Peterborough Wirrina Songs

[Guest WPaulVanDyk]

Would love if anyone knows the sort of songs played at Peternborough Wirrina all nighters as might make my own cd. Already know of these songs

Bobby Hutton - Lend a Hand

Reggie Garner - Hot Line

Sam and Kitty - I've Got Something Good

Exciters - Reaching For The Very Best

Trammps - Hold Back The Night

Maybe Paul Donnerlly will kindly answer some of this

[Steve G]

Would love if anyone knows the sort of songs played at Peternborough Wirrina all nighters as might make my own cd. Already know of these songs

Bobby Hutton - Lend a Hand

Reggie Garner - Hot Line

Sam and Kitty - I've Got Something Good

Exciters - Reaching For The Very Best

Trammps - Hold Back The Night

Maybe Paul Donnerlly will kindly answer some of this

What period you talking about Paul? the Wirrina went through more than one period. Big in the mid 70's, along with the Cresset, but then the Fleet really took over; also some niters at the Wirrina in the Mid 80's (who can ever forget the one with the bomb scare?). Live acts in the 80s included Tommy Hunt, Jr Walker and Eddie Holman. Never went there in the 70's as I didn't live in the area then, so Paul and Nick are your men for that.

[Guest Baz]

also some niters at the Wirrina in the Mid 80's (who can ever forget the one with the bomb scare?)..

Im not 100% certain, but im sure my mate Dave Vanner was DJing that night, seem to recall him saying something about it, dont hold me to it though, was proberly pissed whae we were talking about it so might be completely wrong

[Steve G]

Im not 100% certain, but im sure my mate Dave Vanner was DJing that night, seem to recall him saying something about it, dont hold me to it though, was proberly pissed whae we were talking about it so might be completely wrong

He may well have been - also there were some run by Chris Burton where he facked off home without paying the DJ's .......great days

[TheBigO]

There was a bomb scare, place evacuated, rival promoter jailed etc. Great days. Also a load of London Boneheads coming down and trying to cause a riot but getting stopped in the hallway and world war 3 kicking off, result: a corridor full of bleeding bodies and WHY MR G have we not mentioned the in-house water feature everytime it rained, i.e: water p***ing thru the gaps in the roof onto the floor. Sounds I recall in the 80's included Dells 'Your Song'; Alfie Davidson ' LOve is A Serioius Business', JR Walker 'Tune Up' to name but 3, think have a list somewhere I will try and dig out and post later

Edited April 28, 2006 by TheBigO

[Nickg]

A friend of mine compiled a compilation some time back, called, rather tongue in cheek, "It could only happen in Peterborough" here's the first disc:

Frank WilsonDo I Love YouThe ShakersOne Wonderful MomentMickey MoonshineName It You Got ItThe SuperlativesI Still Love YouMr Flood's PartyCompared To WhatPhilip MitchellFree For AllMoses SmithThe Girl Across The StreetHolly St JamesThat's Not LoveJohnny CaswellYou Don't Love Me AnymoreLittle Carl CarltonCompetition Ain't NothinEddie HolmanI SurrenderShirley EllisSoultimeThe VibrationsCause You're MineDana ValeryYou Don't Know Where Your Interest LiesTaj MahalAin't That A Lot Of LovePointer SistersSend Him BackArchie Bell & The DrellsHere I Go AgainBeverly AnnYou've Got Your Mind On Other ThingsDean CourtneyI'll Always Need YouThe OriginalsSuspicionJunior WalkerTune UpJohnny JonesPurple HazeJulian CoveyA Little Bit HurtSister SledgeLove Don't You Go Thru No ChangesLew KirtonHeaven In The Afternoon

If anyone's interested, there's 3 more.

Nick

PS Based on the early 80's

[Sheep]

Would love if anyone knows the sort of songs played at Peternborough Wirrina all nighters as might make my own cd. Already know of these songs

Bobby Hutton - Lend a Hand

Reggie Garner - Hot Line

Sam and Kitty - I've Got Something Good

Exciters - Reaching For The Very Best

Trammps - Hold Back The Night

Maybe Paul Donnerlly will kindly answer some of this

Well I went to the first nighter, which was in the big sports hall, not the smaller next to it. Poke and seem to remember colin curtis or was it kev roberts was there, can't remember which, but first timed aired was - lost summer love, covered as wanda lewis (lorraine silver) and jackie de shannon -love is leading me, both played by a Mr Deller, think the sounds belong to a norfolk boy, which he boroughed from.

