Leeds Queens Hall Festival All-Nighter 1974

[Ik001]

Visited a friends house this week to view his records to sell and we were mulling over the old times, as you do and I mentioned the All-nighter we attended in Leeds in 1974. Said he also went and even had an old poster he had acquired from outside.

He mentioned his experiences of the the night and likewise myself and just wondered if any "older" members of this site had any fond memories?

Also he may even sell the poster, although it is not the best of condition if anyone is interested? 

  

[Roburt]

First person to use the venue for a similar show was Pete Stringfellow a few years earlier (Whit Monday 68) ...  

Edited July 14, 2018 by Roburt

[Roburt]

August 68 Soul Allniter @ Queens Hall ... 

[Ik001]

One of the Soul Artists missing from the poster were The Exciters as "Blowing Up My Mind" was a big play at that time.

Would also be interested to know who the D.J's were?

[Twoshoes]

I can't really add much as I don't remember a lot about the night other than having a great time,my main memory is setting off for home in the morning on two borrowed scooters and mine breaking down after about three miles. We got talking to Tony Cummings the journalist who took a shine to one of the girls we knew who ended up living with him in London for a time.  I lost touch with the two mates I went with after a couple of years and have not seen a hide nor hair of either since, I've always wondered if they continued their love affair with the music or are the two piles of records lying in a dusty attic somewhere. 

[Paul R]

9 hours ago, ik001 said:

One of the Soul Artists missing from the poster were The Exciters as "Blowing Up My Mind" was a big play at that time.

Would also be interested to know who the D.J's were?

Willie Henderson and the Funky Sisters were not there, but  shit group called Hearts Of Soul were. 

[Arthur Fenn]

I went along, took me weeks to get the dust out of my hair 8-)

[Petedillon]

You had hair then Arthur?  We had our stolen Mark II Cortina stolen!! Terrible venue for any kind of music show.

 

[Roburt]

9 hours ago, PeteDillon said:

Terrible venue for any kind of music show.

But it had dancin for 10,000, what's not to like ??

[Mark B]

venue was absoulutely dire.

[Skegsoul]

Was the two worst niters I've ever been to, the dirt and dust was everywhere. Wasn't it a old tram shed or something ? 

[Ik001]

20 minutes ago, SKEGSOUL said:

Was the two worst niters I've ever been to, the dirt and dust was everywhere. Wasn't it a old tram shed or something ? 

It was a tram shed, with old slabs on the floor not a place to dance. The sound system was awful. But on the positive side I did hear for the first time, Saxie Russel, The Slow Fizz, Landslide and the Joker. Also remember the instrumental take of River Deep, Mountain High (not Les Mckann version) but have posted this on the forum before with no input. 

[Wicked]

I went there on a coach with the North Wales Soul Club, what a dump of a place. Sound system was dreadful my ears were ringing for days after. I do remember the Joker being played a few times that night, can't remember the DJs though. I think we had a better time going around some rough pubs in the city centre earlier in the night.

[Guest]

We gave up a nighter at the Casino for that frigging dump!

4 am, the sun came up through the shed roof and brought everyone down, a real dustbowl of a place where most of the acts didn`t show up, makeshift plywood sheets as dancefloors and most people crashed out on the concrete floor.

What more could you want?

[Northern Soul Uk]

Freezing Cold, No dance floor, Crap sound, but the artists and the tunes were A1.

[Rick Cooper]

On 14/07/2018 at 07:56, ik001 said:

One of the Soul Artists missing from the poster were The Exciters as "Blowing Up My Mind" was a big play at that time.

Would also be interested to know who the D.J's were?

This is the last ad in B&S for the Leeds Soul Festival. As you can see I'm listed as a "Super-Soul-Spinner" which is new to me but ,yes, I was one of the guilty party to the debacle. The first choice for the DJ line up would have been Richard,Russ, Ian, Collin, Kev and Keith. However the first four would have been busy that night and I don't think The Casino or The Mecca would have been very happy if they had appeared at Leeds. Kev and Keith would have been less tied down and worked for Chris Burton many times. Andy Hanley was DJing throughout the north so was a good choice and as I was living in Leeds I got added at the bottom of the bill. Hunter Smith, the owner of Jumbo Records and a really nice guy was an unusual choice as he wasn't considered "northern" and I'm not sure if he was there.

