John Anderson R.I.P.

[Chalky]

Shocked to hear of the passing of John Anderson.  A name synonymous with Soul music in this country and Northern Soul in particular.   A giant of a man who has done more than most, his record finds far greater than anyone else.  Words like legend are more often than not wrongly attributed to people who don’t deserve such praise but John more than deserves the word and many others, legendary he was and he will be sadly missed. 
 

My thoughts with his family and friends.

R.I.P. John
 

 

Edited October 4, 2019 by Chalky

[Dewsburyborn]

John's son Stuart told me last night that JA had died at home in his sleep Wednesday night - he had been back in hospital for a couple of weeks.

Edited October 4, 2019 by dewsburyborn
typo

[Rich B]

A very sad day, quite apart from his significance in the world of music, he was a truly lovely guy, always willing to give you the time, and full of fascinating tales.

A man who will be missed.

Edited October 4, 2019 by Rich B

[Blackpoolsoul]

RIP John, a creator of history on the "Scene", a sad sad day, today

Fantastic articles here about Soul Bowl and Grapevine

 

 

[Kegsy]

I can only agree with what Chalky says above, someone who was almost single handedly responsible, for the development of the scene's music.

I just wish I had a quid for every time i'd heard him tell me "sorry that's gone".

Edited October 4, 2019 by Kegsy

[Mal C]

Shocking news...

Rest in peace John... 

[Goldsoul]

A very sad day indeed. The true master of vinyl for half a century. 

Had many chases with him in the US back in the day. He generally won!

His mentor the late Bernie Binnick was also a friend  

Rest in peace dearest John.  

[Md Records]

R.I.P. John

Des

[Pablorally]

Sad news. RIP John...

[Jumpinjoan]

So very sad. Still recall racing round Marsh Farm mid-week trying to find a working phone box after receiving his lists, rereading while running just in case I missed something.

Rest in peace John x

[Speedlimit]

Rip John a true legend and the man whom I consider responsible for the countries top three Dj, s being on top of their game so long. Richard, Sam and Butch, 

[vince ayres]

Such sad news. R.I.P. John and thank you for the great memories of you and allowing me to trawl through the mountains of vinyl in your barn, a true Gentlemen and an absolute legend.

[Philb]

Sad news indeed, my condolences to Johns family. 

[Guest]

I remember, as a young soulie, speed reading his lists on the bus to work seeing what I could afford that particular week. RIP John. 

[Mick Holdsworth]

It's a shock to hear this, very sad.

[Neal Bull]

So sad, great man the best  soul supplier 

R.I.P.

[Mark Soul]

sad news indeed bought my first northern records late 70s great guy r i p john 

[Ritchieandrew]

I had the pleasure of meeting John at an All dayer in Whitchurch.  I had just bought a "Tightrope" UK Stateside demo, he took one look at it and said "thats what you call a record....they don't make them like that anymore."  Well John R.I.P.......................they don't make Influential Soul People like you anymore. !!

[bozaboy]

A sad day indeed. A small but significant part of my soul journey has passed. My memories of my weekly phone call to Soul Bowl will always be part of my personal history. Rest easy brother. 

[David Meikle]

I first met John in my home town of Glasgow in 1969.

We used to meet up in Paterson’s store in Buchanan Street most lunchtimes listening to UK 45’s in those iconic record booths. John’s wife Marissa was always with him.

I met Charlie Rees in Benidorm in May and he told me her passing had hurt him badly.

I have just realised it’s 50 years since we first met. Where has the time gone?

I recall visiting his home in Glasgow and squeezing past the record boxes on the verandah. They were mainly albums. John’s taste in Soul Music at that time was definitely of the balladry variety. I lost touch with him when he moved to England and often wondered if that ever swung in the direction of so called Northern Soul.

I told him about the Twisted Wheel and the wonderful 45’s played there. When it came to Round Robin however he gave a typical Glasgow response. Listening to that recently I see where he was coming from LOL. 

I’ve still got some of his old Glasgow address record lists at home. A time of innocence which has long been lost in those ensuing 50 years.

Finally, I’m so proud that someone who was brought up in the infamous district of Pollok in Glasgow played such a huge part in our amazing scene.

John Anderson...thanks a million!

[Corbett80]

RIP very sad news.

[David Meikle]

Sorry, I don’t know who took this photo but it speaks volumes.

edit: October 21st. The owner appears to be Neckender as per Soul Bowl thread.

Edited October 21, 2019 by David Meikle
Owner of photo added.

