Lost Years Of The 1980s

[good angel]

Completely. Quite funny really because by 1981 I was living in Dudley which is about 20 miles away from Stafford. I don't regret missing Stafford though, I have heard a fairly high proportion of the good Stafford tunes since, and spent my time away from the scene getting married and having kids. I'm still married and the kids are 23 an 20 now

Snap,

I was just the same,spent all my time at work(nights),and getting a house together,then my lad was born,he is 23,now.

Kev

[Guest Netspeaky]

Only seen MORECAMBE mentioned once in the thread if anything was lost it's this niter, it was a packer during the time it was running, and had a sister event in Colwyn Bay which also did well. My view for what it's worth is that the mainstream press thought it was done and dusted, and this included the likes of Black Echoes/Music and Blues and Soul which gave scant coverage to the scene, everybody though it was a CASINO thing and didn't really understand it's about the Music and not the venue ultimately.

[Guest Byrney]

Why should we bother to spoil your self congratulatory thread

In fact I came back at the tail end of the eighties, and from my point of view it was just as exciting as the Seventies because I had all those wonderful, soulful records to discover that had been played during my 'holiday'.

No self congratulations from me, I left the scene in 94 (took a holiday ) and not fully sure I'm back on it to be honest bar the odd Lifeline, Union and weekender so no digs at returneees here, and you'll note its not just my thread.

Just making a point that by some the 80s gets overlooked or purposely ignored as a period in our history, some seem to pretend that there was no scene between Dec 81 and 2000.

[Ian Dewhirst]

Well I thought we might get a few more responses from all you Soul fans who took a holiday during the 80s (may I add for very valid reasons). Or for some of you is that a period wiped from your history books and just isnt that valid

Actually my 'holiday' started in '76 when I went to the U.S. to look for undiscovered Northern stuff. When I came back 6 months later I went to quite a few Northern venues and even ran Leeds Central Northern Night on Saturday nights but I guess I'd kinda moved on in many ways - it would have difficult for me to have continued my passion at the same intensity that I had from 1970-76 - which I truly believe was what people keep referring to as 'the Golden Age of Northern Soul'. However I never stopped dropping in on venues from '76 - present and enjoyed 'em for the most part - in fact I was @ The Forum for Kent's Anniversary on Friday night and that was one of the greatest events I've ever been to in the last 40 years! Plus I still kept in contact and sold records to lots of DJ's and collectors throughout the period from '76 - '90, so I never completely lost touch.

So maybe I just got older and developed some other interests which absorbed me as much as the Northern scene had in earlier years?

But it's really hard to convey to people exactly how huge the Northern scene was back then. We really were spoilt for choice. I personally had several gigs every week - Burnley Cricket Club (Tuesday), Leeds Central, Huddersfield Starlight, Sheffield Samanthas (Friday), Wigan Casino/Cleethorpes Pier (Saturday)and numerous Sunday All-Dayers. My weekend started quite often on Thursday night and would continue until Sunday night/Monday morning. Plus the quality of the records was overwhelming in my opinion - I don't think there can be any doubt that the period from the Wheel to Wigan Casino really was an incredible period of dicovery for Northern Soul records. Also I think I read somewhere that at one point in the mid 1970's there were circa 100,000 Northern Soul fans over those years. Certainly records like "Hey Girl Don't Bother Me" (No.1), "There's A Ghost In My House" (No.3) and "You Sexy Sugar Plum" (No.22) were capable of becoming UK Pop hits back then selling tens of thousands in the process. It was a vibrant exciting time to be a Northern Soul fan if you were into both the music and the buzz as I certainly was.

Also, with many people, one of the key periods in their lives is between 15-25 - 'the carefree years' (in my case 15-Present LOL) and I think that has a bearing on why people 'dropped-off'. I could never understand at the time why so many of the local Wheel and Torch veterans dropped off the radar in the Mecca/Wigan years. It was generally 'cos of wives, kids, work, mortgages etc, etc. You know - growing up and being responsible....

In conclusion I think it's really impossible to run a comparison between different eras. Times change. I personally preferred many of the 60's and 70's Northern records 'cos I was there at the time! In retrospect I've ended up liking a lot of the later discoveries from the 80's to present and enjoying pretty much all of the gigs, albeit with not the same level of intensity that I did in my younger years. Although last Friday @ The Forum gave me a good run for my money!

