Ian Levine, Motorcity, Centre City, Blackpool Mecca, And Swons

[Guest James Trouble]

James you seem to know an awful lot about Ian's former girlfriends?

I've been studying. You know, Mastermind, specialist subject, The Life And Times of Ian Levine.

You should see the designs she does these days. Not bad at all.

[Billy Freemantle]

Pete or Frank?

I'll have to ask my sister if she knows who the girl was........no, it can't be, ........It wasn't Chris Rimmer was it?

Paul

Frank. The girl may have been Chris but I don't think so.

[Guest]

I thought it was earlier than 1971, but you're probably right. Her place could well have been near Lord Street, too. Strange how these things stick in the mind and even stranger how I ended up at her house. She wasn't a face at all and she was a very wholesome girl, quite tall as I recall. I was more interested in the mother myself as there been a book that had done the rounds a couple of years prior to this called In Praise of Older Women', or something like that with a theme that doesn't need to be spelled out. Anyway the next time I saw this girl, she was with some unsavory Ormskirk character called Simpson or something like that.

Simpson!!! Leave me well out of it!

Only guy I recall from Ormskirk was "Wally" Used to get down the wheel.

Andy.

[Guest mel brat]

I DJ'd at the third ever Wigan allnighter in 1973. You're three years out.

Ha! - I knew it! - Have said for years that I heard Ian play "Sidra's Theme" and "Midnight Brew" at Wigan, but over the years I began to wonder whether if it was in fact at the Top Rank in Hanley. That's cleared that up then!

[Guest Paul]

...The clue is Rochdale Swimming Club...

Hello Stuart,

James Trouble is on his way to Rochdale now, with a bag full of pound coins...

"Here's a pound, love. Can you tell me anything about your sordid relationship with Ian? Here's another pound. What was he like in bed?"

I can imagine the sensational headline... HETRO HOUSEWIFE HAD A KINKY TWO-IN-A-BED ORGY WITH GAY DISC JOCKEY.

Paul Mooney

[Guest Gavin Page]

HETRO HOUSEWIFE HAD A KINKY TWO-IN-A-BED ORGY WITH GAY DISC JOCKEY.

Paul Mooney

[Steve G]

Ha! - I knew it! - Have said for years that I heard Ian play "Sidra's Theme" and "Midnight Brew" at Wigan, but over the years I began to wonder whether if it was in fact at the Top Rank in Hanley. That's cleared that up then!

I thought Ian said no rubbish was played in 1973 - ooooh that was played at Wigan, not Blackpool then? .

Edited August 27, 2008 by Steve G

[Guest]

Ha! - I knew it! - Have said for years that I heard Ian play "Sidra's Theme" and "Midnight Brew" at Wigan, but over the years I began to wonder whether if it was in fact at the Top Rank in Hanley. That's cleared that up then!

Sidra's Theme Dave Godin covered up as The Explosion "The end of the World" Ian heard it and realised it was on his shelf at home! Woops!

[Billywhizz]

Billy, you might not have realised this, but that's a BIT rude...... (as in X-Rated)

oops

[scunnyjack]

Just been listening to Steve Woomble as a guest on Radio Hullberside during their Blackburn v Grimsby score updates. The Kings Go Forth record was played, which although I have not warmed to this yet and in my opinion does not hold a candle to most records played at the Mecca (And Cleethorpes),this will be already be played alongside some of Levine's own productions,northern and modern songs at venues such as Hull Soul Club which has a great ATB policy and usually a busy dance floor.

[Ernie Andrews]

I havnt read all the pages but get the gist of things.

Ian - My memories of you are an amazing Dj especially at the Mecca when you used to use only one deck -= the skill you had as aDj was second to none. The bad part was you werent really approachable as you had a select few who you would talk to and we felt that we were 2nd class citzens in your presence which did annoy quite a few. The music that you introduced to me other than the 60s stompers was fantastic and IMO helped me to understand other genres of soul a bit better. I praise your ventures and shows your diversive approach to music- Obvioulsy some of them have been lambasted by the NS fraternity- My opinion is evolution is natural progression and if I have any crticism its that when you had LJ Johnson etc you were far ahead of your time but you stepped backwards when trying to recreate the 60s stomper sound decades later.IMO you cannot evolute backwards- That was then this is now!

