Soul In Liverpool.?

[Paul Shirley]

hi there was at Dudley a couple of week's ago and got talking to a guy from Liverpool I asked about the scene in Liverpool he said there wasn't one and had never been one. Do you know I'd never thought about it and it suddenly dawned on me that I couldn't remember anyone going on about a northern soul nighter , dayer or soul night in Liverpool so is there or was there one ? regards Simon.

simon the guy who told you this is wrong fair enough there wasn't much northern  in the city of liverpool but  merseyside is a big place mate there are and have been many soul do's in fact just as many if not more than any other  county  , last time i spoke to you simon was at the southport northern  wkender merseyside ,but anyway before that event  anyone on the modern scene will tell you the biggest wkender and longest running modern soul weekender not just in this country but in europe it started back in 87 twice a year and is stil going but moved down south ,  the most they had in at one time was 8000. but  sad to say due to the confusion at pontins with britannia hotels taking over the promotors decided to move the event down south around two or 3 years ago

 

i also think many people on this thread are forgetting this scene was underground many years ago'  back in the early 70s most people i knew didn't have a clue about it and some that did know wasn't interested ,it just didn't appeal  to as many people as folks are making out on this thread 

Edited May 23, 2013 by steptoe

[Paul Shirley]

edit

Edited May 23, 2013 by steptoe

[Guest Byrney]

simon the guy who told you this is wrong fair enough there wasn't much northern  in the city of liverpool but  merseyside is a big place mate there are and have been many soul do's in fact just as many if not more than any other  county  , last time i spoke to you simon was at the southport northern  wkender merseyside ,but anyway before that event  anyone on the modern scene will tell you the biggest wkender and longest running modern soul weekender not just in this country but in europe it started back in 87 twice a year and is stil going but moved down south ,  the most they had in at one time was 8000. but  sad to say due to the confusion at pontins with britannia hotels taking over the promotors decided to move the event down south around two or 3 years ago

 

i also think many people on this thread are forgetting this scene was underground many years ago'  back in the early 70s most people i knew didn't have a clue about it and some that did know wasn't interested ,it just didn't appeal  to as many people as folks are making out on this thread

But what's interesting to me is that in places like Manchester, Nottingham, Stoke, Wigan, Bedford, Peterborough etc etc lots of people knew about this underground early 70s Northern Soul Scene and by 77 round my neck of the woods it was almost mainstream, from pubs, discos, nighters, dayers right though to youth clubs.

But not Liverpool - the city missed out on this incredible scene with incredible records for the most of the 70s 80s 90s and then around the 00ties a few nighters at Magnet happened. still can't get my head around what was different about Liverpool to miss this. Can't see me getting an answer to this little quandry though

[Winsford Soul]

But what's interesting to me is that in places like Manchester, Nottingham, Stoke, Wigan, Bedford, Peterborough etc etc lots of people knew about this underground early 70s Northern Soul Scene and by 77 round my neck of the woods it was almost mainstream, from pubs, discos, nighters, dayers right though to youth clubs.

But not Liverpool - the city missed out on this incredible scene with incredible records for the most of the 70s 80s 90s and then around the 00ties a few nighters at Magnet happened. still can't get my head around what was different about Liverpool to miss this. Can't see me getting an answer to this little quandry though

In my opinion, Liverpool had its own music scene ie beatles, merseybeats, Freddie n the dreamers etc and they where still hanging on to the sound and culture of such well into the 70,s, then they had the 80,s bands Frankie goes to Hollywood, the farm etc so they thought they where the centre of the musical world again so why would they need anything else. . I worked in huyton in liverpool from 75 till 82 so I am in a good position I think to reply

Ste

[Guest Byrney]

In my opinion, Liverpool had its own music scene ie beatles, merseybeats, Freddie n the dreamers etc and they where still hanging on to the sound and culture of such well into the 70,s, then they had the 80,s bands Frankie goes to Hollywood, the farm etc so they thought they where the centre of the musical world again so why would they need anything else. . I worked in huyton in liverpool from 75 till 82 so I am in a good position I think to replySte

That fits with the views I got from lads my age when I lived in Liverpool - kind of a myopic "that's for woolies not us", but I was hoping for an alternative view from contributers living in Liverpool...

What a missed opportunity compared to other towns and cities on their doorstep who were part of something quite amazing.