Best,

Ian D

[Tomangoes]

Reading through this topic again, I now think the 80s lost years tag refers to people like me who went from happy go lucky teenager in the 70s to serious boring married family man in the 80s, ie my lost years as far as the scene goes. Obviously the 80s, for those who just joined the scene or actually stayed loyal to it from the 60s and 70s, it was'nt lost for you.

As far as the rest goes, Im just happy to float in and out as time permits and that the scene is today as strong as ever.

Ed

[Guest realsoulfan]

Only seen MORECAMBE mentioned once in the thread if anything was lost it's this niter, it was a packer during the time it was running, and had a sister event in Colwyn Bay which also did well. My view for what it's worth is that the mainstream press thought it was done and dusted, and this included the likes of Black Echoes/Music and Blues and Soul which gave scant coverage to the scene, everybody though it was a CASINO thing and didn't really understand it's about the Music and not the venue ultimately.

Morecambe was 1 of the success of the 80's many a good night was held there

[Emjaygee]

Well well well, Dazz and Jo!! My memories of the 80's are limited, and it's down to people like you being a bad influence on me. I can only remember very in consequential snippits of things....

like the time that Dazz and Jo drove all the way to my flat in Warrington after an allnighter somewhere in the country on a sunday morning because it had one of the only two Ikea stores in the country at that time

Mark George is me and my memory may be completly shot coz i don't remember half the places i was supposed to have been so they must have been good, think i remember Bernie as well unless that's a different Bernie but i don't think so

[Simon M]

Morecambe was 1 of the success of the 80's many a good night was held there

I guested at Morcombe around 1988 for Shaun Gibbons ( where is he now?) , we were all shocked by the brilliant attendance and different faces

Edited October 23, 2007 by Simon M

[TheBigO]

I too DJed at the late great Morecombe allnighters and what a nighter it was, IMHO one of the greats of the 80s and kept the scene going along with the 100 Club, Stafford, Leighton Buzzard, Clifton Hall etc. Where is Shaun now??? I know he took video of the event so that would be good to see after all these years. Top toons as well from Lenny Welch's 'You Picked a Fine Time' and Moody & The Deltas ex Sam Cooke C/U 'Come Clap Your Hands' to Luther etc, ah happy days!

[Wiganer1]

I too DJed at the late great Morecombe allnighters and what a nighter it was, IMHO one of the greats of the 80s and kept the scene going along with the 100 Club, Stafford, Leighton Buzzard, Clifton Hall etc. Where is Shaun now??? I know he took video of the event so that would be good to see after all these years. Top toons as well from Lenny Welch's 'You Picked a Fine Time' and Moody & The Deltas ex Sam Cooke C/U 'Come Clap Your Hands' to Luther etc, ah happy days!

======

went morecambe 3 times - absolute dynamite all niter!!!!!!

[Jules]

apart from one last trip to the casino ( 81 I think) I thought I never went to any soul nights in the eighties due to living in Jersey, ( a truly souless place) and in the latter part of the decade working away in the far east ( hong kong etc, not norwich). A quick glance through the list of 80`s venues jogged the memory a bit and I seem to remember I went to about 10 of the listed venues during the period. Hinkley nighters were good, remember martha reeves not turning up? god what year was that? 100 club, the outrigger, seems the 80s wernt so bad after all, Im sure if I could have I would have gone to many, many more.

is there such a thing as a memory tablet?

[Guest]

is there such a thing as a memory tablet?

Yep but kept forgetin`to take em`so gave em up!!

Edited October 23, 2007 by ken

[Guest]

......I've had a few lost weekends.............

Edited October 23, 2007 by DelTee

[Guest Bogue]

Why should we bother to spoil your self congratulatory thread

In fact I came back at the tail end of the eighties, and from my point of view it was just as exciting as the Seventies because I had all those wonderful, soulful records to discover that had been played during my 'holiday'.

Very good point Dave Stopped us turning into one of those 'been everywhere, heard everything, there's no more upfront venues' moaners.

Have to admit though i do regret dropping out before Stafford, from the associated sounds & the stories it sounds like it was one of 'the' classic venues.

[Guest]

but there are less than 900 travelling soulies now?

There were more travelling soulies back in the 80's than there is now IMHO. There's probably a hardcore of 300, 400 tops who regularly do all-nighters. The rest come out of the woodwork for the one off and occasional all-nighters.

The scene today isn't as healthy as it's made out to be IMHO, playlists are the same at many venues, it's an ageing scene with very few youngsters and many venues far from full.