I have many fond memories of The Mecca early to mid and late 70s- The odd night in the Lemon Tree and my small input into Blackpool casino with the late Barry Stanton.

The famous day at the Ritz with the Levine must go banner and badges seems so funny now even if it wasnt at the time.

My friends up here in Aberdeen didnt know you as they are younger than me and everytime you name is mentioned I tell them about your skills as a DJ and what it was like at the mecca when you were in full swing.

Question - How did Richard Searling get the Copy of Cleveland Eaton as I have moaned at him for years to get a cd of the track- as for me it was the perfect record!

Try not to get involved in the name calling and stick to the great wealth of facts and stories that you have so some of the younger elements on here can see you in a different light. rather than making comment as learned behaviours from the stuck in the past people!

ATB Steve Eckersley

[Davetay]

I thought Ian said no rubbish was played in 1973 - ooooh that was played at Wigan, not Blackpool then? .

Melvin Carter deff Blackpool aka Johnny Jackson Expireiace (my spelling is shit)

[Ian Dewhirst]

Yep , Ian Dewhirst turned down Billy Woods from John

Thanks for reminding me pal! For £3.00 as well.

It was over the phone, I'd never heard the record, "I Don't Want To Lose Your Love" on Verve was on EVERY Northern market stall for 25p and just couldn't visualise a RARE Sussex record after wading through 1000's of Bill Withers, Creative Source and Gallery 45's everywhere I went.

Plus John did everything in his power to sell me it to me but I was kinda stubborn in those days and just refused to believe that it wouldn't turn up in quantity.

Boy, was I ever wrong.

Had one in my hand the other week as well, as mint as mint can be but it wasn't for sale unfortunately.

A PHENOMENAL record - one of the greatest Van McCoy songs and productions ever IMO. One of the few wrong moves I ever made to my everlasting regret!

Ian D

[Davetay]

I havnt read all the pages but get the gist of things.

Ian - My memories of you are an amazing Dj especially at the Mecca when you used to use only one deck -= the skill you had as aDj was second to none. The bad part was you werent really approachable as you had a select few who you would talk to and we felt that we were 2nd class citzens in your presence which did annoy quite a few. The music that you introduced to me other than the 60s stompers was fantastic and IMO helped me to understand other genres of soul a bit better. I praise your ventures and shows your diversive approach to music- Obvioulsy some of them have been lambasted by the NS fraternity- My opinion is evolution is natural progression and if I have any crticism its that when you had LJ Johnson etc you were far ahead of your time but you stepped backwards when trying to recreate the 60s stomper sound decades later.IMO you cannot evolute backwards- That was then this is now!

I have many fond memories of The Mecca early to mid and late 70s- The odd night in the Lemon Tree and my small input into Blackpool casino with the late Barry Stanton.

The famous day at the Ritz with the Levine must go banner and badges seems so funny now even if it wasnt at the time.

My friends up here in Aberdeen didnt know you as they are younger than me and everytime you name is mentioned I tell them about your skills as a DJ and what it was like at the mecca when you were in full swing.

Question - How did Richard Searling get the Copy of Cleveland Eaton as I have moaned at him for years to get a cd of the track- as for me it was the perfect record!

Try not to get involved in the name calling and stick to the great wealth of facts and stories that you have so some of the younger elements on here can see you in a different light. rather than making comment as learned behaviours from the stuck in the past people!

ATB Steve Eckersley

I,ve still got a Levine must go badge but don,t tell Ian

[Davetay]

Thanks for reminding me pal! For £3.00 as well.

It was over the phone, I'd never heard the record, "I Don't Want To Lose Your Love" on Verve was on EVERY Northern market stall for 25p and just couldn't visualise a RARE Sussex record after wading through 1000's of Bill Withers, Creative Source and Gallery 45's everywhere I went.

Plus John did everything in his power to sell me it to me but I was kinda stubborn in those days and just refused to believe that it wouldn't turn up in quantity.

Boy, was I ever wrong.

Had one in my hand the other week as well, as mint as mint can be but it wasn't for sale unfortunately.

A PHENOMENAL record - one of the greatest Van McCoy songs and productions ever IMO. One of the few wrong moves I ever made to my everlasting regret!

Ian D

You turned it down twice. You was gonna buy it off me at Leeds Central but changed your mine

[Ian Dewhirst]

I've been studying. You know, Mastermind, specialist subject, The Life And Times of Ian Levine.