Be nice to get a sound recording of that night, does anyone have one.?

SHEEP

[Guest Netspeaky]

Would love if anyone knows the sort of songs played at Peternborough Wirrina all nighters as might make my own cd. Already know of these songs

Bobby Hutton - Lend a Hand (Mecca)

Reggie Garner - Hot Line (Mecca)

Sam and Kitty - I've Got Something Good (Torch/Va Va's or somewhere similar)

Exciters - Reaching For The Very Best (Mecca)

Trammps - Hold Back The Night (Mr M's - was were I first heard this on first w/e the LP came out in the UK, I had my own copy by following w/e) The 45 came out later.

Maybe Paul Donnerlly will kindly answer some of this

I would suggest that none of these were played in Peterborough first, but at the time when they were BIG they were played everywhere.

[Steve G]

and WHY MR G have we not mentioned the in-house water feature everytime it rained, i.e: water p***ing thru the gaps in the roof onto the floor.

That was condensation coming off of the ceiling.

[Guest miff]

Only Went once. EASC 2nd annervesery,. Cant remeber much apart from it raining condensation In the morning and throwing up under the seating. 1976 I think

Edited April 28, 2006 by miff

[Dave]

I would suggest that none of these were played in Peterborough first, but at the time when they were BIG they were played everywhere.

I didn't think he meant they were played in Peterborough first.

And at the risk of stating an arguement, I would suggest that one or two of them may have been played at Cleethorpes first, (like a few other "Mecca" records), apart from The Exciters which was played once/hour for a week on Radio Luxemburg.

[Guest Baz]

And at the risk of stating an arguement, I would suggest that one or two of them may have been played at Cleethorpes first

You mean, alot of the records that were actually said to be played first at the Mecca and Wigan, were actually played at Cleethorps first!!! surley not

[Guest]

I'm out tonight jocking with Smudge, Tony Dellar and Poke..so will report back later..

[Sheep]

I'm out tonight jocking with Smudge, Tony Dellar and Poke..so will report back later..

Paul

Can you ask Mr deller if he remembers playing wanda lewis aka lorraine silver, this would have been about 2-3 years before john vincent broke it at wigan, he must remember.? and who gave him the record to play, I know it was'nt his.

SHEEP

[Guest]

THE PETERBOROUGH EFFECTAs most olde soulies who are addicted to Northern Soul I was first introduced to our wonderful music via the local Youth Club, in my case Westwood.

During the late 60's I looked forward to the Friday/Saturday night Discoth¨ques, cropped hair, Prince of Wales check Harrington's, Levi Stay press and Cherry Red Loafers all part of growing up on one of Peterborough's toughest estates.

It was Desmond Decker, Dave & Ansill Collins, Symarip to most though I seemed attracted to the older lads preferred musical tastes of Homer Banks, Doris Troy, JJ Jackson, Archie Bell, The Impressions their acrobatic dancing and their talk of clubs "upt north" excited me...I was hooked and I suppose I have been ever since.

During the late 60's early 70's Clubs such as Peterborough's CLOUD NINE were a platform for many youngsters to venture to the TWISTED WHEEL MANCHESTER - THE LANTERN MK'T HARBORO - THE CENTRAL LEEDS or as in my case BLETSOE BEDFORD, Cloud Nine without doubt made a major contribution toward what is now one of the most respected areas for Rare Soul collectors and fans alike.

During the 70's numerous venues in and around the City opened their doors to this new sound that was sweeping the country, no longer was it confined to the North those from the south who had been traveling were bringing this wonderful music south in our case East and it all kicked off big time.

I have some fond memories of venues in the City such as THE SOUL 'OLE (Stanground), THE SOUL CELLAR, THE CAROUSEL CLUB, THE SPINNING WHEEL and THE CELLAR BAR STAMFORD.