[Quinvy]

A few years ago I nipped out of work one night to go to the supermarket for some food. Radio2 is always set on the radio in my car and there was a program on that night all about this very topic. Obviously I couldn't listen to the whole show, but the gist of it was that, Liverpool was set to become THE soul Capitol of the Uk in the early sixties. But the Mersey Beat exploded and soul music was pushed out of the picture. Manchester took over the soul town mantle.

[bri phill]

            

 

As Denbo said much earlier in this thread,the subject has been covered severally before.Billy Butler was playing soul at The Cavern during the packed  60's lunchtime sessions,and indeed used to get a plentiful supply of American imports via the docks.These included possibly the first copy on these shores of Richard Temple's classic,although I think it's fair to say that Billy was always a soul fan as opposed to purely Northern.His dj sessions at the Mardi were the highlight of my week for quite a while,and although I'd been buying soul since the early 60's,there was always stuff in those spots that I had to go and ask about......then I started djing myself in Liverpool in the early 70's,with weekly train trips to Record Corner in Balham for the latest American imports.The implication that Liverpool was/is devoid of soul ether then  or now is patently untrue,although for whatever reason there was never really a venue that would attract visitors from outside the Merseyside area.

100% correct. Billy Butler had plenty of NS classics and I think the first copy of Do The Temptation Walk.

My first Auction list I did Billy put a few offers in,at the time The Mardi Gras was a massive allniter and had all the soul acts appearing but I don't think it attracted non Liverpudlians

So soul was always popular all the pop groups covered it and clubs played it.

It just didn't graduate into full blown rare and northern like The Wheel did and then in the 70s other clubs.

Quite a few scousers came to The Wheel  I remember being had over by a couple during  a record  deal back in 68 

Edited May 23, 2013 by bri. phill

[Paul Shirley]

100% correct. Billy Butler had plenty of NS classics and I think the first copy of Do The Temptation Walk.

My first Auction list I did Billy put a few offers in,at the time The Mardi Gras was a massive allniter and had all the soul acts appearing but I don't think it attracted non Liverpudlians

So soul was always popular all the pop groups covered it and clubs played it.

It just didn't graduate into full blown rare and northern like The Wheel did and then in the 70s other clubs.

Quite a few scousers came to The Wheel  I remember being had over by a couple during  a record  deal back in 68 

i knew a few manc's old soul boys that came to the sink club on a regular basis they told me that during the 60s the sink was just as popular as the wheel

[bri phill]

i knew a few manc's old soul boys that came to the sink club on a regular basis they told me that during the 60s the sink was just as popular as the wheel

The Sink I believe was popular but not to many outside the Liverpool that's why the came to Manchester as did everyone else when their favourite clubs closed or changed music policy like The Mojo and The Nite Owl etc

The Wheel was by a million miles the main allniter from 68 onwards.

[Paul Shirley]

the blokes that came to the sink from manchester were i believe pretty well known but not to me i'm afraid but i will find out exactly who they were and pm you there names, but  regarding the two clubs they were both popular with the mods i believe long before the northern soul tag,  the original wheel on brazennose st 

 i understand played a great deal of r&b same as the sink did , what  i should have said was both clubs were popular with the people  in to early r&b and soul ,but the wheel went on to play more  american imports and what then became northern soul i think thats when  they came to manchester as you put it,

 

i just found these two bits on the net folks might find interesting 

Al's Soul Shack - The Venues - The Sink, Liverpool

soulman1949.com/sink/sink.html

 

www.modculture.co.uk/feature-sinking-back-into-the-past

 

regarding why northern soul didnt catch on in liverpool im not that sure but i think i might have the answer for the later years ....there has always been a large student population in liverpool in the late 70s the indie thing took off and was big with the student population infact it still is, also acid house and the likes , hence cream and cream fields , i think its the older genaration of soulies up and down the country that kept northern / rare soul alive , in liverpool there simply wasn't that many from the start  but it would  be definately wrong to say there wasn't any soul in liverpool

 

disclaimer ( i could be wrong and if so im not that  bothered) 

Edited May 24, 2013 by steptoe

[Guest Mrs M]

I know a few people from Liverpool who have been on the Soul Scene years. Apologies if this man has been mentioned but what about Jimmy Buff from Speke? A real soul man now in his 60t's but still in regular attendance up and down the country. Original Twisted Wheel boy, massive knowledge right through from Oldies to your Modern/Crossover with a huge vinyl collection. You've also got Jim and Sean Kenny, two brothers from Broad Green now living on The Wirral but both attended Stafford, Shotts, 100 Club, Bradford etc. Sean in particular has fantastic knowledge and not too many years ago had a fabulous collection of magic semi unknowns. Then you have a lady who I have to say never fails to impress me with her taste and knowledge, Carol Isis. Not sure if Carole is a true scouser but resides in Liverpool.

