Catacombs, 1971.

[Torch56]

 

Express and Star, Entertainment and Leisure Section, November 13th, 1971.

 

[Linda4me]

Farmer Carl Dene,Max and Alan S and of course Pep great times

[Mach]

Some memories captured here. Courtesy of my good friend Richard Domar.

 

[Torch56]

Catacombs' playlist, November 13th, 1971:

It ain't necessary   Mamie Galore

I can't see your love   The Ballads

Gonna get along with you now   The Vibrations

Shades down   The Detroit Emeralds

Say it   JJ Barnes

I can't get enough   Johnny Sayles

Too late   Larry Williams and Johnny Watson

Let's have a love in   Wingate's Love In Strings

To win your Heart Laura Lee

Cheyenne   Promised Land

Please let me in   JJ Barnes

Purple Haze   Johnny Jones and The King Casuals

I'll never fall in love again   Bobby Freeman

I'll bet you  Theresa Lindsey

The urge keeps coming    Jo Armstead

Nothing's worse than being alone   The Ad Libs

You get your kicks   Mitch Ryder

Pity my feet   Kenny Bernard

Out on the floor   Dobie Gray

I don't wanna discuss it   Little Richard

Foxy   Earl Guest

Soul sauce  Cal Tjader

The charge   The TKOs

Concerto for jazz lovers   Sonny Stitt

Ain't that terrible   The Capitols

Suffering city    Johnny Copeland

I'm gonna cramp your style   Junior Wells

Just ain't no love   Young Holt Unlimited

Ain't no more room   The Kittens

The real thing   Tina Britt

Baby reconsider   Leon Haywood

Check yourself   The Intruders

Soul galore   Jackie Wilson

A little togetherness   The Younghearts

[Tricky]

Great  to see the Kittens played in 71. Wasn’t expecting that.

Not sure about that Earl Guest though.

[Torch56]

There's quite a few on that list that merit almost iconic status. However, there are others that are more easily forgotten. Earl Guest being one of the latter category.

[Sheep]

So there was an all nighter at the Cats in 71 ?

Do you have the flyer for that all nighter... Curious if it was posted as a northern soul night or similar? 

Edited November 23, 2021 by Sheep

[Torch56]

There was talk of an all-nighter to be held at the Catacombs in early 1972. The Express and Star advert clearly shows that the idea was around from at least late 1971. The all-nighter eventually occurred in February or March, 1972, or rather it didn't. If you go on the Catacombs Stamped Records thread you can read all about the all-nighter that never was.

No flyer was produced, as far as I know. As I recall, the only flyer the Catacombs produced was for the final night in 1974.

[Sheep]

Many thanks....was at the nighter in 74....which emptied early due to everybody heading up to the casino.

Thought that was the only time fhere was a nightet....so was curious when I saw the flyer you posted

[Torch56]

You are right about the 1974 all-nighter being the only one but my memory of that night is that the dance floor, corridors and alcoves were rammed throughout the entire event. There were some significantly high attendances post-Torch and pre-Wigan, twelve months earlier, but that particular night, July 13th, 1974, was on a different scale. Are you sure we are talking about the same night? Once Wigan opened attendances at the Cats nosedived, as they did when the Torch and Up the Junction were offering an all-night alternative. The coach to Wigan used to leave from outside the Cats so there were nights when there was a drop off as some headed north, but not on that particular night as I recall.

The advert I posted at the top of this thread is an advert from Wolverhampton's evening Newspaper, the Express and Star. Adverts like this appeared in the Entertainments and Leisure section every Thursday and Saturday throughout the period of the club's existence.

[Amsterdam Russ]

Did Richard Domar have a direct connection with the Cats or was he just a passionate punter at that club?

[Sunnysoul]

While we're on the subject of the Cats, if anyone has any photos from those early days, please post them up on here ... especially the '68 - '72 years 

[Sheep]

10 hours ago, Torch56 said:

You are right about the 1974 all-nighter being the only one but my memory of that night is that the dance floor, corridors and alcoves were rammed throughout the entire event. There were some significantly high attendances post-Torch and pre-Wigan, twelve months earlier, but that particular night, July 13th, 1974, was on a different scale. Are you sure we are talking about the same night? Once Wigan opened attendances at the Cats nosedived, as they did when the Torch and Up the Junction were offering an all-night alternative. The coach to Wigan used to leave from outside the Cats so there were nights when there was a drop off as some headed north, but not on that particular night as I recall.