You should see the designs she does these days. Not bad at all.

LOL, this guy's relentless!

You're in the wrong business James. Have you ever thought about being a sleuth or maybe an insurance investigator?

Have you actually MET Levine? He's far scarier in real life. You should get together for one of his legendary meals @ Bibendum and shoot the breeze for a while 'cos you've got so much in common..............

Ian D

[Ian Dewhirst]

You turned it down twice. You was gonna buy it off me at Leeds Central but changed your mine

How much was it?

Bet it wasn't £3.00 anymore was it?

Ian D

[Simon M]

You turned it down twice. You was gonna buy it off me at Leeds Central but changed your mine

Ooohh thats gotta hurt so bad Ian

[Davetay]

How much was it?

Bet it wasn't £3.00 anymore was it?

Ian D

I can,t remember, but nothing like todays prices

[Ian Dewhirst]

Ooohh thats gotta hurt so bad Ian

Well it would if I could remember the 2nd occasion LOL.....

Mind you, I had enough other major rarities at the time - Carstairs, Tomangoes, Four Perfections, Detroit Executives, Joe Mathews, Frank Beverly, Lenny Curtis etc, etc but it was always a regret that I never nailed a Billy Woods or a Mel Britt 'cos they were both so up my street.......

So don't make it worse or I'll remind you about writing off your car in Sheffield two weeks ago, OK?

How was Amsterdam?

Ian D

[Ian Dewhirst]

I can,t remember, but nothing like todays prices

I bet that bloody Gary Fields got it didn't he? That guy always strolled into the Central with something I wanted LOL.....

Ian D

[Simon M]

Well it would if I could remember the 2nd occasion LOL.....

Mind you, I had enough other major rarities at the time - Carstairs, Tomangoes, Four Perfections, Detroit Executives, Joe Mathews, Frank Beverly, Lenny Curtis etc, etc but it was always a regret that I never nailed a Billy Woods or a Mel Britt 'cos they were both so up my street.......

So don't make it worse or I'll remind you about writing off your car in Sheffield two weeks ago, OK?

How was Amsterdam?

Ian D

Yeah thanks it was nice , but now I will have a sob about my poor Audi

[Guest]

How much was it?

Bet it wasn't £3.00 anymore was it?

Ian D

I'll look in my box?

No mines gone as well, Think from memory a swap, Found it in Chicago in 76, For 10 cents!

I never paid more than 75c for a record, Which include Included 3 Joe Matthews, 2 Jock Mitchells, a Salvadors,Etc, Etc. Blimey I left a box of at least 15 Lillie Bryants in Chicago as I was worried about weight and presumed it was an old played out Mecca spin

I sold Kev Roberts some tunes as I bumped into him in New York, As I was over on weight, The strange World of Northern Soul?

Andy.

[Davetay]

Well it would if I could remember the 2nd occasion LOL.....

Mind you, I had enough other major rarities at the time - Carstairs, Tomangoes, Four Perfections, Detroit Executives, Joe Mathews, Frank Beverly, Lenny Curtis etc, etc but it was always a regret that I never nailed a Billy Woods or a Mel Britt 'cos they were both so up my street.......

So don't make it worse or I'll remind you about writing off your car in Sheffield two weeks ago, OK?

How was Amsterdam?

Ian D

Funny enough i had a Mel Britt demo for sale about the same time.

I sold it to Mike Kemp, he has still got it.

[Davetay]

I bet that bloody Gary Fields got it didn't he? That guy always strolled into the Central with something I wanted LOL.....

Ian D

No Gary did not get it, but he always had stuff i wanted as well

Not seen him for about a year or two.

[Prophonics 2029]

Margaret Little LOL.

Its just cleared the floor by votes on this thread so it must have potential.

Hands up every one who has attended a soul allnighter in the last 5 years.

Hands up anybody who has been a regular attendey at a soul allnighter in the last 5 years.

Hands up if you have seen a dance floor reaction to Margaret Little.

You really want to get out a bit more.

I suggest playing the recording loud in your bedroom and to dance in front of the mirror till you feel confidence enough to dance all the way through.

Don't upset your mum and wear out the carpet

Edited August 27, 2008 by Prophonics 2029

[Davetay]

I'll look in my box?