In the mid to late 80's, early 90's I could go to any venue in the country and know at least 3/4 of the folks there. It wasn't a problem travelling on my own. The scene was far less disjointed then. We all knew where we were going to be every weekend and all without the aid of a mobile phone!

My most attended venues, Fleet, Queens Hall, Leighton Buzzard and the 100 Club. Interspersed with Coventry, Dunstable,Ritz etc etc...

And as for lost weekends! Can't remember much about them!

Happy Days

[Guest Byrney]

[

Mark George is me and my memory may be completly shot coz i don't remember half the places i was supposed to have been so they must have been good, think i remember Bernie as well unless that's a different Bernie but i don't think so

[martynthejazz]

[ DAZ , Poss i may know you mate, funky martyn hear from good ole LEIC. expect met or danced near to at the notts oddfellows niter,s . ha. You will know me by all my spinnin + jazzy type move,s ha. 80,S DEAD BIT for me was when they all started shutting down ?? Good thing i had the Jazz Funk scene to keep groovin too, ha. BUT really was there a dead 80,s when they still play 60,s in the 2000,s etc. ha. see going next, half time orange at leic, ? see you all, martyn

[Chalky]

[

Mark George is me and my memory may be completly shot coz i don't remember half the places i was supposed to have been so they must have been good, think i remember Bernie as well unless that's a different Bernie but i don't think so

Hi Mark, same Bernie (or Byrney dont you know ). Hope your doing well, mentioned you on modern thread re a tape I had from you at one of the Rock City Modern Nights.

Same here with the memory, think I went to an event in Norwich as mentioned earler in the thread but tbh I cannot rememeber a Jot about it Also try as I might I still can't picture anything from the Mexborough nighters!

There are some photos kicking about from Mexboro'. When Guy had his site up and running they were on there, can't for the loife of me remember who submitted them. I've got the flyers

[Pete S]

can't for the loife of me

Chalky, didn't know you could speak Brummie

[Chalky]

Chalky, didn't know you could speak Brummie

it just slipped out Pete

[Little-stevie]

can anyone explain what this means lost years of the 1980s

myself and my friends on the scence from leicester/northampton/loughborough /etc spend most and i main most wekenda; all weekend.. at venuse such as stafford, mexborough,leicester, bradfrord, manchester, scotland, london,herne bay and many many more for a period of 8 years 1982-1990 we attended every weeknd some venue or other both nites....these were some of the best years of my life... i meet my wife there an old yate and wigan gal from stroud... we knew sue, mol,adam tomo, pete, brain ray, dave evison, guy gilly,keb. and big shout to everone not mentioned..60's soul rules for ever... these were exciting times for 60's soul and northern

so i would love to hear why its is called the "lost years"... the only thing that was lost was the amount of braincells

also we were young in our teens/twenties...i attended leighton buzzard reunion last year... is everone that old now????... i put this down to raving which stated 88-90 and this attracted young people... and ourselves but that a different story

hi to ady cros and david thorley i see you names on here

daz and jo say hi

Was that Dutch Gilly from Leeds???

[Bossfourpart1]

Chalky,

Great of you to mention the Norwich AllNighter in '89 that I was responsible for. We had a turnout of 350+ on that night that was incredible for the location etc. Unfortunately, the light came through the sky lights in a big way so we never held another. Norwich was really buzzing at that time with the Back Street soul club attracting a loyal local crowd and others travelling from afar. Makes me weep to see how Norwich has slumped in the last 20 years (and I don't just mean the Football Team)

Mark Chamberlin

Hi Mark,

our first and last allnighter (well for a while ). It was a gamble putting on that gig but we felt so strong about the scene and the quality of music at that time it seemed the least we could do. Do you remeber that night when the numbers were still alittle low and we weren't breaking even.You turned to the door staff and said "well if any body turns up just tkae the money and keep it". We turned away and within 5 minutes the door men came running over saying "Oi ! you better come to the door as a coach load pf Soulies have tunred up for the gig !

Naturally the gig was a success , despite the sunlight at 03.45 a.m. I had put up bin bags on the windows but unfortunately the ceiling ones were out of reach and lit the place up .

Great times the 80ts . Great Yarmouth weekenders , and all the Northern gigs ...Phew !

Bring it on !!!