The advert I posted at the top of this thread is an advert from Wolverhampton's evening Newspaper, the Express and Star. Adverts like this appeared in the Entertainments and Leisure section every Thursday and Saturday throughout the period of the club's existence.

Ah well it was 47 years ago....but yes that's how I remember it....certainly packed through the evening, but later it thinned out....but I could be wrong...thought the first night at the casino was packed, but someone else said it was empty, so would like confirmation on that also, happy to be wrong...

We were travelling from afar, so in a car not a coach ..

Edited November 24, 2021 by Sheep

[Tagtag]

9 hours ago, Amsterdam Russ said:

Did Richard Domar have a direct connection with the Cats or was he just a passionate punter at that club?

I don't believe Richard had any direct connection with the club. I don't even know that he went there but I suppose he is the right age to have attended at some point. I recall Richard was a record collector/dealer who was based at his parents house in Finchfield, Wolverhampton. Also dealt in Marvel comics. I bought some good records from him back in the day. I wish I had bought more.

[Mach]

9 hours ago, Amsterdam Russ said:

Did Richard Domar have a direct connection with the Cats or was he just a passionate punter at that club?

pm.d Russ, ..he did attend, he recorded that podcast there, which i posted above.

Edited November 24, 2021 by Mach

[Vadnochka]

1st night at the Casino was marred by the fact pre-booked membership was required to get in. We came down from the Mecca to Wigan at about 1.00 AM to find a complete scrum around the door. Deciding to observe for a while and eventually joined the throng still jostling to get in. Remember there hadn't been a regular all-nighter except Hanley Top Rank since the Torch closed in March '73. 

1/2 hr. later and still among the crowd with people arriving from all over we decided to give it a swerve as the crowd looked like a youth club gathering and very few were faces I remembered from other venues and the few we did know had pretty much the same opinion. As to the overall attendance I can't comment as we didn't get in although the entrance requirements had created a very slow moving mass as most were turned back at the door.

Obviously it became the place to go but I've never bought into this Torch / Wigan sound rubbish as so many of the them were clapped out / played out sounds or played years previously at other venues - many Torch accredited sounds never got played there.

Always a subjective topic - what do the say - History is usually written by the survivors or winners.

[Sheep]

21 minutes ago, Vadnochka said:

1st night at the Casino was marred by the fact pre-booked membership was required to get in. We came down from the Mecca to Wigan at about 1.00 AM to find a complete scrum around the door. Deciding to observe for a while and eventually joined the throng still jostling to get in. Remember there hadn't been a regular all-nighter except Hanley Top Rank since the Torch closed in March '73. 

1/2 hr. later and still among the crowd with people arriving from all over we decided to give it a swerve as the crowd looked like a youth club gathering and very few were faces I remembered from other venues and the few we did know had pretty much the same opinion. As to the overall attendance I can't comment as we didn't get in although the entrance requirements had created a very slow moving mass as most were turned back at the door.

Obviously it became the place to go but I've never bought into this Torch / Wigan sound rubbish as so many of the them were clapped out / played out sounds or played years previously at other venues - many Torch accredited sounds never got played there.

Always a subjective topic - what do the say - History is usually written by the survivors or winners.

Yes was in that throng outside waiting to get in, I had a membership, which as you say you had to be pre-order, but my 3 friends including driver didn't, so waited outside with them, but we all got in, thought everybody outside did... so something I now know...

[Amsterdam Russ]

Was Harvey Averne's - Never learned to dance - played at the Cats?

[Torch56]

re: Harvey Averne.

Unless somebody has a specific memory of it being played, it's almost impossible to say. From 8 to half past some lesser known records would be played before the big ticket items were unleashed. I have very little recall of the majority of items in the former category, mainly, I suspect, because they compared unfavourably with what was to follow. Indeed the description of a record as a '8 to half past sound' was a pejorative term and indicated it would likely remain in that category.

In 1971 Alan S did the early shift and when he was moved on, Max picked up that particular baton but the policy remained the same. One difference was that Max would signal the start of serious proceedings by playing a signature tune. The first one that I can recall was The Cat Walk by Gerry and Paul. At some point in 1973 this was replaced by Funky Chicken by The Fabulous Emotions.

 

[Amsterdam Russ]

23 minutes ago, Torch56 said:

re: Harvey Averne.