No mines gone as well, Think from memory a swap, Found it in Chicago in 76, For 10 cents!

I never paid more than 75c for a record, Which include Included 3 Joe Matthews, 2 Jock Mitchells, a Salvadors,Etc, Etc. Blimey I left a box of at least 15 Lillie Bryants in Chicago as I was worried about weight and presumed it was an old played out Mecca spin

I sold Kev Roberts some tunes as I bumped into him in New York, As I was over on weight, The strange World of Northern Soul?

Andy.

Andy i got a Jock Mitchell for a few cents back than, sold it for a £1

I got £80 for Lillie Bryant in 1979

Left 15 at todays price a few thousand! oh well.

Dave

[Ian Dewhirst]

I'll look in my box?

No mines gone as well, Think from memory a swap, Found it in Chicago in 76, For 10 cents!

I never paid more than 75c for a record, Which include Included 3 Joe Matthews, 2 Jock Mitchells, a Salvadors,Etc, Etc. Blimey I left a box of at least 15 Lillie Bryants in Chicago as I was worried about weight and presumed it was an old played out Mecca spin

I sold Kev Roberts some tunes as I bumped into him in New York, As I was over on weight, The strange World of Northern Soul?

Andy.

LOL, I used to dread it if you or Kegsy got to Bradford Market before me. That would wreck my entire day. If I knew that you'd been there before me, I'd just abort and go to Leeds or Wakefield market instead.

I was dead impressed that you found a promo of the Velvets there! And now I'm wondering what else you may have turned up, since you were around long before me. In fact, I think you were at my first ever Northern gig @ Bradford Polish Club on a Sunday night I seem to recall. I'm sure you tried to get my UK Art Freeman off me LOL......

I've explained the whole beauty of Bostocks in Bradford Market on previous threads on here, but if you have any memories of some of the stuff you turned up over the years, I'm sure it would be of interest to the readers of this thread...

It's great that you're on here mate! I'm just re-living the time when I almost killed everyone and almost wrote the car off when I asked Bob from Bradford to grab the wheel whilst doing 90mph on the M62 coming back from Sale Mecca early on a Friday morning.....it's literally the first time I've thought of that since. I'm pretty sure that you and Kegsy were in the car 'cos I also heard Clyde McPhatter's "Please Give Me One More Chance" and The Ebony's "I'm So Glad I'm Me" both for the first time off a tape that you whacked in the cassette player at the time......

I'm pretty sure that happened didn't it LOL.......?

Always good to confirm great memories with people who were there at the time just for confirmation purposes 'cos that whole period was like a dream......!

Ian D

[Ian Dewhirst]

Yeah thanks it was nice , but now I will have a sob about my poor Audi

Audis are easily replaceable.

Billy Woods, not so easy......

Ian D

[Guest]

Andy i got a Jock Mitchell for a few cents back than, sold it for a £1

I got £80 for Lillie Bryant in 1979

Left 15 at todays price a few thousand! oh well.

Dave

Definately at least 15 or more, And there was a 50 box with Lillie Byant writen on it also but was way up in the rafters and I didn't even bother to go up there! The 15 or 20 I saw with my own eyes on Tayster.

Ouch!!!!!

[Mark B]

LOL, I used to dread it if you or Kegsy got to Bradford Market before me. That would wreck my entire day. If I knew that you'd been there before me, I'd just abort and go to Leeds or Wakefield market instead.

I was dead impressed that you found a promo of the Velvets there! And now I'm wondering what else you may have turned up, since you were around long before me. In fact, I think you were at my first ever Northern gig @ Bradford Polish Club on a Sunday night I seem to recall. I'm sure you tried to get my UK Art Freeman off me LOL......

I've explained the whole beauty of Bostocks in Bradford Market on previous threads on here, but if you have any memories of some of the stuff you turned up over the years, I'm sure it would be of interest to the readers of this thread...

It's great that you're on here mate! I'm just re-living the time when I almost killed everyone and almost wrote the car off when I asked Bob from Bradford to grab the wheel whilst doing 90mph on the M62 coming back from Sale Mecca early on a Friday morning.....it's literally the first time I've thought of that since. I'm pretty sure that you and Kegsy were in the car 'cos I also heard Clyde McPhatter's "Please Give Me One More Chance" and The Ebony's "I'm So Glad I'm Me" both for the first time off a tape that you whacked in the cassette player at the time......