Cheers Frank

[Rob Wigley]

the only time I usually see the term lost years or wilderness years of the 80's is from those who weren't there. I went to two all-nighters a weekend along with soul nights and all dayers during the 80's and like you Daz some of the best times of my life making some lifelong friendships along the way!!!! Many of the venues back then boasted healthy attendances, some not so healthy but thats no different to these days.

Hi chalky thanks for your kind words regarding Lesley.

As a young chick myself on the scene from 1980/1 I totally agree with the above statement apart from the one thing you have forgotten--The fabulous Bank Holiday weekends we shared 3 all-nighters and 2 dayers--you lightweight !!

love karen Wigley (McHugh)

Edited October 25, 2007 by Karen and Rob Wigley

[Rob Wigley]

Lost years of the 80s-In one Paragraph (edited for Mr Rimmer)

Most of the contacts were done on the phone to see where the other lost souls were travelling to that weekend. The odd advert in the back of (Black) Echoes, block adds for something special ie Ric-Tic revue or Stafford. Hardly any flyers in venues, No Internet, No glossy Mags, Word of mouth and open minds were king. Great times, a real laugh and hardly any backstabbing B*****ds .

Rob.

Edited October 26, 2007 by Karen and Rob Wigley

[night nurse]

Lost years of the 80s-In one sentance:-

Most of the contacts were done on the phone to see where the other lost souls were travelling to that weekend. The odd advert in the back of (Black) Echoes, block adds for something special ie Ric-Tic revue or Stafford. Hardly any flyers in venues, No Internet, No glossy Mags, Word of mouth and open minds were king. Great times, a real laugh and hardly any backstabbing B*****ds .

Rob.

rob was you ever that young lol

[Guest madkev]

just been speaking to Karen Wigley in memory of Lesley Singleton (her partner in crime and other founding member of the wide awake club). She would like to start the wide awake club again. Both enjoyed the crack regarding this, with there many antics. The scene was fully of fun, not taken to seriously. At the end of the day Karen said it was and still is only a F...king hobby.

[Guest Bearsy]

just been speaking to Karen Wigley in memory of Lesley Singleton (her partner in crime and other founding member of the wide awake club). She would like to start the wide awake club again. Both enjoyed the crack regarding this, with there many antics. The scene was fully of fun, not taken to seriously. At the end of the day Karen said it was and still is only a F...king hobby.

[Guest rasfoz]

Chalky,

Great of you to mention the Norwich AllNighter in '89 that I was responsible for. We had a turnout of 350+ on that night that was incredible for the location etc. Unfortunately, the light came through the sky lights in a big way so we never held another. Norwich was really buzzing at that time with the Back Street soul club attracting a loyal local crowd and others travelling from afar. Makes me weep to see how Norwich has slumped in the last 20 years (and I don't just mean the Football Team)

Mark Chamberlin

yeah at the uea wasnt it great night from what i remember, yeah the norwich gt yarmouth area has taken a turn for the worse in the last 20yrs i mean to say i may get away 3-4 niters a year theese days i dont think ive seen anyone else from yarmouth apart from occasionally kent out & about, still a few of you norwich sorts get about regular like, the 80s for me was the time when it was all happening for me from about 86 up till the early 90s peterborugh, leighton buzzard, chesterfield , went to morcombe once was where it was mainly at for me , a lot of my mates were into the old acid house routine so friday nite at a niter get back home dinnertime saturday only to be pressganged into some warehouse party somewhere with them happy strange days , i dropped off about 94 but made a attending return about 5 yrs ago

[Guest soultan]

80's memorabillia

[Dave Rimmer]

Lost years of the 80s-In one sentance:-

Most of the contacts were done on the phone to see where the other lost souls were travelling to that weekend. The odd advert in the back of (Black) Echoes, block adds for something special ie Ric-Tic revue or Stafford. Hardly any flyers in venues, No Internet, No glossy Mags, Word of mouth and open minds were king. Great times, a real laugh and hardly any backstabbing B*****ds .

Rob.

That's four sentences

How you doin' mate, you and Karen ok

[Rob Wigley]

That's four sentences

OK Headmaster Rimmer, The 80s in one PARAGRAPH !

How you doin' mate, you and Karen ok

We have been better....But the support from our TRUE friends is overwhelming

watch out for a post from Karen later on tonight on the subject of the 80s Scene

& I should have put "no glossy mags, only dedicated people doing A4 fanzine's as an excuse to sniff the Copier fluid".

