A Bout Time They Let This Go

[Lovemusic]

The Mecca reunions have been quietly popping up annually over the past 4 years (number 4 this November) and I've enjoyed them all. Epic and the boys have been careful not to play the same tunes each time. Only Curtis plays the classics. This night happened after some of us remarked we never get to hear the bulk of what had originally been played, after a great spot from Steve at the Morecambe soul festival some years ago.

[Sooty]

That's the thing - Anniversary's are great!.....but somewhere down the line loads of events became 'as anniversary's'. In actual fact, they have put me off from going to anniversary's - 'what's to celebrate? (If so similar to the last event)

 

All the best,

 

Len  

 

P.s - 100 Club excluded.

 

....you'd have been kicked outta the City Stop wiv that attitude Grandpa.....wot u like Lenny???!!!!x 

What was the 'buzz' we had? Our records? Others music??? My honest memory and with hindsight....it was simply we enjoyed 'the craic'....WHATEVER!!!!!x Len....that is what that wave was.....! Shifty....Fudge and yerself and any other DJ who met me in the 90's will tell you it weren't what was in my box that made things happen! It was what the people who went to Wigan for....THE CRAIC'. Promoters...'gangsters'...DJ's....old school Soulies were all scratching their heads wondering what I was about Len....remember?? They'd forgot what a 'Soulie' was about really! Yes I was 32.....no I din;t know nowt...didn't need too....just a smile...hand shake...hug when meeting nationwide....and job done for the night....and we danced....end of. I/we had several Anniversary dooes and treated them extra special every one. Reduced entrance as a 'thank you'....free badges for all...tapes for the first 100 in the door...all kinds of 'party' stuff....and everyone was up for it.....U WOS THERE U SADDO!!!!! Grinned like a Cheshire at every one!x That was the Len I knew! I'm gonna call your local Social Services and ask em to rescue ure kids before u get ure pipe out and give em breathing problems....then i;m gonna tell Nina u been messing with miserable stuff on ere and she'll batter u into some flippin excitement I hope!!!hehe!x

 

Jeez....we is all dead a loooong time....init!x

 

LUV

SOOTY

X

 

St Ives re-union? I popped into the car park after having a meal at me friends restaurant in St Ives en route to London. Based on me experience of the car park and feed back from security firends and stuff since...it was busy and buzzing!x As said above.......original venue....celebrating 38 years of existence....and glad to have played me part in that journey for us all to still have it this day...for a party......I reckon...X

@@

~

 

Our badge in the 90's Len.....remember???? I meant what it said anyway...provided and paid for it to happen in more ways than money...it happened.and still does...wherever I will go irrelevant of whats spinning.....X 1500 badges went out and every one who got one felt the same and couldn't tell you what was played......!x

 

 

Wigan was about people. Perhaps...like in the early 90's....some may have forgotten that..........I didn't....and haven't.........sod The Startones.....and star turns......X

@@

~

 

EDIT.....I may have you wrong mate.....perhaps your saying the scenes lost it again? You'd know I suppose.........hmmm. Been here before ain't we....!x.. Let me think. Sorry if I wos harsh on yer....but I don;t like seeing u being Mr Misery and Unsatisfied before ure time Len......I'd miss that grin....honest...X

 

Edited September 25, 2013 by SOOTY

[Epic]

They have 'reunion's.  What's the difference?

 

 

Sorry I didn't get back to you earlier Pete ... been to the shop to get my missus a "Wedding Reunion" card ...........

[Len]

....you'd have been kicked outta the City Stop wiv that attitude Grandpa.....wot u like Lenny???!!!!x 