I'm pretty sure that happened didn't it LOL.......?

Always good to confirm great memories with people who were there at the time just for confirmation purposes 'cos that whole period was like a dream......!

Ian D

Sale mecca was the second best place after blackpool mecca i dont think i ever missed one thursday night best night of the week and better still only lived 20 mins away by bus or train.

mark

Edited August 27, 2008 by mark.b

[Ernie Andrews]

Sale mecca was the second best place after blackpool mecca i dont think i ever missed one thursday night best night of the week and better still only lived 20 mins away by bus or train.

mark

Mark do you mean the Blue Rooms?

[Ian Dewhirst]

Sale mecca was the second best place after blackpool mecca i dont think i ever missed one thursday night best night of the week and better still only lived 20 mins away by bus or train.

mark

Agreed. We used to make the pilgrimage from Leeds/Bradford/Huddersfield regularly. I always remember 'Evy' (?) doing his very idiosyncratic but undoubtably effective dance there........

Ian and Colin wasn't it?

I also used to meet Brian '45' Phillips over there for convenience. It was a great night when I picked up both Little Eddie Taylor and the Malibus right before a busy weekend!

Ian D

[Ian Dewhirst]

Mark do you mean the Blue Rooms?

Yep, he does Ernie. I forgot myself...

You old trainspotter!

Ian D

[Mark B]

Mark do you mean the Blue Rooms?

Yes the blue rooms used to be in there with my brother Paul. his friend steve riley, John Hilel and all the streford and sale lot. Tony jackson, Peter Burgess (Budgie), Mike Hutchinson (Hutchie) John Roche (Ross), Siz, Imelda and Eugene, Janice, Hliary Mee, my friend Sharon, Jackie and Sue from stockport, Hilary (now Budgies wife) her mate Moira, and not forgetting Al Birkhead.

Happy Days

mark

[Mark B]

Agreed. We used to make the pilgrimage from Leeds/Bradford/Huddersfield regularly. I always remember 'Evy' (?) doing his very idiosyncratic but undoubtably effective dance there........

Ian and Colin wasn't it?

I also used to meet Brian '45' Phillips over there for convenience. It was a great night when I picked up both Little Eddie Taylor and the Malibus right before a busy weekend!

Ian D

Evy always wore that jumper with evy knitted into it last saw him in manchester about 5 or 6 years ago. still about 9ft 6 tall

mark

[Guest]

LOL, I used to dread it if you or Kegsy got to Bradford Market before me. That would wreck my entire day. If I knew that you'd been there before me, I'd just abort and go to Leeds or Wakefield market instead.

I was dead impressed that you found a promo of the Velvets there! And now I'm wondering what else you may have turned up, since you were around long before me. In fact, I think you were at my first ever Northern gig @ Bradford Polish Club on a Sunday night I seem to recall. I'm sure you tried to get my UK Art Freeman off me LOL......

I've explained the whole beauty of Bostocks in Bradford Market on previous threads on here, but if you have any memories of some of the stuff you turned up over the years, I'm sure it would be of interest to the readers of this thread...

It's great that you're on here mate! I'm just re-living the time when I almost killed everyone and almost wrote the car off when I asked Bob from Bradford to grab the wheel whilst doing 90mph on the M62 coming back from Sale Mecca early on a Friday morning.....it's literally the first time I've thought of that since. I'm pretty sure that you and Kegsy were in the car 'cos I also heard Clyde McPhatter's "Please Give Me One More Chance" and The Ebony's "I'm So Glad I'm Me" both for the first time off a tape that you whacked in the cassette player at the time......

I'm pretty sure that happened didn't it LOL.......?

Always good to confirm great memories with people who were there at the time just for confirmation purposes 'cos that whole period was like a dream......!