Rob

[Rob Wigley]

rob was you ever that young lol

No i drank a lot of hair restorer & you are only as old as the woman you're feeling, Uncle Dave

[Guest markmtfc]

Just like to add, that the Winding Wheel at chesterfield, which i think only had three nighters, before it closed was the smartest venue I have ever been in, and the music was absolutely bang on. Even had channel blocks in the mens. The eighties in my opion were brilliant, the people who travelled every week were really dedicated, and open minded, and there was very little politics. Happy days.

[Paul-s]

LOST YEARS COULD BE A REFFERENCE TO THE FACT THAT ONLY 300-400 HARDCORE PEOPLE WERE INVOLVED WITH THE SCENE THEN ,IT MAY BE A TERM FROM THE OTHER 5000 OR SO THAT WERE LISTENING TO SPANDAU BALLET AND BRINING UP BABY LOL.BEST YEARS FOR ME MAINLY BECAUSE I WAS IN MY EARLY TWENTIES AND HAD SUCH GREAT FUN MEETING WONDERFUL COMMITTED PEOPLE!

BAZ A

I was there during those lost years, living in Wakefield. it was pretty hardcore and committed....and some of us were nearly committed at the end of it...Warrington, Stafford, morcambe, Bradford, Carlton, Tracky, Allerton, P,boro, Rotherham, Palais, Sheffield, everything that was going. Vivid times and, yes baz, FULL of proper people into 'soul' and with a spirit for adventure..Ha! loved it! If it wasn,t for that small committed group of people , the scene might have died on its arse!

Edited October 26, 2007 by paul-s

[Dave Rimmer]

& I should have put "no glossy mags, only dedicated people doing A4 fanzine's as an excuse to sniff the Copier fluid".

Rob

That could explain a lot

[Shsdave]

Well I was around, but did neglect the 60s a bit too much in favour of 70s 80s and I do regret that.

Ha Ha yes indeed you did mate

[Chalky]

Just like to add, that the Winding Wheel at chesterfield, which i think only had three nighters, before it closed was the smartest venue I have ever been in, and the music was absolutely bang on. Even had channel blocks in the mens. The eighties in my opion were brilliant, the people who travelled every week were really dedicated, and open minded, and there was very little politics. Happy days.

The Winding Wheel was the best venue I've ever been to. Still the same too as it';s a grade 1 listed building. Would love to get another nighter there...maybe I' should pop in and have a word. Upstairs room for 400 and 150, downstairs for 700 and another small room.

I thought there was more than 3 tho'

[Chalky]

Hi chalky thanks for your kind words regarding Lesley.

As a young chick myself on the scene from 1980/1 I totally agree with the above statement apart from the one thing you have forgotten--The fabulous Bank Holiday weekends we shared 3 all-nighters and 2 dayers--you lightweight !!

love karen Wigley (McHugh)

she was a good friend Karen, both of you. You were always trying and sometimes succeeding in winding me up, still got the acid badge somewhere I think Lesley will be missed

How could I forget the bank holidays and lightweight...moi?

we had some great times!

[Chalky]

Was that Dutch Gilly from Leeds???

No it will be Gilly from near Derby.

[chrissie]

can anyone explain what this means lost years of the 1980s

myself and my friends on the scence from leicester/northampton/loughborough /etc spend most and i main most wekenda; all weekend.. at venuse such as stafford, mexborough,leicester, bradfrord, manchester, scotland, london,herne bay and many many more for a period of 8 years 1982-1990 we attended every weeknd some venue or other both nites....these were some of the best years of my life... i meet my wife there an old yate and wigan gal from stroud... we knew sue, mol,adam tomo, pete, brain ray, dave evison, guy gilly,keb. and big shout to everone not mentioned..60's soul rules for ever... these were exciting times for 60's soul and northern

so i would love to hear why its is called the "lost years"... the only thing that was lost was the amount of braincells

also we were young in our teens/twenties...i attended leighton buzzard reunion last year... is everone that old now????... i put this down to raving which stated 88-90 and this attracted young people... and ourselves but that a different story

hi to ady cros and david thorley i see you names on here

daz and jo say hi

My lost years, and probably that of many of us who were about in the earliy to mid 70s, were down to the usual stuff, family, kids, moving jobs etc...........

QoFx

[good angel]

No it will be Gilly from near Derby.

Burton-on-Trent?

Kev

[soulfulsaint]

Actually my 'holiday' started in '76 when I went to the U.S. to look for undiscovered Northern stuff.