Unless somebody has a specific memory of it being played, it's almost impossible to say. From 8 to half past some lesser known records would be played before the big ticket items were unleashed. I have very little recall of the majority of items in the former category, mainly, I suspect, because they compared unfavourably with what was to follow. Indeed the description of a record as a '8 to half past sound' was a pejorative term and indicated it would likely remain in that category.

In 1971 Alan S did the early shift and when he was moved on, Max picked up that particular baton but the policy remained the same. One difference was that Max would signal the start of serious proceedings by playing a signature tune. The first one that I can recall was The Cat Walk by Gerry and Paul. At some point in 1973 this was replaced by Funky Chicken by The Fabulous Emotions.

 

Thanks for the insights - very informative.

I asked because Richard Domar's name cropped up earlier. Like many, I got his sales lists back in the early/mid 80s. 

One 45 I bought from him was Harvey Averne. Knowing nothing about the history of the northern soul scene back then - but having heard mention of the Cats as a legendary venue of old - I bought the 45 blind solely on the strength of his description of it, which said "Catacombs secret sound". Curiosity got the better of me and I spent what was then - for me - a substantial sum for a 45.

Over the years, I've asked a number of knowledgable folk about whether Harvey Averne was indeed played there, and everyone has stated there's no way it could have been. But that means doubting Richard Domar's word and his knowledge of what was played at the Cats - something I've never had any reason to do. 

Scan attached from the relevant part of his sales list from 1985.

[Paul R]

On 23/11/2021 at 21:48, Sheep said:

Many thanks....was at the nighter in 74....which emptied early due to everybody heading up to the casino.

Thought that was the only time fhere was a nightet....so was curious when I saw the flyer you posted

I never went to the Cats unfortunately, but I do remember the nighter. Pete Lawson and a few others definitely left early and turned up at Wigan in the middle of the night.

 

Paul

[Sheep]

On 26/11/2021 at 09:20, Paul R said:

I never went to the Cats unfortunately, but I do remember the nighter. Pete Lawson and a few others definitely left early and turned up at Wigan in the middle of the night.

 

Paul

Yes....remember seeing many from the Cats that night later at the Casino....that's where everybody wanted to be

[Solidsoul]

On 26/11/2021 at 09:20, Paul R said:

I never went to the Cats unfortunately, but I do remember the nighter. Pete Lawson and a few others definitely left early and turned up at Wigan in the middle of the night.

 

Paul

I remember Pete Lawson well, he was quite a character. Although once you met him you were not likely to forget him. He had Northern Soul DNA . I sometimes wonder what he would have thought of the scene these days! 

 

Edited November 28, 2021 by D9 Ktf

[Torch56]

Back to Harvey Averne:

Normally, I would take claims of a record being played at a particular venue as simply a price-raising manoeuvre the part of the seller. However, if you have read any of the Owl's Effort fanzines produced by Richard in the late eighties, it cannot be denied that his knowledge of records was both impressive and extensive. As such, that does give the claim some credibility.

Paying six pounds for the record in the eighties was a bold move but, given its current value, now appears a shrewd investment.

Apologies: should read 'on the part'

[Sunnysoul]

On 26/11/2021 at 09:34, Amsterdam Russ said:

Thanks for the insights - very informative.

I asked because Richard Domar's name cropped up earlier. Like many, I got his sales lists back in the early/mid 80s. 

One 45 I bought from him was Harvey Averne. Knowing nothing about the history of the northern soul scene back then - but having heard mention of the Cats as a legendary venue of old - I bought the 45 blind solely on the strength of his description of it, which said "Catacombs secret sound". Curiosity got the better of me and I spent what was then - for me - a substantial sum for a 45.

Over the years, I've asked a number of knowledgable folk about whether Harvey Averne was indeed played there, and everyone has stated there's no way it could have been. But that means doubting Richard Domar's word and his knowledge of what was played at the Cats - something I've never had any reason to do. 

Scan attached from the relevant part of his sales list from 1985.

Domar knew his stuff so that looks like positive evidence at the very least that it was played back in the day.

But should that really surprise as the Cats has gone down in soul folklore as a venue that thought outside the square than most clubs from those golden years.

Also if it was a "secret sound" then presumably there was a cover up name ? Anyone ?