Ian D

All true matey! First record I sold you was JB Sex Machine! You were at The Polish club, Loads of stuff off the Market, 100 April Stevens, Same with Charades, Rat Race, Im on my way, Incidentally a Kegsy discovery as was Poor Dog before it was played at NS clubs.Herb Johnson,JB Hey America, Herb Ward, Vel-Vets, I'll have a word with Kegs and Julian Bentley who often beat me to the punch.I found 3 mint Art Freemans on Atlantic in Dewsbury Market.Along with a Alex Patton issue UK, Bostocks also gave me Susan Barrett, Virginia Blakely,Wonderettes,Gene Anderson,Johnny Howard, No wrong that was Dewsbury, Fred Hughes Keep tryin on Exodus, 10 or more Baby boys, Cooperettes, Little Johnny Blair,Susan Raffey,Triumphs Verve and Okeh, Fuzz, Roy Redmond, Marvellos, Anyhow I recall the car as well, The LP With one more chance came from Cheapo cheapo in Soho. I'll get my brain on later and try to come up with more, But as you know you were there at the time! Good to be back in touch again,Seems like yesterday! All the best Andy.

[Ian Dewhirst]

All true matey! First record I sold you was JB Sex Machine! You were at The Polish club, Loads of stuff off the Market, 100 April Stevens, Same with Charades, Rat Race, Im on my way, Incidentally a Kegsy discovery as was Poor Dog before it was played at NS clubs.Herb Johnson,JB Hey America, Herb Ward, Vel-Vets, I'll have a word with Kegs and Julian Bentley who often beat me to the punch.I found 3 mint Art Freemans on Atlantic in Dewsbury Market.Along with a Alex Patton issue UK, Bostocks also gave me Susan Barrett, Virginia Blakely,Wonderettes,Gene Anderson,Johnny Howard, No wrong that was Dewsbury, Fred Hughes Keep tryin on Exodus, 10 or more Baby boys, Cooperettes, Little Johnny Blair,Susan Raffey,Triumphs Verve and Okeh, Fuzz, Roy Redmond, Marvellos, Anyhow I recall the car as well, The LP With one more chance came from Cheapo cheapo in Soho. I'll get my brain on later and try to come up with more, But as you know you were there at the time! Good to be back in touch again,Seems like yesterday! All the best Andy.

Absolutely staggering the quality of stuff from the local market stalls in the North back then. How lucky was that?

I can clearly remember being at the Mecca when Levine played "Rat Race" - The Righteous Brothers Band and later, Spiral Staircase "More Today Than Yesterday" for the first time and me checking both Andy and Kegsy to see if they'd clicked that both these records were on Bradford Market in quantity, just like the Tymes, the Triumphs, the Shalimars, Dottie Cambridge, Alice Clark etc, etc before them...........

Naturally Bradford, Leeds and Wakefield markets were cleared by about 10.00am the following Monday LOL....

Also lovely that all the culprits are on SS!

Whatever bollocks is being hurled around between the various parties, it's nice to know that there's a level of passion, which, if nothing else, is at least CONSISTANT whatever the age of the contributors.

It's pretty serious this Northern Soul thing.

Not something you'd want to relinquish lightly.

Ian D

Edited August 27, 2008 by Ian Dewhirst

[Ernie Andrews]

Agreed. We used to make the pilgrimage from Leeds/Bradford/Huddersfield regularly. I always remember 'Evy' (?) doing his very idiosyncratic but undoubtably effective dance there........

Ian and Colin wasn't it?

I also used to meet Brian '45' Phillips over there for convenience. It was a great night when I picked up both Little Eddie Taylor and the Malibus right before a busy weekend!

Ian D

Ian did you ever come outside and play football in the car park - Spurs versus man city every week with R Searling obviously leading the Spurs lot

I had abet with someone that I would get my C**K out and place it on the paybooth and say "One Please" as I fancied the girl taking the money - cannot remeber her name. The things we do when we are young.

[Ian Dewhirst]

Ian did you ever come outside and play football in the car park - Spurs versus man city every week with R Searling obviously leading the Spurs lot

I had abet with someone that I would get my C**K out and place it on the paybooth and say "One Please" as I fancied the girl taking the money - cannot remeber her name. The things we do when we are young.

Nope, no football matches outside the Blue Rooms for me Ernie.

I was essentially 'pussy-whipped' in those days, so I'd have been practising a slightly more sophisticated version of your above description on all available females whilst you guys were outside pretending to be footballers............

Used to have fun too! Lotsa Mecca regulars there usually - I remember Judy (big friend of Ian's who I last bumped into @ Kev's 50th Birthday) and Martyn Ellis's ex....what was her name?

Ian D

[Guest]

No. She was later, in 1975 and 1976. And she was from Blackpool.

This girl from Southport was 1970 and 1971. I met her at The Wheel. WHAT WAS HER BLOODY NAME ???