But it's really hard to convey to people exactly how huge the Northern scene was back then. We really were spoilt for choice. I personally had several gigs every week - Burnley Cricket Club (Tuesday), Leeds Central, Huddersfield Starlight, Sheffield Samanthas (Friday), Wigan Casino/Cleethorpes Pier (Saturday)and numerous Sunday All-Dayers.

Best,

Ian D

Yes I've still got your original of Pop-A-Groove's 'Dance Your Ass' Off from that '76 trip. I was a fan of your sets at the Central. But my favourite was Huddersfield West Indian Club in Venn Street, which you have chosen to airbrush from history - tut tut. Mind you that was when you were working undercover as Frank 'n' Twink. I had a slight holiday in late '80s veering into funk, hip-hop and work. But still kept buying obscurities. My greatest regret now was that I moved down south first to Manchester then London so went to all the biggies Wigan, Mecca, Stafford, 100 Club and missed almost all the great venues back home in Scotland.

Stuart Cos

[Ian Dewhirst]

Yes I've still got your original of Pop-A-Groove's 'Dance Your Ass' Off from that '76 trip. I was a fan of your sets at the Central. But my favourite was Huddersfield West Indian Club in Venn Street, which you have chosen to airbrush from history - tut tut. Mind you that was when you were working undercover as Frank 'n' Twink. I had a slight holiday in late '80s veering into funk, hip-hop and work. But still kept buying obscurities. My greatest regret now was that I moved down south first to Manchester then London so went to all the biggies Wigan, Mecca, Stafford, 100 Club and missed almost all the great venues back home in Scotland.

Stuart Cos

Hi Stu,

Airbrush from history??? No way Jose.

I had to leave quite a few venues out - Bradford Polish Club was my first ever Northern gig, followed eventually by Taurus @ Venn Street (my mate Al Horseford's Dad used to own the venue, so that's how we got it) and numerous others spring to mind - Halifax Tiffanies, the Cat's Whiskers in Leeds, Normanton Working Mens Club etc, etc - I kinda listed the more regular venues so as not to bore everyone to death......

Also, you're too shy - I would've thought your time @ NME & Channel 4 would have certainly conflicted your ability to travel to too many Northern gigs - especially in the 80's, 90's and 00's!

Anyway how are ya? Are you still in touch with Steve Caesar (who I haven't seen for a while)? I presume you're working @ Victoria these days, so if you're up for a drink then PM me and we'll fix a time - it's on my way home when I'm working in town so I'm pretty free most of the time. Did you go to the Forum last week? Now THAT was a gig.....

Best,

Ian D

[soulfulsaint]

Hi Ian

Still at C4 and collecting like mad as ever. Run C4's out of london operation so only in Victoria one day a week usually Monday, more often in

Manchester, Glasgow and Leeds. Ceasar is working in a record shop in Edgware Road now, not seen him for a while, but he still DJs a bit

let's try and grab a drink? I'll PM you.

Back on topic - the trip you made in '76 was at height of Wigan and Cleethropes what top sounds did you track down then?

Edited October 28, 2007 by soulfulsaint

[Ian Dewhirst]

Hi Ian

Still at C4 and collecting like mad as ever. Run C4's out of london operation so only in Victoria one day a week usually Monday, more often in

Manchester, Glasgow and Leeds. Ceasar is working in a record shop in Edgware Road now, not seen him for a while, but he still DJs a bit

let's try and grab a drink? I'll PM you.

Back on topic - the trip you made in '76 was at height of Wigan and Cleethropes what top sounds did you track down then?

Quite a few:-

"This Gets To Me" - Pookie Hudson

"What" - Judy Street

"It Ain't Easy" - Charles Russell

"I Know You're Leaving Me" - Si Hightower

"I Wonder Why" - Si Hightower

Plus lots of 70's Modern gear way too numerous to mention but most of 'em have gone big since. 100's of lovely originals including Terrible Tom, Willie Hutch, Lou Ragland, Morris Chestnut, Viginia Blakely, Ty Karim, James Gresham, The Servicemen, Tobi Bowe etc, etc.

I used to send the majority of the stuff over to Neil Rushton who then filtered 'em out to various jocks at the time.

Couple of memorable things which happened.....