[Torch56]

As I recall 'secret sounds' were not always given alternative titles but simply left blank. For example, I remember Froggy playing a British Columbia black issue with the title of the song and the artist obscured with a series of white stickers strategically placed. When the record started it turned out to be, Levi Jackson, This Beautiful Day, which was still available at that time from main stream record retailers. 

In early 1972, Dave Godin, in one of his articles in Blues and Soul, defended the practice but took the opportunity to 'out' two of his own examples as being Prove Yourself A Lady and Nothing's Worse Than Being Alone. He did not refer to any alternative titles/ artists' names that he had used in their place, which leads me to believe they did not exist.

One example (though there may well be more) that defied this trend from the Catacombs era was Double Cookin' by the Checkerboard Squares. In 1974 this was given the much more appropriate, but entirely fictional, title of Strings A Go Go by Bob Wilson.

By the late 70s 'secret sounds' had transmogrified into cover-ups which were far more prevalent, but, of cours,e by then the Cats was long gone.

If Harvey Averne was a Catacombs secret sound, it's possible, if not probable, it was given no alternative title. The person most  likely to give the most definitive answer to this query is Pep. He was in and around that DJ booth for years, and not just when he officially joined the roster. 

[Torch56]

 

 Froggy with not so secret sounds.

DJ at the Cats from early 1971 to early 1972.

 

Edited December 2, 2021 by Torch56

[Sunnysoul]

1 hour ago, Torch56 said:

 

 Froggy with not so secret sounds.

DJ at the Cats from early 1971 to early 1972.

 

Great shot ... c'mon original Cats attendees ... there must me more photos from the '68-'72 era especially ... post 'em up here !

[Torch56]

 

Alan S and Froggy circa 1971. Alan was a key DJ at the Cats from its early days through to 1973. In March 1971 he was involved in the serious road accident that cost his fellow DJ, Bob Crocker, his life. Alan himself was months in hospital with broken legs, amongst other injuries. While Alan was recovering, Froggy took on the responsibility of keeping the show on the road until Alan rejoined the roster later in the year.

Bob and Alan also ran the R and A record shop in Stafford Street, Wolverhampton. By late 1971 Alan had re-opened the shop and was dealing in records. With no main stream means of acquiring knowledge about these obscure sounds, the shop, and the conversations therein, became an important supplement to the Catacombs itself, as a source of scarce information.

 

Edited December 3, 2021 by Torch56

[Herbie0908]

[Joesoap]

Found this CD in a charity shop a couple of years ago. Really well put together compilation / package. But one inclusion I found very surprising is Victor Knight 'Chinatown'. Now I remember that very well from the 100 Club during the Stafford era. Was it really played at the Catacombs? Quite a downtempo / leftfield record considering the style of you associate with that era...

Edited December 4, 2021 by Joesoap

[Benji]

There are a couple of tracks on that CD that I just can't imagine were played anywhere in the UK in the 70s:

Showmen - Wrong Girl
Dee Clark - That's my girl
Victor Knight - Chinatown
Kenny Young - Ain't it funny what love can do

[Sunnysoul]

23 hours ago, Benji said:

There are a couple of tracks on that CD that I just can't imagine were played anywhere in the UK in the 70s:

Showmen - Wrong Girl
Dee Clark - That's my girl
Victor Knight - Chinatown
Kenny Young - Ain't it funny what love can do

The Kenny Young record may have been a fave of Dave Godin's and possibly name checked in one of his Blues and Soul columns '69-'71 so conceivably it might have been played as an ender at The Catacombs or Wheel during that same time frame. Showmen and Dee Clark too would have made sense at the Catacombs and  Wheel before stompers dominated the scene at the Torch from '72 onwards to the end of the seventies. As for Victor Knight, can't see that fitting in ... and, incidentally, it comes a distant second to Clyde McPhatter's version.

 

[Sunnysoul]

On 04/12/2021 at 08:54, Torch56 said:

 

Alan S and Froggy circa 1971. Alan was a key DJ at the Cats from its early days through to 1973. In March 1971 he was involved in the serious road accident that cost his fellow DJ, Bob Crocker, his life. Alan himself was months in hospital with broken legs, amongst other injuries. While Alan was recovering, Froggy took on the responsibility of keeping the show on the road until Alan rejoined the roster later in the year.

Bob and Alan also ran the R and A record shop in Stafford Street, Wolverhampton. By late 1971 Alan had re-opened the shop and was dealing in records. With no main stream means of acquiring knowledge about these obscure sounds, the shop, and the conversations therein, became an important supplement to the Catacombs itself, as a source of scarce information.

