.

Still have the tape Glyn did me ..... March 1985 .... got things like Sharon McMahon (covered up as Florence Millar), Huns Review, Headlines, Carol Anderson ..... loads of stuff that's massive today.

I still look back at this tape as being a defining moment for me scene wise .....

===

glyns packed in a few years back ..still see him now and again..

Edited July 7, 2007 by wiganer1

[Guest Matt Male]

===

glyns packed in a few years back ..still see him now and again..

He's signed up on here yesterday Mark. Is he considering returning?

[Wiganer1]

He's signed up on here yesterday Mark. Is he considering returning?

====

dunno matt..not spoke to him for a while

i really doubt it seems really happy not being off the scene...he was very disalutioned with it all last soul night we went to...some years ago.

[Guest Una Scot-Oz]

Good thread .....

For me it was GLYN REARDON from Nuneaton and ADEY HARLEY from Brighouse (now in Australia) who set me on this path of never any money .... unless it's for vinyl.

Still have the tape Glyn did me ..... March 1985 .... got things like Sharon McMahon (covered up as Florence Millar), Huns Review, Headlines, Carol Anderson ..... loads of stuff that's massive today.

I still look back at this tape as being a defining moment for me scene wise .....

Hey Joan, I see Ady Harley alot here. He is one of the resident DJ's at SOS in Sydney. His wife is due her baby this month.

My main influences at the beginning, before I was swept away with it all was my little group of friends from Scotland, Avron, Tommy Cockburn who was the only real record collector amongst us at the beginning, Jackie P, Liz Ryan. And one of my first mates at Wigan, Steve Allen (Sallie) from Eccles, Manchester. He would tell me the names of records and bought me my first record, and got me a pressing of The Yum Yums. (If anyone knows where he is I would love to know)

Also Pete Ricketts who taught me how to stomp. And Brian Rae quickly became my favourite DJ.

[soul45s]

A big thankyou to all the tape swappers from the early 1980s - mid 90s, who traded C60s & C90s with me & introduced me to so many fantastic underplayed & forgotten tracks

I had 100s, maybe 1000s of tapes, I still play some of them now, definately the best influence of my collecting!

Does anyone on here know Phil Tolley from Wolverhampton, if so, ask him for contact details.

I loved it when the postie delivered the Jiffy Bags containing tapes, I would rip the package open and then there would be another handful of tunes to hunt down for the collection

[Guest WPaulVanDyk]

well from who i have seen, i have become to know Skip Stuart who to me is one of the best DJ's we have in our city and can't wait to hear his set again.

But apart from that again Nigel always delivers and is a great big insperation to me and Martin Stanford. i would not meet someone who is as funny as him.

[KevH]

Without a doubt the biggest influence for me ,,Tats Taylor.

Unabounded enthusiasm,knowledge,the ability to cut thru the crap in the scene,he put up with me for quite a long time.Never tired of talking "soul",and the tapes played on the way back from the Mecca/Wigan were a genuine influence.Bring back tape sounds!!

One of the first times i went to his place when he lived at home,he'd got records hidden underneath rugs and carpets,45's everywhere(duke browner on impact was one "hidden" gem).I was still at school at the time ,Tats and just left.

Others,,,Roose,Nige Willets,Curly,Mick Padley,Johnny Maddocks,,,,,,,,,dj in the early days?

............Colin Curtis,never afraid to push the boundaries,,,,,,now?..............the list is endless............