To comment on all the above clubs would be unfair as each one made a significant contributions to the Northern Soul Scene in Peterborough however THE CAROUSEL CLUB @ THE WIRRINA was the catalyst for scores of Peterborough youngsters to be introduced to the Northern Sound

CAROUSEL CLUB-WIRRINA - PETERBOROUGH

I first attended this venue in 1971, a Tuesday night and the venue was Soul Dance across the board, Pete Edwards and Ian Freeman worked together to keep the Northern Soul fraternity happy. The evening became so popular that 500 plus people attended and to be honest if you got there after 8pm you didn't get in, so much was the success of "The Tuesday nights" that The Wirrina opened the doors Sunday night for a purely Northern Soul evening.

The Wirrina was synonymous with Northern Soul so it seemed perfectly in order to ask Andy Giles the Manager if we could have an all-nighter, to cut a very long story short permission was granted and we planned our first Phoenix Soul Club all nighter for March 7th 1975...I remember Andy Giles asking us how many we were expecting "no more than 300" was my reply the surprise of seeing over 200 waiting to get in ONE HOUR before we had opened the doors, I WAS PETRIFIED, over a 1000 came in through the doors that night and our regular 1st Friday every month all nighters attracted massive crowds.

Resident D'j's included Gary (Spena) Spencer, Steve (Jonah) Jones, Andy (Smudge) and likkle ole me, Paul Donnelly, we were later joined by Tony Dellar and John Vincent, the word was filtering through to the North of England about this venue and Jocks such as Searling, Curtis, Levine, Evison etc all made visits to the club as well as many Live acts such as Billy Butler, Major Lance and not forgetting the Exciters which packed nearly 2000 into two rooms.

It was a truly wonderful experience and it would be fair to say that the Wirrina/Phoenix All Nighters never received the attention that it's illustrious counterparts in the North were receiving indeed a number of tunes perceived as "Bigun's from Wigan" were in actual fact discovered and played by 3 spotty faced kids from Stanground Peterborough sometimes weeks before they were ever played at The Casino.

Our close proximity to Anderson at Soul Bowl ensured a steady stream of 'newies' which we took great delight in playing when Searling and the other big names came to town, there's not a drug in the world that can give you a buzz like Richard Searling walking over to the decks to cast his beady eye over something that he has never heard before, "yes!!!!"

The Phoenix Nighter came to abrupt end in 1976 when councilors were concerned about several issues, announced on the day of the monthly all nighter that "tonight is your last one guys" a week earlier we had signed a contract with Betty Wrights UK agents, she was flying over to the UK for two shows one at Wigan on the Saturday and one in Peterborough on the Friday, Betty Wrights agent insisted on full payment under the terms and conditions of the contract and despite a battle with the local authorities we agreed a payment of £1000 to Betty Wright.

That last all-nighter was an eventful evening as Dave Mindham one of the co promoters insisted that no one should be told that it was the last one as pre ticket sales for Betty Wright had been received and he was not in a position to refund that night, however the other guys thought different and at 3am I was given the microphone to advise that this was the last ever Phoenix All-Nighter,

Regards

Paul Donnelly

[Dave]

I'm glad you posted that up Paul

I looked for it recently on Martin's website, but couldn't find it. Seem to remember you posting up a Wirrina playlist on another forum a while back.... have you got it handy by any chance?

Edited April 28, 2006 by Dave

[Guest j a c k o]

Strangest one i remember at peterborough must have been early/mid eighties when there was a nighter at the Wirrina and the Fleet the same night.Seem to remember going between the 2 in someones 3 wheeler.

Jacko

[Guest]

THE PETERBOROUGH EFFECTAs most olde soulies who are addicted to Northern Soul I was first introduced to our wonderful music via the local Youth Club, in my case Westwood.

During the late 60's I looked forward to the Friday/Saturday night Discoth¨ques, cropped hair, Prince of Wales check Harrington's, Levi Stay press and Cherry Red Loafers all part of growing up on one of Peterborough's toughest estates.

It was Desmond Decker, Dave & Ansill Collins, Symarip to most though I seemed attracted to the older lads preferred musical tastes of Homer Banks, Doris Troy, JJ Jackson, Archie Bell, The Impressions their acrobatic dancing and their talk of clubs "upt north" excited me...I was hooked and I suppose I have been ever since.