What was the 'buzz' we had? Our records? Others music??? My honest memory and with hindsight....it was simply we enjoyed 'the craic'....WHATEVER!!!!!x Len....that is what that wave was.....! Shifty....Fudge and yerself and any other DJ who met me in the 90's will tell you it weren't what was in my box that made things happen! It was what the people who went to Wigan for....THE CRAIC'. Promoters...'gangsters'...DJ's....old school Soulies were all scratching their heads wondering what I was about Len....remember?? They'd forgot what a 'Soulie' was about really! Yes I was 32.....no I din;t know nowt...didn't need too....just a smile...hand shake...hug when meeting nationwide....and job done for the night....and we danced....end of. I/we had several Anniversary dooes and treated them extra special every one. Reduced entrance as a 'thank you'....free badges for all...tapes for the first 100 in the door...all kinds of 'party' stuff....and everyone was up for it.....U WOS THERE U SADDO!!!!! Grinned like a Cheshire at every one!x That was the Len I knew! I'm gonna call your local Social Services and ask em to rescue ure kids before u get ure pipe out and give em breathing problems....then i;m gonna tell Nina u been messing with miserable stuff on ere and she'll batter u into some flippin excitement I hope!!!hehe!x

 

Jeez....we is all dead a loooong time....init!x

 

LUV

SOOTY

X

 

St Ives re-union? I popped into the car park after having a meal at me friends restaurant in St Ives en route to London. Based on me experience of the car park and feed back from security firends and stuff since...it was busy and buzzing!x As said above.......original venue....celebrating 38 years of existence....and glad to have played me part in that journey for us all to still have it this day...for a party......I reckon...X

@@

~

 

Our badge in the 90's Len.....remember???? I meant what it said anyway...provided and paid for it to happen in more ways than money...it happened.and still does...wherever I will go irrelevant of whats spinning.....X 1500 badges went out and every one who got one felt the same and couldn't tell you what was played......!x

 

 

Wigan was about people. Perhaps...like in the early 90's....some may have forgotten that..........I didn't....and haven't.........sod The Startones.....and star turns......X

@@

~

 

EDIT.....I may have you wrong mate.....perhaps your saying the scenes lost it again? You'd know I suppose.........hmmm. Been here before ain't we....!x.. Let me think. Sorry if I wos harsh on yer....but I don;t like seeing u being Mr Misery and Unsatisfied before ure time Len......I'd miss that grin....honest...X

 

 

He he, I ain't lost my grin mate, far from it - here's one especially for you  

 

You are correct of course - Your Anniversary's were a great celebration, and different from the 'last event', and of course there are others. Actually that's something that happens a lot now, some people are so sensitive and think everything is aimed at them - It's not, people are just giving 'general' opinions, and there is always 'an exception to the rule'  

 

"old school Soulies were all scratching their heads wondering what I was about Len....remember??" .....Absolutely, and I still am mate - You should be proud of that  

 

All the best,

 

Len  Still grinning, but it's good for us all to be reminded to do so - Thanks Sooty  

Edited September 26, 2013 by LEN

[Pete S]

The Mecca reunions have been quietly popping up annually over the past 4 years (number 4 this November) and I've enjoyed them all. Epic and the boys have been careful not to play the same tunes each time. Only Curtis plays the classics. This night happened after some of us remarked we never get to hear the bulk of what had originally been played, after a great spot from Steve at the Morecambe soul festival some years ago.

 

How can they have an authentic Mecca revival without Levine?

[Pete S]

Sorry I didn't get back to you earlier Pete ... been to the shop to get my missus a "Wedding Reunion" card ...........

 

Exactly.  

[dthedrug]

 epic, on 25 Sept 2013 - 7:18 PM, said:Do any of these venues have anniversaries ?

 

 MMMMMMMMM IS FOR MUPET, EH! YES, ALL OF THEM, NORMALY ONCE A YEAR, A BIT LIKE A BIRTHDAY.

HOWEVER "THE KNOCK ON THE DOOR 2 TIMES, UP THE TIMBER HILL IN THE BB, OR MY RECORD ROOM IS OPEN EVERY DAY 9PM TO 4.30AM AND PLAYS THE RECORDS THAT YOU WOULD HEAR FROM THE WHEEL TO KEELE TOP SOUND TODAY IS THE LATEST 100 CLUB 45, THAT ARIVED TODAY, I PLAY SOUL FROM YESTER YEAR AND I STILL TAKE GEAR, I PAY REGGAE WHEN I AM IRE  EVERY DOO HOLD A ANNIVERSARY, AND THE CLASS OF 72 IS THE TOP REVIVAL NIGHT IN THE UK,  OH YES IT IS  DAVE K 

[Missing Link]

How can they have an authentic Mecca revival without Levine?