 

Great photo but judging by their hair styles and clothes, this would surely have to be post 1971 ?

Edited December 5, 2021 by Sunnysoul

[Torch56]

Yes, on reflection I think you're probably correct. The shirts are the best indicator. The penny round collars and the louder design of Froggy's shirt in particular suggest later than 1971. If I had to go for a particular year I'd opt for 1972. Froggy left the DJ roster at the Catacombs sometime in early 1972. He came from the Gloucester area so meeting up with Alan S would likely have occurred before their Saturday night duties. 

Who were/are the other two in the photograph? I have no idea or recollection of them. That picture is somebody's front room by the look of it so they were connected in some way to the two DJ's.

[El Corol]

On 04/12/2021 at 23:41, Joesoap said:

Found this CD in a charity shop a couple of years ago. Really well put together compilation / package. But one inclusion I found very surprising is Victor Knight 'Chinatown'. Now I remember that very well from the 100 Club during the Stafford era. Was it really played at the Catacombs? Quite a downtempo / leftfield record considering the style of you associate with that era...

Mickey Nolds on the left. Dave Allen in the middle? 

[Torch56]

Can't help with the identities of any in the main photograph. However, the bearded dancer in the smaller photograph is Gary from Selly Oak, whose blue van found its way to all the major venues in the early 70s.

A keen surfer, he worked as a photographer for Birmingham Central Library. He had a good ear for a sound; Gloria Jones, Come Go With Me, was a particular favourite.

[Ezzie Brown]

i knew froggy slightly around those days..from soul does in gloucester area , going to  the royal william , the library , very  early stand out memories for me before cats , torch etc, the wax machine soul shop and other haunts, froggy  a figure to be looked up to by a sprog like me.....reckon the pic  was 72 or 3.......... always remember froggy had an afghan coat which looked like a dead sheep...........x

[Torch56]

 

Here is a better image of the photograph that is on the cover of the Catacombs CD that has been referenced earlier in this thread.

It's interesting because it's possible to identify precisely the location within the club that the image shows. The photograph has been taken from the dancefloor back towards the DJ booth and the two corridors that ran parallel towards the main exit/entrance. The main corridor began where the blue wall ends in the top right corner of the image. Unfortunately, all that can be seen is a dark squared-off void, probably because the flash was not powerful enough. This corridor ran the entire length of the club and went past the main access to the DJ booth and then two or three small alcoves before arriving at the bar area and then the entrance/exit/cloakroom area. From there a narrow staircase led to the outer door and the pavement on Temple street.

The second corridor began immediately behind the girl in the orange trousers and was shorter in length than the main one, ending in the Gents' toilets and the bar area. Both corridors were flanked with black pew-like benches and were connected by the dance floor and further down by a connecting passage.

The most interesting detail in this photograph is the aperture set into the facing wall which you can make out just to the right of centre. Note the lad in the white shirt holding a glass in his left hand. His head is turned away from the dancefloor because that gap in the wall provided visual access to the twin decks It was possible therefore to see records coming out of the boxes and being cued up before being played. Hearing great sounds was the main reason for being there, obviously, but actually seeing the vinyl with the different label designs added to the experience. Gradually, it was possible to assimilate knowledge, mentally noting titles and artists and the labels. Demos were different to issues, American labels tended towards the bright and colourful whereas their UK counterparts were much more understated in terms of colour and design. With virtually no other reference point to hand, what was played at the Cats registered in the format that was presented. I was surprised that Alan Day's copy of Per-son-ally was on UK Polydor, when for months I thought it only existed on US Tetragrammaton, because that was what Max had in his box. Richard Searling's black issue of Carl Douglas, Serving a Sentence of Life, at Va Vas, warranted close inspection because Pep used to play the green and white demo at the Cats.

The layout of other clubs was far more straightforward because they were serving the purpose for which they had been built. The Catacombs, having been originally constructed to smelt lead, had a different feel to them. Old industrial premises, given a very rough and ready makeover, provided what turned out to be a venue that could truthfully declare it was the place, 'Where the sounds begin.'

[Eddie Hubbard]

Found this copy of William Bell a while back ,with the card sleeve adorned with sounds from The Cats .

[Eddie Hubbard]

I’ve had this photo from The Cats on my pc for a while ,not sure who the source was or who the people are ,great photo though .