During the late 60's early 70's Clubs such as Peterborough's CLOUD NINE were a platform for many youngsters to venture to the TWISTED WHEEL MANCHESTER - THE LANTERN MK'T HARBORO - THE CENTRAL LEEDS or as in my case BLETSOE BEDFORD, Cloud Nine without doubt made a major contribution toward what is now one of the most respected areas for Rare Soul collectors and fans alike.

During the 70's numerous venues in and around the City opened their doors to this new sound that was sweeping the country, no longer was it confined to the North those from the south who had been traveling were bringing this wonderful music south in our case East and it all kicked off big time.

I have some fond memories of venues in the City such as THE SOUL 'OLE (Stanground), THE SOUL CELLAR, THE CAROUSEL CLUB, THE SPINNING WHEEL and THE CELLAR BAR STAMFORD.

To comment on all the above clubs would be unfair as each one made a significant contributions to the Northern Soul Scene in Peterborough however THE CAROUSEL CLUB @ THE WIRRINA was the catalyst for scores of Peterborough youngsters to be introduced to the Northern Sound

CAROUSEL CLUB-WIRRINA - PETERBOROUGH

I first attended this venue in 1971, a Tuesday night and the venue was Soul Dance across the board, Pete Edwards and Ian Freeman worked together to keep the Northern Soul fraternity happy. The evening became so popular that 500 plus people attended and to be honest if you got there after 8pm you didn't get in, so much was the success of "The Tuesday nights" that The Wirrina opened the doors Sunday night for a purely Northern Soul evening.

The Wirrina was synonymous with Northern Soul so it seemed perfectly in order to ask Andy Giles the Manager if we could have an all-nighter, to cut a very long story short permission was granted and we planned our first Phoenix Soul Club all nighter for March 7th 1975...I remember Andy Giles asking us how many we were expecting "no more than 300" was my reply the surprise of seeing over 200 waiting to get in ONE HOUR before we had opened the doors, I WAS PETRIFIED, over a 1000 came in through the doors that night and our regular 1st Friday every month all nighters attracted massive crowds.

Resident D'j's included Gary (Spena) Spencer, Steve (Jonah) Jones, Andy (Smudge) and likkle ole me, Paul Donnelly, we were later joined by Tony Dellar and John Vincent, the word was filtering through to the North of England about this venue and Jocks such as Searling, Curtis, Levine, Evison etc all made visits to the club as well as many Live acts such as Billy Butler, Major Lance and not forgetting the Exciters which packed nearly 2000 into two rooms.

It was a truly wonderful experience and it would be fair to say that the Wirrina/Phoenix All Nighters never received the attention that it's illustrious counterparts in the North were receiving indeed a number of tunes perceived as "Bigun's from Wigan" were in actual fact discovered and played by 3 spotty faced kids from Stanground Peterborough sometimes weeks before they were ever played at The Casino.

Our close proximity to Anderson at Soul Bowl ensured a steady stream of 'newies' which we took great delight in playing when Searling and the other big names came to town, there's not a drug in the world that can give you a buzz like Richard Searling walking over to the decks to cast his beady eye over something that he has never heard before, "yes!!!!"

The Phoenix Nighter came to abrupt end in 1976 when councilors were concerned about several issues, announced on the day of the monthly all nighter that "tonight is your last one guys" a week earlier we had signed a contract with Betty Wrights UK agents, she was flying over to the UK for two shows one at Wigan on the Saturday and one in Peterborough on the Friday, Betty Wrights agent insisted on full payment under the terms and conditions of the contract and despite a battle with the local authorities we agreed a payment of £1000 to Betty Wright.

That last all-nighter was an eventful evening as Dave Mindham one of the co promoters insisted that no one should be told that it was the last one as pre ticket sales for Betty Wright had been received and he was not in a position to refund that night, however the other guys thought different and at 3am I was given the microphone to advise that this was the last ever Phoenix All-Nighter,

Regards

Paul Donnelly

Hi Paul

Good posting mate!

Cheers

Paddy

[Billywhizz]

Well I went to the first nighter, which was in the big sports hall, not the smaller next to it. Poke and seem to remember colin curtis or was it kev roberts was there, can't remember which, but first timed aired was - lost summer love, covered as wanda lewis (lorraine silver) and jackie de shannon -love is leading me, both played by a Mr Deller, think the sounds belong to a norfolk boy, which he boroughed from.