My recollections of the night are much the same as most people. Bad sound , dirty floor, rubbish dance area and whilst the acts were OK, setting up the sound systems meant the records were stopped and nothing happened apart from "testing testing 1 2 3" and howls of feedback. It's easy to criticise but at least Chris Burton tried to put something special on , it was probably too ambitious and the venue was not suitable.

I don't think I stuck it out till the end, especially as according to another advert in the same B&S I was DJing with Richard Searling at an all dayer in Barnsley the next day.

Rick

[Mr Fred]

On 15/07/2018 at 22:33, PeteDillon said:

You had hair then Arthur?  We had our stolen Mark II Cortina stolen!! Terrible venue for any kind of music show.

 

Yeh, So did Nobby Clark one sat night while visiting the "Central " his Ford Capri.  Let's face it car security back then was a joke. My locking petrol filler cap keys fit my car door and yes when you turned the key hey presto the door unlocked. Regards FRED 

[Ezzie Brown]

 think this dire event has been mentioned on here before ..........i went on a gloucester and cheltenham coach with some real good soulies ,lots of wheel and torch vets ............the whole thing was shit from start to finish...i seem to remember a concrete floor most of all ??? .......it was the start of me  finally walking away from the scene around 76 for 20 odd years.....complete rip off ......ez

[Northern Soul Uk]

3 hours ago, ezzie brown said:

 think this dire event has been mentioned on here before ..........i went on a gloucester and cheltenham coach with some real good soulies ,lots of wheel and torch vets ............the whole thing was shit from start to finish...i seem to remember a concrete floor most of all ??? .......it was the start of me  finally walking away from the scene around 76 for 20 odd years.....complete rip off ......ez

Yes it was rubbish Ezzie, but I seem to remember there were some dance podiums scattered around the flood willy nilly, not that that made it any better like LOL , I was a dancer back then and don't think I even bothered.

Edited July 20, 2018 by Northern Soul UK

[Gogger]

Probably the worst night of my life ever, on paper it should have been one of the best,

[Roburt]

A pic from an earlier event @ the venue (unfortunately, of a pop group on the bill) .... nothing wrong with the place (as a niter venue) as far as I can see ... 

[Mark B]

Roburt it was a shithole it was an old tram depot concrete floors covered in dust huge place no real dancefloor toilets were worse than wigan if thats possible. it was cold the place didnt have any redeeming factors.

[Roburt]

Mark B ... why do you think I put that emoji after my comment ... coz I was being sarcastic about it being a suitable venue.

[Samplat]

Remember it well. Complete doss hole

[Mark B]

On 16/10/2018 at 17:37, Roburt said:

Mark B ... why do you think I put that emoji after my comment ... coz I was being sarcastic about it being a suitable venue.

didnt see it 

 

[skiinspain]

Remember it well meeting up in Werneth, Oldham with a gang of youthful soulies all good friend's to get the coach . It was everything that's already been quoted. BUT we where 16-18 year olds and going on an adventure. So we made the best of it no matter what. Still has the record for the biggest gathering of your soulies ever. So still proud I was there. Forget the dross it was exciting and fun and the scene still can be now depending on where you go, who with and most importantly the MUSIC. Keep the Faith & the Fun make of it what you will while you still are able.

[Rick Scott]

On 15/07/2018 at 21:57, Arthur Fenn said:

I went along, took me weeks to get the dust out of my hair 8-)

You Had Hair ?! 

[Tim Richmond]

No great memories I'm afraid, I took some pictures, still have them, pretty poor, I was too far from the stage. I also have a flyer, lots of acts mentioned that did not appear.

Tim.

[Tim Richmond]

More..... I recall two tunes from that night, Dynamics on Top Ten, played by Kev Roberts, most of us had not heard it before, the other, oh dear...... Hawaii Five O by The Ventures. Just goes to show that records that have absolutely nothing to do with Soul Music are nothing new!!

Tim.

[Back Street Blue]

On ‎12‎/‎12‎/‎2018 at 12:17, skiinspain said:

Remember it well meeting up in Werneth, Oldham with a gang of youthful soulies all good friend's to get the coach . It was everything that's already been quoted. BUT we where 16-18 year olds and going on an adventure. So we made the best of it no matter what. 

Went to get tickets for this from Hime & Addison with Wrighty and Mick Malone from Shaw.

I didn't get to the event which was the first Niter for them and a few of my other mates and kick-started things for quite a few of us younger Oldham kids.

[Guest]

12 minutes ago, back street blue said:

Went to get tickets for this from Hime & Addison with Wrighty and Mick Malone from Shaw.