Or indeed Les Cokell and Tony Jebb.....

[Epic]

Or indeed Les Cokell and Tony Jebb.....

Ian Levine does not want to be part of it.

Les Cokell is no longer with us

Tony Jebb no longer DJs & is not in the best of health

 

If we are going down this route why not mention Billy The Kid - Keith Minshull - Stuart Freeman !!!

[dthedrug]

 HI ALL  I must agree with the above TONY JEBB was &  the best, however integral for a MECCA revival, where will you get people to give the authentic atmosphere that the Highland had, it's also having a Keele all-nighter without me selling records and Mick Smith not doing his set, I would guess it would be dull & dim &. the dance floor covered in Vim  DAVE K

PS:- YES YOU ARE RIGHT ABOUT TONY, VERY SAD, THERE WAS TALK LAST YEAR OF A SPECIAL EVENT FOR HIM IN BLACKPOOL?

Edited September 26, 2013 by dthedrug

[Epic]

 HI ALL  I must agree with the above TONY JEBB was &  the best, however integral for a MECCA revival, where will you get people to give the authentic atmosphere that the Highland had, it's also having a Keele all-nighter without me selling records and Mick Smith not doing his set, I would guess it would be dull & dim &. the dance floor covered in Vim  DAVE K

PS:- YES YOU ARE RIGHT ABOUT TONY, VERY SAD, THERE WAS TALK LAST YEAR OF A SPECIAL EVENT FOR HIM IN BLACKPOOL?

There is a benefit night for him on November 29th in Blackpool.

 

Info here 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/168667893279666/326529247493529/?notif_t=group_comment_reply

Edited September 26, 2013 by epic

[Missing Link]

Ian Levine does not want to be part of it.

Les Cokell is no longer with us

Tony Jebb no longer DJs & is not in the best of health

 

If we are going down this route why not mention Billy The Kid - Keith Minshull - Stuart Freeman !!!

I know Ian Levine said he didn't want to be part of it unless it was actually at the Mecca which, of course, is impossible. I'm also aware of Les Cokell's demise and  the sad state of Tony Jebb's health.

 

I'm not really in favour of trying to recapture anything from the past as it's an impossible task. Anniversaries are fine if the club is still open (i.e. the 100 Club) but rather pointless if it has been shut and subsequently demolished for over 30 years. Also dressing up like you did 40 years ago when you're in your 50s or 60s is also rather sad. I remember laughing at the Teds when they had their revival in the mid 70s and they were only dressing up like they did 20 years before!

[Epic]

I know Ian Levine said he didn't want to be part of it unless it was actually at the Mecca which, of course, is impossible. I'm also aware of Les Cokell's demise and  the sad state of Tony Jebb's health.

 

I'm not really in favour of trying to recapture anything from the past as it's an impossible task. Anniversaries are fine if the club is still open (i.e. the 100 Club) but rather pointless if it has been shut and subsequently demolished for over 30 years. Also dressing up like you did 40 years ago when you're in your 50s or 60s is also rather sad. I remember laughing at the Teds when they had their revival in the mid 70s and they were only dressing up like they did 20 years before!

 

 

 

 

We tend to focus on the post '75 tunes - the jazz funk/disco - new release from that period stuff. We even dress normally too !!

Edited September 26, 2013 by epic

[Sooty]

He he, I ain't lost my grin mate, far from it - here's one especially for you  

 

You are correct of course - Your Anniversary's were a great celebration, and different from the 'last event', and of course there are others. Actually that's something that happens a lot now, some people are so sensitive and think everything is aimed at them - It's not, people are just giving 'general' opinions, and there is always 'an exception to the rule'  

 

"old school Soulies were all scratching their heads wondering what I was about Len....remember??" .....Absolutely, and I still am mate - You should be proud of that  

 

All the best,

 

Len  Still grinning, but it's good for us all to be reminded to do so - Thanks Sooty  

 

...observe the masses and do the opposite Len....I remember saying that to the 9 clubs who assembled at mine when I suggested we do our thing.....and it still stands....X What also still stands is i'm gonna get Nina to slap u......no harm in keeping u in check is there?!x Next thing u'll be hiding new vinyl in ure box and tellin' her you've had it for aaaaaaaggggesss....and it's a downward slide from there mate....and I care about yer....so slap it is...!x

@@

~

LUV

SOOTY

X

 

....and stop scratching....u'll hurt yersellf.....I ain't figured it since aged 5.......and neither have 20+ psycho's......but they're all better for the experience....!x

@@

~

[Len]

...observe the masses and do the opposite Len....