Be nice to get a sound recording of that night, does anyone have one.?

SHEEP

Sounds belong to mick maguire who did the cover up as wanda lewis and many more in the early 70's.

Billy

[Guest]

I have a live tapeof me d/jing from the Wirrina Ballroom dated June 1975 some of the stuff I can't remember so my apologies

Rimshotts - Do what you feel

Creative Source - Dont be afraid

Mandrill - Never Die

The Blossoms- C/up

Willie Mitchell - Whos making Love

Tommy Bush - I don't like it.

Billy Sharae - I'm gone

Al Wilson - Passport

The Pretenders - i wanna be

Marc Coppage-Who can I turn too

dont know what it is

5 degree Farenhiet- Just let your heart be your guide

Nolan Porter- If I can only be sure (LP TRACK)

Margo Thunder - Soul of a woman

Bobby Jason - Wall to Wall heartaches...played this and John Vincent paid me £6 on the spot for it

The Biddu Orch- The Exodus

Lorraine Chandler - What can I do

Kathy and The Calenders - Please Dont go---( sounds the dog bollcoks does this)

dont know what it is---lots of clapping to an instrumental

Johnny Newbag- Got to get you back

The Embers- Where did I go Wrong

The Atlanta Disco Band - Bad Luck

Southside Movement - Do it to me

Felix Caveleir- Never felt like love before

[Guest SteveC]

There was a bomb scare, place evacuated, rival promoter jailed etc. Great days. Also a load of London Boneheads coming down and trying to cause a riot but getting stopped in the hallway and world war 3 kicking off, result: a corridor full of bleeding bodies and WHY MR G have we not mentioned the in-house water feature everytime it rained, i.e: water p***ing thru the gaps in the roof onto the floor. Sounds I recall in the 80's included Dells 'Your Song'; Alfie Davidson ' LOve is A Serioius Business', JR Walker 'Tune Up' to name but 3, think have a list somewhere I will try and dig out and post later

Ah home sweet home - I may be barking up the wrong tree but weren't the " London Boneheads" Boro residents led by a certain Mr W, the man the coppers laughingly said had got further than anyone when he nicked a pedalo from Ferry Meadows in the 80's.

Never a dull moment in Boro - The cat fight between Karen Upchurch and another "lady" at The Wirrina and the guy with the shotgun at The Fleet. Alan Livett and his Alvin Stardust style leather gloves, whatever happened to him. Crazy John from Wisbech - nicest guy in the world but mental.

Happy days

[Nickg]

Ah home sweet home - I may be barking up the wrong tree but weren't the " London Boneheads" Boro residents led by a certain Mr W, the man the coppers laughingly said had got further than anyone when he nicked a pedalo from Ferry Meadows in the 80's.

Never a dull moment in Boro - The cat fight between Karen Upchurch and another "lady" at The Wirrina and the guy with the shotgun at The Fleet. Alan Livett and his Alvin Stardust style leather gloves, whatever happened to him. Crazy John from Wisbech - nicest guy in the world but mental.

Happy days

Steve,

You've hit the nail right on the head, happy days.

Might explain why Mr W has bought a house backing on to the river, next time I see him I'll say you asked !!

Nick

[Guest WPaulVanDyk]

Well that certainly helped. Great read on what Mr Donnerlly said. I even heard him on BBC local radio recently and ejoyed that. Now i have to print all this for my dad as he was the one attending these events all those years ago.

[Guest WPaulVanDyk]

The Other 3 complations would be great what Nick said he knows about

[TheBigO]

Ah home sweet home - I may be barking up the wrong tree but weren't the " London Boneheads" Boro residents led by a certain Mr W, the man the coppers laughingly said had got further than anyone when he nicked a pedalo from Ferry Meadows in the 80's.

Happy days

They may well have been Steve but I didn't get a chance to ask at the time, and memory isn't that great these days, as I was allowing said boneheads to have a real close-up look at my tin of Brut at the time!!! They were great days but it was always The Fleet that had the edge for us in those heady days of the 80's, hence the bomb scare incident etc etc. Fondest memory, snow everywhere outside the Wirrina, freezing our tits off as our mate Brian had locked the transit van we were all piled in and was 'entertaining' a certain lady - LOUDLY!!!!! The sight of the van rocking violently from side to side and the immortal words 'Your so big puppy dog!!!' echoing across the car park still haunt me and those there to this day

[Guest SteveC]

Steve,

You've hit the nail right on the head, happy days.