I didn't get to the event which was the first Niter for them and a few of my other mates and kick-started things for quite a few of us younger Oldham kids.

I was supposed to go, and actually really looking forward to it. Was getting a lift from Goldie from Stoke, but it fell through, and ended up at a less than full Casino. From all that I've been told over the years, I was lucky! More room than usual on the dance floor, and an abundance of available gear!

[skiinspain]

4 minutes ago, back street blue said:

Went to get tickets for this from Hime & Addison with Wrighty and Mick Malone from Shaw.

I didn't get to the event which was the first Niter for them and a few of my other mates and kick-started things for quite a few of us younger Oldham kids.

Hi was that Pete Wright ?. Spent a lot of time in Shaw at the Motown upstairs in the dance room great early days fab music. Use to get hand stamped and go across road to pub to get a drink then back for a dance. High Crompton boots boys was it ?. Steve Smythe ?.Big Bob Sweatman was on the door. Yeah Oldham was good early 70s the Magnet Pub at Mumps bridge. Cats Whiskers. Oldham bus garage with Kev Roberts & Clarence. Good times.

[Citizen P]

An early thread on this has it described as "The Dunkirk of the soul generation" or something similar-which sums it up perfectly and remains one of the best quotes... Ever !!

 

[Back Street Blue]

Just now, skiinspain said:

Hi was that Pete Wright ?. Spent a lot of time in Shaw at the Motown upstairs in the dance room great early days fab music. Use to get hand stamped and go across road to pub to get a drink then back for a dance. High Crompton boots boys was it ?. Steve Smythe ?.Big Bob Sweatman was on the door. Yeah Oldham was good early 70s the Magnet Pub at Mumps bridge. Cats Whiskers. Oldham bus garage with Kev Roberts & Clarence. Good times.

Yes Mate, grew up with Pete and was out with him and old Royton Skin Gary Riley and Pete "Dickie" Davis a couple of weeks back.

"HCHBB" (High Crompton & Heyside Boot Boys-Starks, Witty, Steve Smythe et al were Motown regulars......I was too young to get in.

 

 

[skiinspain]

OWow bloody hell great to hear. I worked at Seddons Smythy was there for a while. Later years I ended up playing football for the Pineapple for a few years with Steve & Pete. Smythe lived on same street as me Charter st bottom of Oldham edge, bargap.When we where little kids.Wrighty used to come to Hollinwood Soul club the two bald blokes do for years. I was a scooter boy early days back then with the Lee's skins but had friends through music & football & scooters with all locals Derker skins. Royton lot etc etc. Lived in SPAIN last 15 years still collecting & DJing over here. We got a good scene in Spain the Spaniards love it.Say Hi to em for me next time. Cheers. Ski as they'll remember me. Brilliant memories. Thanks.

[Guest]

4 hours ago, back street blue said:

Yes Mate, grew up with Pete and was out with him and old Royton Skin Gary Riley and Pete "Dickie" Davis a couple of weeks back.

"HCHBB" (High Crompton & Heyside Boot Boys-Starks, Witty, Steve Smythe et al were Motown regulars......I was too young to get in.

 

 

Gary Riley? Wasn't he the top boy in Royton skins? My little sister Kath went out with him once or twice if I remember right. Knew him from Royton youth club. 

 

[Back Street Blue]

18 hours ago, Joey said:

Gary Riley? Wasn't he the top boy in Royton skins? My little sister Kath went out with him once or twice if I remember right. Knew him from Royton youth club. 

 

That's yer man......United Top Boy too BITD

[Back Street Blue]

19 hours ago, skiinspain said:

OWow bloody hell great to hear. I worked at Seddons Smythy was there for a while. Later years I ended up playing football for the Pineapple for a few years with Steve & Pete. Smythe lived on same street as me Charter st bottom of Oldham edge, bargap.When we where little kids.Wrighty used to come to Hollinwood Soul club the two bald blokes do for years. I was a scooter boy early days back then with the Lee's skins but had friends through music & football & scooters with all locals Derker skins. Royton lot etc etc. Lived in SPAIN last 15 years still collecting & DJing over here. We got a good scene in Spain the Spaniards love it.Say Hi to em for me next time. Cheers. Ski as they'll remember me. Brilliant memories. Thanks.

Nice one Ski..............I also grew up with Ste Smithies (Big Boomer) who you'll also know from the Pineapple.

My mate Lemmy was at Seddons, he was Crossley Skins and also  a Wigan regular, and still out and about.

All the Best mate

 

Edited January 4, 2019 by back street blue