I also remember attending a great soul night back in the late 9t's at oddly enough a Sailors Club, playing magic records across the board. Sadly, it didn't have many nights due to, and again oddly enough, sailors out on leave who were always kicking off and fighting.

[Chris O]

^{I lived in Liverpool 15+ years and been in Merseyside all my life  [southport] and I know more northern fans/ niter regulers in warrington than here and in southport / widnes /st Helens even flippin ormskirk to be fair .. my ol man was a proper scouser [the shame] and twisted wheel regular and said there was no specialist soul clubs in the 6ts tho obviously soul music got played. stan and pats sink club was about the only proper soul night I ever knew of and I think they over romanticised that clubs soul involvement in the 6ts from what I been told. billy butler had boss records and I believe some djs [searling ?] got some good bits from him like the len barry Lp acetate and uk 45 classics. Remember a guy from Birkenhead I used to go to niters with in the 8ts but that's about it from my hazy memory. Don't know if any of this would stand up in a court of law but theres my 10p worth anyway. cheers chris}

[Wicked]

I knew some top lads from Widnes that went every week, remember one called Duncan Barrow??

Also, the LEGENDARY Bupa (Spelling?) was from Widnes.

Also know a few more, one lad called Neil from Runcorn (really tall lad), top collector, had loads of rarities.

 

Aid.

 

Edit: should add, Bupa's day was way before mine (when it was really good ;-)).

I remember a tall lad called Neil from Runcorn always had a bag of Uncle Joes Mintos with him, probably not the same one also found an old wallet a while back with a Wigan membership card and the names of some girls we Knew Dot, Bev and Denise Somerville road Widnes, anyone remember them?

[Eddyw]

I remember a tall lad called Neil from Runcorn always had a bag of Uncle Joes Mintos with him, probably not the same one also found an old wallet a while back with a Wigan membership card and the names of some girls we Knew Dot, Bev and Denise Somerville road Widnes, anyone remember them?

neil mercer , he always had some sweets with him , I`m from Runcorn ,  but the wife is  from Widnes , she told me the girls may be these,

 

 

Bev Eustace   ( Rip )

 

Dot Shropshire

 

Denise Myers ,

 

most times had a small box of records for sale , cannot remember for sure who he travelled up with , was Downie from Runcorn for a while ,

atb Eddy

[Zed1]

 I`m from Runcorn ,  but the wife is  from Widnes ,

 

 

And everyone says that mixed marriages never work eh, Eddy!....

 

Didn't Neil travel with his Girlfriend (Alison?) and sometimes his sister?....

[MrsWoodsrules]

And everyone says that mixed marriages never work eh, Eddy!....

 

Didn't Neil travel with his Girlfriend (Alison?) and sometimes his sister?..

 

If it's the same lad, which I'm pretty sure it is, I went to watch Echo & The Bunnymen live at Buxton Pavilion once, early 80ish, Neil gave me and my mate a lift in his car, when we got back, he went straight on the the Casino, I'd stopped going by then.

[Eddyw]

And everyone says that mixed marriages never work eh, Eddy!....

 

Didn't Neil travel with his Girlfriend (Alison?) and sometimes his sister?....

hi gaz ,  yes Alison ( forgot her name )  did go for a bit , I am sure she was mad on those snoopy toys ? , Neil spent a fortune  on them for her , I wonder where she is now ? , didn't Neil have a  old blue 1100 ford escort mk 3, I am sure it over heated once going to Stafford or stoke . 

[Guest lambrettanik]

both my mum and dad are scousers born and bred,and were mods back in the 60s,ive asked this question before,there wasnt a massive soul scene in the city amazingly as it had all the right ingredients,they would do the usual clubs,sink,iron door,cavern etc,even used 2 travel the wheel and pendulum in manchester,think it was because of the strength of the mersey beat scene that pushed soul out off the city.as a city it had some potential that was never tapped into.and still has a few venues that could be used as allnight soul events-graffton rooms for example had mod alldayers back in the 80s but never managed to ignite the flame of interest