Might explain why Mr W has bought a house backing on to the river, next time I see him I'll say you asked !!

Nick

Funny old thing Nick - was only talking about Mr W with aguy from this forum in Dublin on Saturday (apologies but I'm terrible with names, could've been Sepia).

Always got on with him and the rest of the delinquents - fortunately. If you see him send him my best - if you can get a word in edgeways above his booming voice

They may well have been Steve but I didn't get a chance to ask at the time, and memory isn't that great these days, as I was allowing said boneheads to have a real close-up look at my tin of Brut at the time!!! They were great days but it was always The Fleet that had the edge for us in those heady days of the 80's, hence the bomb scare incident etc etc. Fondest memory, snow everywhere outside the Wirrina, freezing our tits off as our mate Brian had locked the transit van we were all piled in and was 'entertaining' a certain lady - LOUDLY!!!!! The sight of the van rocking violently from side to side and the immortal words 'Your so big puppy dog!!!' echoing across the car park still haunt me and those there to this day

Me and my mates were always Mr Averages Aren't guys awful - first thing that comes into your head is who was the saucy lady

Edited April 29, 2006 by SteveC

[Guest gibber]

Ah home sweet home - I may be barking up the wrong tree but weren't the " London Boneheads" Boro residents led by a certain Mr W, the man the coppers laughingly said had got further than anyone when he nicked a pedalo from Ferry Meadows in the 80's.

Never a dull moment in Boro - The cat fight between Karen Upchurch and another "lady" at The Wirrina and the guy with the shotgun at The Fleet. Alan Livett and his Alvin Stardust style leather gloves, whatever happened to him. Crazy John from Wisbech - nicest guy in the world but mental.

Happy days

Yes happy days , good old steve and his fleet card school

[Nickg]

Funny old thing Nick - was only talking about Mr W with aguy from this forum in Dublin on Saturday (apologies but I'm terrible with names, could've been Sepia).

Always got on with him and the rest of the delinquents - fortunately. If you see him send him my best - if you can get a word in edgeways above his booming voice

Will do Steve, I was/am the same as you, always got on well with that crowd.

He's certainly mellowed, deep down, a good guy.

Nick

[Guest markmtfc]

the bomb scare at wirrina, one of those nights so unforgetable

[Guest markmtfc]

Hes coming home, Beverley Anne, was massive early 81 82, along with , Love is a serious business, Competion, Little carl carlton

[Guest lovinthesoul]

The Wirrina and the Fleet all-nighters made up the 80s for me, being a young skinhead girl totally hooked on the rallies, it was great to have somewhere local to attend in between. You could get all the excitement, action and adventure you could wish for - yes I remember the bomb scare, pretty pi**ed off that we had to stop dancing and stand out in the cold for ages

Does anyone remember the power failure? It was a scootering all-nighter I think, with a skinhead band playing live (can't remember the name of the band). The drummer (I think his name was Cliff), kept the crowd amused playing his drums while others shone torches until the leccy came back on. Oh, and what about the scaffolding in the main hall, was I dreaming or did that collapse one night? I'm a little rusty having spent much off my youth under the influence of some stuff or the other (no mind altering drugs, I didn't need them, already been classed as a bit mad, so I didn't want to aggravate the situation).

I also remember the night Bunny Sigler played live at the Wirrina - LOVED IT - have no idea what year, but it was definitely during the eighties - I was too young for the 70s nighters didn't move to Peterborough until 1977

Tunes I remember. . .nope, need a little more time, not good at artist's names and it's hard to whistle a tune on t'internet! Will have a deep think and get back to you - that is, I'll have to ask my mates

Love is a serious business - now I do remember that one - NICE

[Steve G]

the bomb scare at wirrina, one of those nights so unforgetable

Yeah I had to start proceedings up when everyone was let back in - the atmosphere was great and everyone was determined to have a good time after that.