[Garethx]

Sad news. John Anderson was the record dealer all other record dealers wanted to be when they grew up. 

[Wheelsville1]

24 minutes ago, Garethx said:

Sad news. John Anderson was the record dealer all other record dealers wanted to be when they grew up. 

I remember talking to John a good few years ago at cleethorpes weekender,I asked him if he had brought anything tasty with him.He handed me a 25 count box,when I saw what was in it my eyes nearly popped out on stalks.He was and will always remain The Man. Chris. 

[Winsford Soul]

John Anderson.  The man responsible for the sound track of my life. Thank you.  Sleep well and rest in peace 

Steve 

[Uk Soul]

Really sad news

R.I.P. John

[El Corol]

The original "crate digger"

R.I.P. John

[Keamus]

Very sad news. Bought some great records from him back in the day

RIP John

[Liam2005]

Very sad news to read about the main man.

Those great lists and finding phone boxes to call up while on route to work . yes! its ringing and not engaged. Amazing buzz when told yup still got that one Greg. Great memories R.I.P

[Mrtag]

So sad to be reading this news today as many others have said the top supplier of vinyl to the scene over the last 40/50 yrs!! will be truly missed! Rest In Peace. Our thoughts and prayers are with family and friends at this very sad Time.

Edited October 4, 2019 by mrtag

[Modernsoulsucks]

2 hours ago, Garethx said:

Sad news. John Anderson was the record dealer all other record dealers wanted to be when they grew up. 

Met him a few times and did some deals with him when I was in Afflecks Palace and he was opening Expansions.

Have a drink and chat.

Always felt like he was a favourite uncle bouncing me on his knee whilst telling me stories.

[Dimples]

So sorry to read. Did not know him in person but purchased quite a lot of records from Soul Bowl in the pre-Internet days. Top stuff and friendly service always. RIP.

[Rick Scott]

Scotlands Finest, and what can i say other than we will miss you John, not just as the Very Nice Person that you were but as a man for having an incedible  ear for many of the greatest records ever discovered, i honestly don't think there was any one to touch you on that score, You just loved to talk music to any one that would listen and share it, his face would light up when he saw the reaction to the stuff he played you, but he had a mischievous side at times like when he played me a record i went Ga Ga over and i said Wow, put that on my pile of records please and he said, sorry but i only have the one of those and i'm saving it for Soul Sam, In saying that he DID eventually find me a copy Bless Him. R.I.P. John. 

[Ezzie Brown]

sad news indeed..............how many thousands of boxes have soul bowl purchases in them all over the  world ????.,,,,,,,,,,,,helped  create then to feed our addiction to the  soul 45 .............r.i.p

Edited October 4, 2019 by Ezzie Brown

[Colsoul]

rip John where would we have been without your input, and insight today ,Colin

[Charlie Rees]

4 hours ago, David Meikle said:

I first met John in my home town of Glasgow in 1969.

We used to meet up in Paterson’s store in Buchanan Street most lunchtimes listening to UK 45’s in those iconic record booths. John’s wife Marissa was always with him.

I met Charlie Rees in Benidorm in May and he told me her passing had hurt him badly.

I have just realised it’s 50 years since we first met. Where has the time gone?

I recall visiting his home in Glasgow and squeezing past the record boxes on the verandah. They were mainly albums. John’s taste in Soul Music at that time was definitely of the balladry variety. I lost touch with him when he moved to England and often wondered if that ever swung in the direction of so called Northern Soul.

I told him about the Twisted Wheel and the wonderful 45’s played there. When it came to Round Robin however he gave a typical Glasgow response. Listening to that recently I see where he was coming from LOL. 

I’ve still got some of his old Glasgow address record lists at home. A time of innocence which has long been lost in those ensuing 50 years.

Finally, I’m so proud that someone who was brought up in the infamous district of Pollok in Glasgow played such a huge part in our amazing scene.

John Anderson...thanks a million!

Hello David, great to hear from you albeit under such tragic circumstances, hope you and George are well.  My great friend Dean Johnson worked for John, managing the Expansion shop in Manchester and drove to Kings Lynn every Wednesday to collect stock. John gave Dean carte blanche to dig through the shelves and find all sorts of great unknown (at the time) seventies soul, funk and Jazz in addition to the core stock of 60`s northern and 70`s modern soul that was in demand. Dean often said that this was his dream job and that John was an unbelievably brilliant employer.

