Acrobatics Gymnastics

[Guest lambrettanik]

Definitely brought out the Foot movers and their intricate little patterns. Lots of arms and interpretation of the lyric. Close your eyes and live the moment dancers, quality !! The best dancers, IMHO, were the ones that danced for themselves and not for the voyeurs.

Jethro and Mona from Chesterfield were legends '72 through '75. Mona still comes along but heard nothing of Jethro for an age ??!!

gethro now lives in america,were he is currentley writing a book on the scene

[Tezza]

gethro now lives in america,were he is currentley writing a book on the scene

My apologies - 'Gethro' ( Should have known that !! )

That should be an interesting read !!!!

[Guest lambrettanik]

He still does those "When on earth will he stop",type spins?him and danny used to do a good act between them back then.if Bill is still spinning the same then hes no 1 on the scene for spinning and I am saying this out on a limb because I have only been two shakes back into things but going on what Ive seen and what he was like theres nothing to touch him.I knew who he was obviously but didnt know him personaly as I was from Corby originally and didnt move to peterborough till many years after quitting.I have got to know Danny really well over the years though,no matter how much he has had to deal with he is still a bright personality and a very easy going lad,I dont think he has seen Bill for a great many years.

watch out for young jordan of the wys in wigan this lad can spin-best ive seen anywhere!-upto 12 rotations! and doesnt fall over

[Wiggyflat]

There were a few of them at the last Stoke...good at the acrobatics....but practicing moves on the dancefloor is a bit much...that's what the mirror and worn carpet is for.

[Speedlimit]

no mate sammy is still going strong and was @ stoke last month on the floor,carl piper is still active as a dancer,last saw him @ alderley edge,casper was @ black bee in manchester,chippy was stutting his stuff @ highfield WYS soul night-need i go on.i disagree with your statement that it has "no place on todays scene"_thats like saying fast records or 70s tunes havent either,its part and parcel of our "DANCE" scene

Ok what I actually said was they took a break from the scene, I know all of them, some of them very well! Regarding the "fast records" I am all for new 60's, 70's, up to 2k being played-thats what you call progression! If you knew me, you would know I spin in my dancing too-so no I would not say spinning is not dancing!

Now as for the kids..... my step son is one of the youngest dj's to ever dj at the 100 Club. He has his own style of dance/dress, not copying anyone, he just dances how he feels when the music is played! Surely that is what everyone does??? Another point if it was a dance culture then surely wouldn't everyone dance the same? All the dancers named above have very different styles from one another!

I am in great support of this scene, which I have been into for over 38 years now, but long to see progression musically, as do many others with the inclusion of the younger generation. Why should they dress rectro and dance like older generations just to be accepted into the scene? A visit down London may enlighten you alittle!

[Guest lambrettanik]

no mate sammy is still going strong and was @ stoke last month on the floor,carl piper is still active as a dancer,last saw him @ alderley edge,casper was @ black bee in manchester,chippy was stutting his stuff @ highfield WYS soul night-need i go on.i disagree with your statement that it has "no place on todays scene"_thats like saying fast records or 70s tunes havent either,its part and parcel of our "DANCE" scene

Ok what I actually said was they took a break from the scene, I know all of them, some of them very well! Regarding the "fast records" I am all for new 60's, 70's, up to 2k being played-thats what you call progression! If you knew me, you would know I spin in my dancing too-so no I would not say spinning is not dancing!

Now as for the kids..... my step son is one of the youngest dj's to ever dj at the 100 Club. He has his own style of dance/dress, not copying anyone, he just dances how he feels when the music is played! Surely that is what everyone does??? Another point if it was a dance culture then surely wouldn't everyone dance the same? All the dancers named above have very different styles from one another!

I am in great support of this scene, which I have been into for over 38 years now, but long to see progression musically, as do many others with the inclusion of the younger generation. Why should they dress rectro and dance like older generations just to be accepted into the scene? A visit down London may enlighten you alittle!

done the london thing!,quite frankly i think your back tracking on what you orginally posted,dance is dance,and northern has a distinct style as does rave,rock n roll,swing,jive,tap,salsa,charleston blah blah,if the kids want to copy us and dress retro then thats their business-who are we/you to dictate what they do!?.nice to hear your step son dj's, hope it was modern 2k stuff and not 60s ?as this would kinda make you a hypocrit! and so does admitting you spin(isnt that an old fashioned northern soul manoeuver? and shouldnt you be developing something new?)i like modern stuff including funky house and new undiscovered 60s and 70s gems,but to say we shouldnt honour,remember or preserve the past,is in my opinion wrong and detremental to our musical culture.yes the dance style will evolve and change(and has)so who are we/you to say people shouldnt be allowed to do acro's,spin,or dance in a mecca or casino?>if you dont like it-dont attend venues then,you wont be missed,ffs let people enjoy themselves as long as no one gets hurt what does it matter!?,and for every one to dance the same it stops being a culture and becomes a discipline like classical ballet were personal interpritation isn't allowed,and is taught in a class room,the dancers have to master certain set techniques before being allowed to dance in public and express themselves individually,thats the difference Edited November 4, 2012 by lambrettanik

[Speedlimit]

I don't think you actually understand what I said as we seem to agree on some issues even though you are saying I don't!!!! (Personal interpritation of music) I do not have a problem with people enjoying themselves as that is what it is about at the end of the day but I, like many others think there should be progression, bring the scene into the present not live in the past! the music will still continue to be played but can be mixed with more up todate sounds! As you say you enjoy funky house etc! I still enjoy 60's especially undiscovered sounds like what Butch discovers!