[Guest markmtfc]

Can anyone remember eddie holman, playing peterborough, he sang hey there lonely girl, and almost took the roof off

[Guest WPaulVanDyk]

that is rather jealous to say as you lot would have seen these acts when i was not even born or only a kid as born in 1980 wish i had been around then. More on here then i thought from Peterborough

[Guest markmtfc]

peterborough was well attended in the early eighties, far and wide, used to come by transit from Mansfield, or with the notts crowd, im sure i saw benny sigler there as well, and major lance cancelled on the same bill.

[Steve G]

Can anyone remember eddie holman, playing peterborough, he sang hey there lonely girl, and almost took the roof off

Yup remember that, and also tore the roof off with "Where I'm not wanted" of course.

Mark is also right about Bunny Sigler - I remember interviewing him for Blackbeat there.

Jr Walker was also on.

Heady days indeed!

that is rather jealous to say as you lot would have seen these acts when i was not even born or only a kid as born in 1980 wish i had been around then. More on here then i thought from Peterborough

Should start a new thread "Soul nights in Peterborough"....

[TheBigO]

Jr Walker was amazing! The 80s were great days, good times, fantastic people and loads of fab stories to tell about most venues. Still looking for the articles and top toons I have in the scrapbooks on the Wirrina and the Fleet (as they were on a par at the time.) Will post in next few days.

[Guest markmtfc]

Now then i remember that as well, wasnt it on the same bill. On about people, i once spent all nite rattling with a kid from Bristol, cant remember his name, but what I do know is he always brought home made cider, and used to drink all through the nite, as well as meeting martin from walsall, anyone remember him, used to speak with a really strong brummie accent, and worse of all 100 mph.

[Guest WPaulVanDyk]

soul nights already happen in Peterborough, i attend most of the Northern soul ones with dad and get to see hiw friends who again like him were there back in the old days

[veggie]

First allnighter in 73 at wirrina,great days.saw the exciters in the big hall.Then for some reason or other,the next live band to preform there was LIMMEY AND THE FAMLEY COOKING.they had a chart hit bout that time ,called you can do magic.Never could work out why they booked them for an allnighter

[Guest gibber]

Jr Walker was amazing! The 80s were great days, good times, fantastic people and loads of fab stories to tell about most venues. Still looking for the articles and top toons I have in the scrapbooks on the Wirrina and the Fleet (as they were on a par at the time.) Will post in next few days.

Plus a lot of new djs got givin a go at the Wirrina if i can remember Shaun Gibbons,Russ Towers, Iian Stewart , keith Brady ,John Buck ( john can you confirm m8 )Terry moyes, some more names any body? memory not as it was.

[Guest Russ Smith]

The Wirrina was my first nighter around 77 or 78.. ?

I know this was way past the best period but i loved every minute. From the worry about getting in (15 and short) to the vast semi emptiness and that old EASC board in front of the decks.

Soul Sam was on and the tape i made had Jimmy Burns, Johnny Hampton and Annette Hesterman on it.

I was hooked......A few months later i accompanied a few other teenagers on a trek to the Casino.

God it seems a lifetime away.

The Wirrina gave way to the Fleet of course , a nighter i tried never to miss.

What quality nights the town has hosted ! Quality...

[Guest SteveC]

Jr Walker was amazing! The 80s were great days, good times, fantastic people and loads of fab stories to tell about most venues. Still looking for the articles and top toons I have in the scrapbooks on the Wirrina and the Fleet (as they were on a par at the time.) Will post in next few days.

Best days of my life Neil. First in the mad crushing queue that off it doing Elvis impressions to bide the time. Straight in to left hand corner by stage as you look at it - bag down and dance 4 8 hours solid - no politics - no bitching just enjoying the music - which incidentally was a reflection of what was being played at Yate and Wigan. Lots more for us old codgers to drone on about - maybe we should chat next time Neil like sad old gits

Only went to The Wirrina under Dave Reeds Peterboro Soul Club banner in the early 80's. I'll chase some of the phots up too. Does anyone remember Austin from Scumbridge (Cambridge). Tall blonde guy who used dance quite uniquely ending each spin with a jump - nice guy. When Mr Mulholland returns from New Jersey he might want to enlighten us about the spiders he saw at one niter at The Fleet whilst sitting on the stage with rest of the Bedford crew. Happy days but most of all the bestest dancefloor.