[Matt]

Very sad news - John - R.I.P 

[soulfulsaint]

Such sad news. I owe John a lot. He was not just a great dealer but a man with limitless knowledge of independent soul. Spent many memorable times at Soul Bowl and remember wild drunken nights too. John and his wife missed Scotland dearly and I always arrived armed with Tunnocks tea-cakes and Irn Bru. When I was heading off to USA as a student he often gave me places to go and some people to contact. He loved the 'northern soul' scene but loved winding it up too. I remember asking for his Top Ten to publish in 'Echoes' and wilfully he gave me ten James Brown 'B' sides, all deep ballads, even although he was sitting on the best collection of rare soul ever. Any information on funeral plans greatly appreciated. 

[Greety]

Such a nice guy and of course an absolute vinyl legend. I was thinking only the other day. If anyone asked me who else I would have liked to have been in this life. I would'nt have said George Best or James Bond etc. But John Anderson of course.

Wherever you are now John, God Bless you.

[Hitsville Chalky]

Sad news  ...RIP  John ..godbless ya x

[soulfulsaint]

John gave me this EMI disc cut from Popcorn's 'Down in the Dumps' master tapes. Its got the old Soul Bowl logo and the address is from Portland Street before he moved to the farm. Must be from around '75-'76 ended up on the Grapevine LP but prefer the Soul Bowl EMI just for the memories. 

[Ian Parker]

Very sad news.   Soul Bowl 'Soul packs' ,  i ordered a couple as a young lad,   can't even remember what was in them,  but i know for sure, that there may have been a future gem hidden inside !

       The 'GO TO' place , the excitement when an envelope with the latest lists , fell through the door at home.   like lots of other guys on here (and around the world) ,   we never met, but there's no doubting, his input and hard work, put the Northern Soul scene on the pedestal it is placed on today. 

  Rest in Peace our friend.     a sad day indeed

[Kptownie]

R.I.P. Mr John Anderson.I did not know you personally, but as these comments show you were the driving source of finding & supporting black music and the DJ's of the UK soul scene. So many heartwarming comments R.I.P.

[Davey S]

Echoing all the replies total legend and his lists it was the highlight of many collectors his list arriving and seeing what you could afford , dialing again and again till you got through then getting the " yep still got that " awesome. 

These people built the scene whether they knew it or not .

R.I.P old friend.

[Soulaction]

So sad to hear this terrible news, our condolences to the family.

John was the greatest record dealer of them all, a true pioneer.

Ringing up from the local phone box on list day, often hearing those dreaded words of his 'sorry that ones gone'.

But what great records he supplied, when you were lucky enough to get in first.

And nearly always truly mint as well, wonderful memories.

When our collection was at it's peak some ten years ago, John was the man who supplied the majority of them.

Rest in peace John, to Soul Collectors everywhere you were a legend.

Donna & Andrew.

 

[Eddie Hubbard]

Awful news , He influenced our listening and dancing pleasure to an immeasurable level , the ultimate record dealer and a man with great taste whether it was Rare Soul ,Funk ,Two Step / Rare Groove or Modern Soul New releases .We will never know anyone on that level again ,and he was such a modest and nice fella to talk too .Sleep well John and thank you for enriching my life from the 70’s until the present day x

[Robbk]

Very sad to hear this sad news.  He was a really nice man.  When I used to visit England twice a year on my way between USA or Canada and Holland during the 1980s and 1990s, I always stopped in King's Lynn.  He put me up for a few nights, and let me rummage through the record barn.  We used to talk especially about rare Soul records from Detroit and Chicago (my specialties- and the only 2 cities I could match him in knowledge), and the labels involved, and what finds we made in those 2 cities.   He was a legend, and will be sorely missed.  RIP.

[Wilxy]

R.I.P Sir......

[45cellar]

Very sad news.

I met him a few times on my travels to Kings Lynn and spoke many times on the phone during my record collecting journey.

Responsible for so many of the records that are still played and treasured in collections today.

He was a legend.

R.I.P. John

Sincere condolences to his family.

[Soul-slider]

Been buying off John for at least 40 years.

He did run Soul Bowl from West Winch (after Portland Street, still King's Lynn) for a period of time during the 90's and I used to visit there regular with a pocket full of cash. I remember getting these gems for between £20-30...Disciples Of Soul (Running Back), Majjestees (Mutt), Four Pros (Just Another Girl), Billy Hambric (Drum), Gene Chandler (Mr. Big Shot) among others.

Rest easy big man.