[Sunnysoul]

1 hour ago, Eddie Hubbard said:

I’ve had this photo from The Cats on my pc for a while ,not sure who the source was or who the people are ,great photo though .

Great photo ... and clearly from the Mod/Suedehead period '69-'72 .... c'mon Soul Source members: you must have more photos of the Cats from this era to post up on here .

[Torch56]

 

Starting on the right, the lad with the tatoo: I think his name was Johnny Daye, from Nottingham. I could be completely wrong. If anybody knows different, then please post.

The other lad in the black shirt. Again, sorry to be so uncertain, cannot give you a name but I remember his face from the Cats. Think he was a Stockport lad. That town must have had the highest number of Northern Soul aficianados per head of the population than any other place in the UK. A mate of Pete Tilsley, I think.

Can't give you a name for any of the girls but I remember the face of the one on the extreme left. I think she came from Codsall; a Cats regular 71/72.

The Sheriff of Nottingham look-a-like in the red sleeves is Gary from Birmingham. See earlier posts and pictures.

The lad about to be strangled is Ray Webster, a veritable wall of sound, from Wolverhampton who embraced all aspects of the scene with gusto. The first time I met him was in Alan S' shop on Stafford Street. He parted with two items from his collection and received the grand total of four pounds in return. Alan then played both records, one after the other. It was the first time I'd ever heard either of them. To say they sounded impressive would be something of an understatement. Just imagine, if you can, hearing both of these for the first time:

Gonna Get Along Without You Now.  The Vibrations.

Too Late.    Larry Williams and Johnny Watson.

This would have been in 1971. Both records were originals; the reissues with the small 45 motif came out in 1972.

Sadly, Ray passed away in 1978.

Edited December 10, 2021 by Torch56

[Mike]

2 hours ago, Sunnysoul said:

Great photo ... and clearly from the Mod/Suedehead period '69-'72 .... c'mon Soul Source members: you must have more photos of the Cats from this era to post up on here .

Source Gallery has a few related albums and images

https://www.soul-source.co.uk/search/?q=catacombs&quick=1&type=gallery_album_item

https://www.soul-source.co.uk/search/?&q=catacombs&type=gallery_image&quick=1&search_and_or=and&sortby=relevancy

 

https://www.soul-source.co.uk/gallery/album/4386-197039s-torch-amp-catacombs/

maybe more untitled in the 70s albums

https://www.soul-source.co.uk/gallery/category/23-1970s-soul/

[Eddie Hubbard]

8 hours ago, Torch56 said:

 

Starting on the right, the lad with the tatoo: I think his name was Johnny Daye, from Nottingham. I could be completely wrong. If anybody knows different, then please post.

The other lad in the black shirt. Again, sorry to be so uncertain, cannot give you a name but I remember his face from the Cats. Think he was a Stockport lad. That town must have had the highest number of Northern Soul aficianados per head of the population than any other place in the UK. A mate of Pete Tilsley, I think.

Can't give you a name for any of the girls but I remember the face of the one on the extreme left. I think she came from Codsall; a Cats regular 71/72.

The Sheriff of Nottingham look-a-like in the red sleeves is Gary from Birmingham. See earlier posts and pictures.

The lad about to be strangled is Ray Webster, a veritable wall of sound, from Wolverhampton who embraced all aspects of the scene with gusto. The first time I met him was in Alan S' shop on Stafford Street. He parted with two items from his collection and received the grand total of four pounds in return. Alan then played both records, one after the other. It was the first time I'd ever heard either of them. To say they sounded impressive would be something of an understatement. Just imagine, if you can, hearing both of these for the first time:

Gonna Get Along Without You Now.  The Vibrations.

Too Late.    Larry Williams and Johnny Watson.

This would have been in 1971. Both records were originals; the reissues with the small 45 motif came out in 1972.

Sadly, Ray passed away in 1978.

Many thanks for putting some names and adding stories to the photo  Torch56 .Yes ,you’re correct about Stockport ,I know and knew a huge amount of Soul fans from that area .Cheers Eddie 

[Eddie Hubbard]

On 06/12/2021 at 14:38, El Corol said:

Mickey Nolds on the left. Dave Allen in the middle? 

I think the lad on the right is either Barry ? a friend of Neil Rushton or Dave Krynski ? 