Spinning is not just in our style of music it is in most styles of music I think you will find. My point about acrobatics is that it looks quite old & tired & generally does not fit in to todays sounds, mainly the mid tempo ones. I don't attend some venues purely for that reason that there is to much emphasis on retro sounds, but that is just my personal choice.

It seems we agree that dancing comes from within, so whats your opinion on these northern soul dance classes????? Surely these will have everyone dancing the same!

One last thing I think you will find that I have not been personal in my response to you, unlike your good self!

[Guest ScooterNik]

Surely the point should be 'if it fits, then what's the problem'? By all means don't feel compelled to do it if you're not up to it, but don't knock those who do - it's their choice.

[Guest Krissii]

The lass in the This England footage ,who is wearing a neckerchief , (not the interviewed laundry worker lass) does a great backdrop , she winds her hands in the air at the same time .

[Daveyboy66]

Surely the point should be 'if it fits, then what's the problem'? By all means don't feel compelled to do it if you're not up to it, but don't knock those who do - it's their choice.

Isn't that the point though..how many people have you seen trying to cram as many " special moves " into a record rather than actually dancing to the record? How many people don't understand where the breaks are in Don Covey's "Seesaw" for example?

[Guest soul elite]

If some old boy/girl wants to throw their shapes on the dancefloor then let them, if the sight offends you that much then turn away!!!"

LIVE & LET LIVE, if they're happy then fine....

[Wiggyflat]

Northern soul....its patches...its bootlegs...its originals...its big dancehalls...its speed....its uptempo dance music.....its working class...its holdalls....its talc.....its discovering the next new undeplayed or discovered track....and its dancing...including acrobatics.

[Paddy Ferry]

I wonder of those that call them naff and cringe worthy because of how they dress and dance actually go up and tell them , or is it easier to sit there like Waldorf and Statler shaking heads and sn*****ing.

[Winnie :-)]

watch out for young jordan of the wys in wigan this lad can spin-best ive seen anywhere!-upto 12 rotations! and doesnt fall over

Counted Tall Paul (Todmorden) one night, 20 rotations, and he also doesn't fall over

[manus]

I think people should just go out and enjoy themselves and if that involves leaping around and acrobatics so be it - I don't really see how it harms anyone else unless they knock you flying but hasn't that always been an acceptable hazard of Soul do's even when we were young.

Cheers

Manus

[Biggordy]

I tried spinning at an allnighter at Loughborough, went over on my ankle and ripped the ligaments!

[Guest lambrettanik]

yeh mate i know tall paul, a good spinner but jordan surpasses him,jordans spins are tidy and spot on every time ,never seen any 1 do spins like the young lad,its a special talent,and if you see him i think u will agree.

Counted Tall Paul (Todmorden) one night, 20 rotations, and he also doesn't fall over

y

[Guest lambrettanik]

yeh mate i know tall paul, a good spinner but jordan surpasses him,jordans spins are tidy and spot on every time ,never seen any 1 do spins like the young lad,its a special talent,and if you see him i think u will agree.

y

ooh and i forgot 2 say that jordan styled himself on tall paul-how do i know? the lad told me

[Guest lambrettanik]

I don't think you actually understand what I said as we seem to agree on some issues even though you are saying I don't!!!! (Personal interpritation of music) I do not have a problem with people enjoying themselves as that is what it is about at the end of the day but I, like many others think there should be progression, bring the scene into the present not live in the past! the music will still continue to be played but can be mixed with more up todate sounds! As you say you enjoy funky house etc! I still enjoy 60's especially undiscovered sounds like what Butch discovers!

Spinning is not just in our style of music it is in most styles of music I think you will find. My point about acrobatics is that it looks quite old & tired & generally does not fit in to todays sounds, mainly the mid tempo ones. I don't attend some venues purely for that reason that there is to much emphasis on retro sounds, but that is just my personal choice.

It seems we agree that dancing comes from within, so whats your opinion on these northern soul dance classes????? Surely these will have everyone dancing the same!