Her name was Lynn Garrity.

It was bugging me so much I went and dug out my old diary from the late Sixties/early Seventies. She lived in Shirdley Crescent in Ainsdale.

[Guest]

Hello Stuart,

James Trouble is on his way to Rochdale now, with a bag full of pound coins...

"Here's a pound, love. Can you tell me anything about your sordid relationship with Ian? Here's another pound. What was he like in bed?"

I can imagine the sensational headline... HETRO HOUSEWIFE HAD A KINKY TWO-IN-A-BED ORGY WITH GAY DISC JOCKEY.

Paul Mooney

You're great value, Paul.

She came to the Ritz once, in 2000.

And of course there was Nurse Carol (Carol Bastock), known to all and sundry as "Nursie", a good friend of mine as well as Ian Dewhirst and Stuart Cosgrove. There's a pic of me and her dancing in Wigan doing the Mecca handjive as it was called, in Russ's book, taken in 1975. I think it was the night The Exciters performed "Reaching For The Best" at Wigan.

[Guest]

Just been listening to Steve Woomble as a guest on Radio Hullberside during their Blackburn v Grimsby score updates. The Kings Go Forth record was played, which although I have not warmed to this yet and in my opinion does not hold a candle to most records played at the Mecca (And Cleethorpes),this will be already be played alongside some of Levine's own productions,northern and modern songs at venues such as Hull Soul Club which has a great ATB policy and usually a busy dance floor.

Hull Soul Club.

Now you've told me this, I'm tempted to visit. Sounds like I'd appreciate their attitude to music.

[Guest]

My memories of you are an amazing Dj especially at the Mecca when you used to use only one deck

That's because one of them broke down and they were too cheap to fix it. We had to waffle a bit on the mike with one hand while we changed the record with the other hand.

When we DJ'd there up till the temporary closure when we went to the Torch, in late 1972, they paid us three pounds each.

From 1973 to 1978 they paid me and Colin ten pounds each.

In 1978 after incessantly nagging, they begrudgingly upped it to fifteen pounds each.

And the whole Miracles all dayer took so much persuasion, and weeks and weeks of nagging them to do it, and they filled the whole club with 3,700 people, the all time attendance record at Blackpool Mecca, and Peter Devreux gave me a twenty pound one-off bonus for organising it.

[Guest]

Question - How did Richard Searling get the Copy of Cleveland Eaton as I have moaned at him for years to get a cd of the track- as for me it was the perfect record!

He probably bought my acetate of it, at the same time as he paid me ten pounds for "Cheating Kind".

[Guest]

Thanks for reminding me pal! For £3.00 as well.

What rubbish.

He had four copies and four of us paid twenty five quid each for it.

Why would he have sold it to you for £3 ?? Your memory's failed you on this one.

[Guest]

Have you actually MET Levine? He's far scarier in real life. You should get together for one of his legendary meals @ Bibendum and shoot the breeze for a while 'cos you've got so much in common..............

Ian D

Haven't been to Bibendum much.

Rather go to the Royal China Club, or Chutney Mary.

If he foots the bill, and you come along too, I might actually consider it, but only if he treats us all.

[Guest]

LOL, this guy's relentless!

You're in the wrong business James. Have you ever thought about being a sleuth or maybe an insurance investigator?

Or a bailiff.

Or a telemarketing caller trying to sell alternate phone service providers.

[Guest]

Well it would if I could remember the 2nd occasion LOL.....

Mind you, I had enough other major rarities at the time - Carstairs, Tomangoes, Four Perfections, Detroit Executives, Joe Mathews, Frank Beverly, Lenny Curtis etc, etc but it was always a regret that I never nailed a Billy Woods or a Mel Britt 'cos they were both so up my street.......

Didn't discover either Joe Matthews first. I had Lenny Curtis in 1973, but didn't play it much. All the others were my little babies, especially Mel Britt.

[Ian Dewhirst]

What rubbish.

He had four copies and four of us paid twenty five quid each for it.

Why would he have sold it to you for £3 ?? Your memory's failed you on this one.

Nope. Crystal clear. I think I'd already spent £50 or £60 and it was an add on. I think I got him @ 8.30am just as he'd returned from a trip 'cos he kept pushing me to take it.....

Who got the four out of curiosity? Obviously yourself and Richard but who got the other two then?

Ian D