[Carole P]

2 hours ago, Eddie Hubbard said:

I think the lad on the right is either Barry ? a friend of Neil Rushton or Dave Krynski ? 

It's Barry Blakeman.A friend of Dave Krynski.

[Eddie Hubbard]

2 minutes ago, Carole P said:

It's Barry Blakeman.A friend of Dave Krynski.

Cheers John ,thought it was mate 

[Torch56]

 

[Torch56]

Most sources, when referring to the original opening of the Catacombs, give November, 1968, as its inaugural date. However, from what I can recall, admittedly from hazy memory and barely registered conversation, the purple neon sign firmly secured to the club's outer wall came along sometime afterwards, in 1969. Temple Street, at that time, was a nondescript thoroughfare on the edge of Wolverhampton's commercial centre with buildings that were functional and beige in colour and character. The colourful addition to the club's outer wall was out of character with its surroundings but brought a splash of modernity to the 1950s feel of the rest of the street. Attendees at the club in those days, and I wasn't one of them, I should add, felt a certain proprietorial pride in this particular piece of street furniture that advertised this venue, that even then had a status and exclusivity, both in the town and beyond.

In the 1969/70 period a regular Sunday afternoon session was held at the Chateau Impney, Droitwich with Carl 'Farmer' Dean spinning the sounds that were yet to be identified by Dave Godin as northern soul. Like the Catacombs, people came from beyond the club's immediate environs to hear the records that generally sank without trace sales-wise a few years earlier, but were now gracing the decks and commanding ridiculous prices when sold on. People coming from different towns was rarely a problem on the scene. Indeed, it seemed to add to the collective spirit of the experience and 'Where are you from?' was generally an invitation to indulge in friendly conversation, rather than the smack in the mouth that such an enquiry would elicit outside Old Trafford on a Saturday afternoon.

Unfortunately, apparently, on one occasion, at the Chateau, a difference of opinion between some lads from Wolverhampton, and another group known as the Smethwick skins, led to some unpleasantness that resulted in a certain amount of bad feeling. So much so that the insults traded included a threat from the latter group that they were going to come to Wolverhampton and smash the Catacombs sign. Fortunately, no such event occurred and the sign remained intact and secure both to the building, and its place in northern soul iconography.

All of the above is based on anecdotal evidence, and if any can endorse or challenge any, or all of this narrative, please feel free to do so.

I'm on much more certain ground when it comes to the events of July 14th, 1974, where an attack on the sign was not so much an idle threat but a very real attempt to detach the sign from its supporting wall. Unfortunately, I was the only witness to this event apart from two would-be souvenir hunters who had come prepared to relieve Temple Street of its most impressive piece of street furniture.

By 6a.m. on that morning I decided that the final hour of the last Catacombs all-nighter, indeed the last event to be held at the club, could do without my presence and I made my way down the stairs and onto the street outside, thus missing the Walter Jackson moment which came about an hour later, I understand. As I exited the outside door and stepped onto the pavement, the sight that greeted me was surreal to the extent that it took a second or two to comprehend what was going on. Two lads had thrown a rope over the top supporting bracket that connected the sign to the wall and were endeavoring, without much success, I might add, to pull the sign down to the pavement below. The sign was steadfastly resisting this attempt to separate it from its spiritual home and remained securely in place, I'm pleased to say.

How long this struggle continued I do not know, as I turned away after taking in the scene, and proceeded on my way. However, ever since I have considered the practicalities around this venture and have reached the following conclusions.

Firstly, this was no spur of the moment decision. They had a length of rope, not the sort of thing you would normally have in the boot of a car along with your adidas bag. However, to make a serious attempt to remove the sign, more equipment would have been needed: a set of ladders, a set of spanners would have been the bare minimum.

Secondly, what would have happened had they been successful and managed to yank the supporting bolts from the wall? That sign was big. It would have been heavy. It was high up. I would not want to have been underneath it when gravity was unleashed to do its work. Did they intend to arrest its fall by somehow catching it before it hit the pavement, or were they simply going to allow it to hit the asphalt unchecked? In the first instance think: an extended stay in New Cross Hospital. In the last instance think: Del Boy and Rodney and the chandelier.

The sign was eventually removed by people presumably better equipped and skilled than our ambitious souvenir hunters, and,, so I understand, spent the best part of the next three decades in the back of Max's shop in Wednesfield. A far cry from its halcyon days as a beacon to one of the most influential venues in the history of northern soul.