One last thing I think you will find that I have not been personal in my response to you, unlike your good self!

i appologise for being personal good sir,it wasnt ment to be,as my writing style is probably interprited that way dance classes hmmmm now theres a subject,i think very few should teach it as yes i believe you will turn out carbon copies-but on the other hand i have been involved with 'guidence' for the forth coming film.as have others ie sammy,tommo,paul sardot.keb.sue and casper,and i didnt teach as such but polished certain aspects of the dancers,that is to say showed them some basics and then allowed them to interprit what was shown so as to develop their own styles.also gave advice as to what looked good and what worked and what didnt.i was careful not to allow my style and moves to be replicated(which was hard)

[Soulman58]

Fair play to them if they can do it still. Having said that never been a big fan of acrobatics, other than spinning, don't know why it just never seemed to go with the msuic. Basil from Reading way was a top spinner circa 75.

[Smudger]

[Irish Spinner]

I saw Matchie still cutting it on the floor on Saturday night at st Ives,hes still groovin,as are a few others,I reckon the best spinners came from cambridgeshire though,Danny Daniels and his mate Billy from Peterborough and Irish from Cambridge.Like you say the best danced for themselves not for others.Still samanthas should open up again for nighters and have a retrofit by putting the old floor back in.(dreams ah)Dont think Danny and Billy went to samanthas more wigan though I saw Irish there.

 

Well just read your post thought you might like to see this pic Billy Bingham & Myself me on the left Bill on the right,1974 at a niter in Peterborough Pic was taken by Danny Daniels. Billy still cuts in on a dance floor till this day. Atb Irish

Edited June 23, 2013 by Irish Spinner

[Guest manusf3a]

Well just read your post thought you might like to see this pic Billy Bingham & Myself 1974 at a niter in Peterborough Pic was taken by Danny Daniels. Billy still cuts in on a dance floor till this day. Atb IrishIrish & Bill Bingham. 1974.JPG

Oh nice one mate I seem to remember you had a penchant for black vests for dancing in round that time I heard from Terry that you still go yourself these days with him and Danny P and John Mclure are you still doing the inner ear defying revoltions yourself.Cambridgeshire and my old home county,with Corby,Wellingborough,Kettering and surrounding places have always had a large contingement of all nighter people,good to know we had three of the best spinners.God bless Danny ,he will always remain aS one of the legends of the soul scene especially the moped incident.Atbmanus.

PS Surely any book written about the people and some of the exploits shady,dodgy and otherwise that made the scene so special such as suggested in another thread,such a compilation would have to have mention of Danny and the moped .

Edited June 23, 2013 by manusf3a

[Irish Spinner]

Oh nice one mate I seem to remember you had a penchant for black vests for dancing in round that time I heard from Terry that you still go yourself these days with him and Danny P and John Mclure are you still doing the inner ear defying revoltions yourself.Cambridgeshire and my old home county,with Corby,Wellingborough,Kettering and surrounding places have always had a large contingement of all nighter people,good to know we had three of the best spinners.God bless Danny ,he will always remain aS one of the legends of the soul scene especially the moped incident.Atbmanus.

Yes North Hants has always been a great corner stone for niter people and great soul music. The lads are some of the best you would ever want to spend a niter with. I pull of the odd more timely spin now and then but the extra 5 stone in weight slows the process down now days same Technic and try to stay on the spot lol. Oh Black never went out of fashion for me, dumped the vest for a T shirt lol Atb Irish 

Edited June 23, 2013 by Irish Spinner

[Len]

Oh Black never went out of fashion for me, dumped the vest for a T shirt lol Atb Irish 

 

……Well all these years later (I was 4 in 1974) your black attire (respectfully) scared the sh*t out of me!…….There I was on the way to Burnley (in the back of John McClures car), sat next to this ‘Dark Stranger’..……in the loud flowery ‘number’ that  I had chosen to wear on this occasion………Gawd…….

 

Hey Irish - Always a pleasure to meet one of the real originals ……what must you have thought?!......Actually, don’t answer that……….

 

All the best,

 

Len  

Edited June 24, 2013 by LEN

[Frankie Crocker]

Like the footwork, the acrobatic moves were emulated by the chosen few at the early soul clubs - the link can be seen in the old American Bandstand archive clips. For this reason alone, it's okeh to dance this way, to keep the spirit burning. Northern dancing is individual, freestyle dancing within the sixties/seventies dance style so pretty much anything is okeh within this time-frame context. Spinning was a hallmark of an accomplished dancer at Wigan but the acrobatics lingered on, perpetuated by Top of The Pops performances by Wigan's Chosen Few. As already mentioned in this thread, the 1977 'This England' programme featuring Wigan part-timers and beginner-spinners, gave the misleading impression that everyone danced on their hands when they weren't falling over. The Wigan dance competitions encouraged acrobatics up to a point with Sandy Holt winning one year doing his oft repeated routine, finely choreographed to the hand-on- hip, clenched fist and kung-fu kick: eye catching it was, soul it wasn't and the judges gave Sandy's act the big thumbs down a season later. Bottom line, dance to the music, not the mirror in the gym - if you've got it, flaunt it, but not in front of the cameras.