[Guest gibber]

Best days of my life Neil. First in the mad crushing queue that off it doing Elvis impressions to bide the time. Straight in to left hand corner by stage as you look at it - bag down and dance 4 8 hours solid - no politics - no bitching just enjoying the music - which incidentally was a reflection of what was being played at Yate and Wigan. Lots more for us old codgers to drone on about - maybe we should chat next time Neil like sad old gits

Only went to The Wirrina under Dave Reeds Peterboro Soul Club banner in the early 80's. I'll chase some of the phots up too. Does anyone remember Austin from Scumbridge (Cambridge). Tall blonde guy who used dance quite uniquely ending each spin with a jump - nice guy. When Mr Mulholland returns from New Jersey he might want to enlighten us about the spiders he saw at one niter at The Fleet whilst sitting on the stage with rest of the Bedford crew. Happy days but most of all the bestest dancefloor.

Fleet my first all-nighter -79 ( Thank you Nogsy ) Met skinny guy with glasses Andy Rix , chewing gum on my arse and bollocked for telling somebody helping to get the gear in meaning decks and getting a lift home with Janet. Not bad for my first night on the dark side.

Happy days

Edited May 4, 2006 by gibber

[Steve G]

Only went to The Wirrina under Dave Reeds Peterboro Soul Club banner in the early 80's.

Saw Dave Reed a few weeks ago - had a nice chat with him.

[Guest]

Fondest memory, snow everywhere outside the Wirrina, freezing our tits off as our mate Brian had locked the transit van we were all piled in and was 'entertaining' a certain lady - LOUDLY!!!!! The sight of the van rocking violently from side to side and the immortal words 'Your so big puppy dog!!!' echoing across the car park still haunt me and those there to this day

In 75 or 76 at the Wirrina was looking for one of my mates, who shall remain nameless and was told he had gone out to his car to get something.

Went outside and eventually located his car only to find him "entertaining" a girl on the back seat so thought it would be a laugh to knock on the window.The young lady was horrified and tried to halt the proceedings but my mate had obviously passed the point of no return and carried on regardless.He never spoke to me for the rest of the night, can`t think why.

Then there was the time a couple were clearly at it under a pile of jackets in the corner. The jackets moved up and down in time to the beat perfectly.

Happy days.

[Guest SteveC]

Saw Dave Reed a few weeks ago - had a nice chat with him.

I was totally shocked to see him after many years at The Rocket a year or two ago. Sad to hear about his mum who not only was stunning but always helped Dave out with coach trips to events and sat at the front and used to be on the door too. What a great Mum - bless her - RIP.

Edited May 5, 2006 by SteveC

[Guest]

now for the scary bit.... are you ready........ Muriel Day (9 times out of ten) was first ever played at the wirrina!!!! Roger Wallhead 'found' it in a second hand shop in Kettering. After 'breaking it' on the scene as a cover-up he sold it to Ken Cox who imediately pressed it. How scary is that, wirrina responsible for muriel day, burn it down I say!!!!

Drove past it the other week, building still stands, sign still up, ship load of memories. first venue i heard mel britt, must have had something goin' for it! and the exciters were pretty good that night.

Edited May 14, 2006 by Coops

[Guest lovinthesoul]

It's took me a wee while but I've come up with a few tunes which I recall from the Wirrina days (80s), check out the following;

Cracking Up Over You - Roy Hamilton (love it!)

Where I'm Not Wanted - Eddie Holman (love it too)

You Don't Love Me - Epitome Of Sound (You told me that you loved me baby, don't you leave me baby.....yep can sing it, kareoke anyone?)

What - Judy Street (singalong and moderate dancer - nice)

I Gotta Feeling - Four Tops (great up-beat Motown track, puts a skip into my dance).

I Love Her So Much - The Majestics (excellent tune, up-beat and fun to dance to).

I'm In Love With Your Daughter - The Enchantments (forgot about his one, love the rhythm, what a cracker!).

Valentinos - Sweeter Than The Day Before (cool track for dancing - aren't most of them anyways!)

Hope these are OK (If they've already been posted, my apologies)

[Guest WPaulVanDyk]

That's prefect. plenty of songs for a CD.