One time Neil rang up to ask me to get hold of a few hundred copies of the Glass Family record "Smoke Your Troubles Away" on Earhole Records. I checked the label and it had a contact number for a guy called Jim Callan who also turned out to be the engineer for Parliament! I arranged to pick up 500 copies of the record from Jim @ a studio in Hollywood.....where Parliament were recording "Flashlight"! So the first time I met George and the boys was late '76 whilst they were recording one of their most popular songs. One of my first chemical experiences too (thanks a bunch George!).

Also I kinda take credit for Simon Soussan discovering Frank Wilson. I met Tom Depreiro (?) and Susanne Depasse when I was trying to get Shalamar signed to Motown with "Uptown Festival" and they were very interested. I took Simon along for the next meeting and he then got in with Tom whilst I had to come back to the UK 'cos my visa had run out. He somehow persuaded Tom to let him look in Motown's archive library which is where he found and 'appropriated' the first copy of Frank Wilson (which Kenny Burrell now owns). So I reckon if I hadn't hung around Motown all day waiting to meet Tom Depriero and Susanne Depasse, Simon would never have got into Motown's archive - he lacked the patience to wait around and would have pissed everyone off no doubt!

Loads more stories but I've gotta save some for the book LOL......

PM me yer number and we'll have a natter and see if we can drag Caesar along as well.....

Best,

Ian D

[Professorturnups]

Hi Mark,

our first and last allnighter (well for a while ). It was a gamble putting on that gig but we felt so strong about the scene and the quality of music at that time it seemed the least we could do. Do you remeber that night when the numbers were still alittle low and we weren't breaking even.You turned to the door staff and said "well if any body turns up just tkae the money and keep it". We turned away and within 5 minutes the door men came running over saying "Oi ! you better come to the door as a coach load pf Soulies have tunred up for the gig !

Naturally the gig was a success , despite the sunlight at 03.45 a.m. I had put up bin bags on the windows but unfortunately the ceiling ones were out of reach and lit the place up .

Great times the 80ts . Great Yarmouth weekenders , and all the Northern gigs ...Phew !

Bring it on !!!

Cheers Frank

Remember it well Frank, and when that coach load turned up from London I had to smile nicely at the doormen and we did a 50/50 split but, hey, we didn't do it for the money.It was just great being involved in something that all the "faces" seemed to turn up for.

I look back at the 80s (Buzzard, OddFellows, Mansfield etc etc) with Andy & Michelle Gill , Cobby, Rachel , Steve J (RIP) Annie (The Rural Mafia) and indeed they were great times but then see what's on offer now - Middleton, Burnley, Stoke, 100 Club, Lifeline etc etc all doing the business plus the great Rugby All-Nighters in 2008 !!

Mark

[Guest]

Remember it well, it was with that big guy from Cumbria, i had to jump in and break it up. It was the night after the tv cameras were at Horwich. Did a double that weekend, Horwich to Norwich in a MK1 Escort with a bunch of messy heads. What a journey. Happy days.

Tomo

Was the Big Guy from Cumbria called Chris ? If it is I used know him from Morecambe Pier niters n met a few times l8r at..funnily enuff..Horwich Lesuire Centre Niters in the 90s...

[Guest scottie]

my older brother done the 70s where i came along in the 80s...every 3 weeks i was on a scooter rally where they had all nighters with live acts such as edwin starr mary wells,eddie holman and jj barnes and the biggest numbers ever ,sadly now the nites seem to finish at 2 !..but in between that we had regular "back st "soul nites in norwich aswell as the fleet and wirrina in peterborough...

spacehopper we mustve been in the same room pal saw all them acts on the scooter rallys

[Guest scottie]

weren`t the lost years for me loved the queens hall bradford,heard many great records  there for the the 1st time always enjoyed steve whittles sets.great place

[Spacehopper]

spacehopper we mustve been in the same room pal saw all them acts on the scooter rallys

im sure we were scottie..cant remember who I saw where..there were so many on..except the early ones in 84 my first year of rallies,edwin at the iow,mary wells at the tiffanys,yarmouuth niter,snake davis at the Newark showground..it all starts to get a bit blurred after that  although will never forget the Nazi skins kicking off at tiffanys desmond dekker gig in 86 or the full on riot at iow 87 when chris burton was promoting and booked all oi bands..add to that car loads of scooterless skins and a beer tent ripping people off all weekend..recipe for trouble!

 

im constantly meeting  'soulies' in their 40s/50s who were at the same places I was back then..seeing pics of scoots on the 'rallies in the 80s' facebook group that are identical to some of mine

 

great days

 

dean