@@

 

 

Always have done mate - always will  

 

Len  

[dthedrug]

 Hi All ..Can I thank EPIC. for that thread, as it has led me to talk to old friends who I have not seen for 38 years, in particular to Judith Wilkinson who was Tony's wife, so I owe you one  DAVE K 

[Speedlimit]

Love the thread, but kn*ckered from the last one  .....I'll have a good 're-read' in a couple of days.

 

......One thought though - Steve, how come you did all the Wigan stuff, yet your attitude hasn't changed, and that's what it's all about (to me at least) - So where (dare I say it?) Did it all go wrong, attitude wise?

 

Maybe I'm concentrating  on those that 'popped' in to Wigan - There I think I've answered my own question.

 

......I can see it in ya eyes mate  

 

All the best,

 

Len  

Hi Len , my attitude as never changed as you know I love hearing new sounds , but around the time the casino closed a lot of people drifted from the scene for one reason or another.when they returned they didn't seem to be able to cope with all the new sounds  and the different genres  of music being played. It's only now that some are starting to accept some of these sounds, for me i'll always want to hear new sounds be it 60's 70's crossover or modern       

[Carty]

That was a cracking night at the tower,,   dont attend too many venues nowardays, maybe six or seven a year, I like the big room bursting at the seams places ( the ritz had  a few belters  not too long ago )    This  is just a personal preferance of course ,  i prefer this set up than thirty guys in some backroom somewhere convincing themselves they are the only ones doing it right , but if people want to do that , i have no issue with it .

[Len]

That was a cracking night at the tower,,   dont attend too many venues nowardays, maybe six or seven a year, I like the big room bursting at the seams places ( the ritz had  a few belters  not too long ago )    This  is just a personal preferance of course ,  i prefer this set up than thirty guys in some backroom somewhere convincing themselves they are the only ones doing it right , but if people want to do that , i have no issue with it .

 

Nice one mate - All except for the bit ....."convincing themselves they are the only ones doing it right"......I can only speak for myself and my 'fellows' in 'The Den' of course, but we simply play good soul music (no rules) and we're no better than the guys 'n' gals in the main room, most of which come and say hello, or have a friendly laugh at us 'doing our thing' - All good fun!  

 

All the best,

 

Len  

Edited October 4, 2013 by LEN

[Guest hot shot ron]

Right people I know i'll upset a few people on here , but ha ho that's life. What's getting my goat is this Wigan 40th anniversary thing . yea I attended the casino every week from 74 till it closed there was some great times had and SOME great record played ,but to celebrate a 40th anniversary for a venue which closed it's doors some 32  years a go is taking the p..s, Get over people, venues come and go they always have and they always will , there's no need for this to be rammed down our throats , No wonder the scene's in the state it's in . records that were played after the casino , Stafford ,etc are now only just starting to be accepted by the masses some 20 odd years after first being played. Events like this are only adding to the demise of the scene and the original ethos of the scene ,which was a hunger for new danceable records . Get real folk's these events are just money spinners for said promotors , they don't care about the current scene. I know i'll get slated but this had to be said

 

  :thumbsup:      you are obviously a dj sick of playing the old stuff or influenced by one who does. these anniversary things have to be called something.

[Citizen P]

That was a cracking night at the tower,,   dont attend too many venues nowardays, maybe six or seven a year, I like the big room bursting at the seams places ( the ritz had  a few belters  not too long ago )    This  is just a personal preferance of course ,  i prefer this set up than thirty guys in some backroom somewhere convincing themselves they are the only ones doing it right , but if people want to do that , i have no issue with it .

 

 

Carts lad, get yourself out more....

[richo991]

Same old sh-t same old thread different day blar blar blar time you lot moaned about something eles

                                                                                                                  move on