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Wigan No.1's


Guest KEN-SOUL

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Guest mel brat

How many though of those listed so far were played there first time or just very popular there?

I always thought all the Lou Roberts tracks where levine discoveries that he just did not get round to playing at the Mecca!!

Ed

Lou Roberts WAS played at the Mecca, and elsewhere but didn't really take off until it was revived about a year later.

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Guest mel brat

s'truth. never would have thought.

'love machine' by the miracles was another of those, wasn't it?

I see it on compilations now but associate it more with your

'annabelle's nitespot' than the all-nighter scene.

That's because you possibly weren't around when it was a really hot new import, marking Motown's long awaited re-emergence into the dancefloor stakes! Whether it qualifies as "Northern" depends on your interpretation of the term. I'd say not. If it was played at Wigan that's because it had been big as a new disco release at the Mecca/Cleethorpes, and had crossed over (as it were) to a more open-minded, varied (and fun) Station Road playlist than had existed before and was to exist later.

K.C.'s "Queen Of Clubs" was tipped by Dave Godin as a possible contender for Northern spins and was first played out at the opening night of the Inter-City Soul Club, at the 67 Club in Wolverhampton in 1974 (on UK Jay Boy - not on import) It was a fair enough dance record but despite quite liking it (and buying it), I was never really convinced it would be big on the Northern scene.

However, It was one of those records that highlighted how contemporary American recordings were again getting closer to the dance beats of the 60s at a time when records with a "Northern-dancefloor-friendly" beat were still far from the norm Stateside. The fact that these records later entered the UK charts and were subsequently played at "pop" discos is neither here nor there. R. Dean Taylor and Tavares likewise.

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What about these ...do they count?

John Leach

Burning Bush

Carol and Gerri

Charles Johnson

Kenny Burke

Court Davis

Piere Hunt

and of course...Little Ann

John Leach nobody ever liked and hardly anyone danced to, Burning Bush and Carol & Gerri were 4 week wonders then booted. Little Ann though, no arguments there.

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That's because you possibly weren't around when it was a really hot new import, marking Motown's long awaited re-emergence into the dancefloor stakes! Whether it qualifies as "Northern" depends on your interpretation of the term. I'd say not. If it was played at Wigan that's because it had been big as a new disco release at the Mecca/Cleethorpes, and had crossed over (as it were) to a more open-minded, varied (and fun) Station Road playlist than had existed before and was to exist later.

K.C.'s "Queen Of Clubs" was tipped by Dave Godin as a possible contender for Northern spins and was first played out at the opening night of the Inter-City Soul Club, at the 67 Club in Wolverhampton in 1974 (on UK Jay Boy - not on import) It was a fair enough dance record but despite quite liking it (and buying it), I was never really convinced it would be big on the Northern scene.

However, It was one of those records that highlighted how contemporary American recordings were again getting closer to the dance beats of the 60s at a time when records with a "Northern-dancefloor-friendly" beat were still far from the norm Stateside. The fact that these records later entered the UK charts and were subsequently played at "pop" discos is neither here nor there. R. Dean Taylor and Tavares likewise.

I don't know why I was bunging the miracles in the same sack then.

I attended all-nighters in the east anglia area from late 74 & throughout 75 & 76, with occasional visits up north to wigan. I just don't remember the miracles getting plays at the wirrina or st.ives. paul donnelly might be able to put me right on that front. I remember all the ian levine produced stuff, and things like barnaby bye, rodger collins, alpaca phase III etc, but NOT the miracles. maybe it's a case of selective memory. the mind is a funny old thing...

M

Edited by macca
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Guest KEN-SOUL

probrably my first memory of a big wigan hit was The Reflections- like adam and eve

we absolutely loved this back then. the two biggest ever on the scene in my memory were Cecil washington and Vickie Baines- country girl. the later saw the biggest stampede to the floor i ever witnessed. wasnt "say it isnt so" no1? also "i walked away"?

p.s. i clicked on the soundbite to a radio show hosting ady croasdell and a top 6 rare records on here somewhere, and i was blown away by ARTHUR WILLIS- THE HURTING IS OVER. how could i obtain a copy/compilation of this on c.d.? smile.gif

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Don't you mean hate it or really hate it Steve biggrin.gif !! Along with Tim Tam and The Nightwatch records , thats got to be Wigans worst ever , in my opinion of course !! Best,Eddie

I agree with Tim Tam and Nightwatch Eddie - though I quite like Muriel Day! Not as a Northern record, just as a good pop song. Anyway add Black Power to that worst list.

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I agree with Tim Tam and Nightwatch Eddie - though I quite like Muriel Day! Not as a Northern record, just as a good pop song. Anyway add Black Power to that worst list.

Tim Tam and fookin turn offs - top quality shite.

That Manifesto shit as well - can't even remember it properly - summat of thyme summat. Fooking shit. Add that Ral Donner filth as well. Probably never that big - but shite.

angry.gif

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Tim Tam and fookin turn offs - top quality shite.

That Manifesto shit as well - can't even remember it properly - summat of thyme summat. Fooking shit. Add that Ral Donner filth as well. Probably never that big - but shite.

angry.gif

Yes Peter , Case of Tyme " Shop at tesco " and Ral Donner , he was an Elvis soundalike wasn't he ? Best,Eddie

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Yes Peter , Case of Tyme " Shop at tesco " and Ral Donner , he was an Elvis soundalike wasn't he ? Best,Eddie

:thumbsup:

Forgot that Shop at Tesco Eddie!

I always thought that Ral Donner was a bit Elvis like - and yes someone confirmed on another thread recently that he did actually do Elvis tribute gigs.

Peter

thumbsup.gif

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I got that on a inferno picture cover and coloured vinyl, (I think) still crap though

Yes it was on inferno. I had it - might still have it on some red and orangey label - I think.

Definitely shite though. I remember my mum even saying it was a cheap Elvis mimic type piece of rubbish.

biggrin.gif

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Tim Tam and fookin turn offs - top quality shite.

That Manifesto shit as well - can't even remember it properly - summat of thyme summat. Fooking shit. Add that Ral Donner filth as well. Probably never that big - but shite.

angry.gif

Scooby (Glen Parkinson) took Tim Tam to the Legion for me to play, back in the day.But i give it the DT treatment instead, broke the f++ker. Sorry Scoob.

I don,t mind Shop at Tesco though :thumbsup:

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Has anyone mentioned Milton Wright -I belong to you , which still sounds brilliant IMO .Esther Phillips " What a difference a day makes " , George Benson " Supership " and " On Broadway " were massive new releases , though probably played at the Mecca first , Epic or Mel Bratt could confirm ? Has anyone mentioned Williams and Watson " Too late " ? Although probably played at The Torch etc , this was truly massive when played by Martyn Ellis just as dawn was breaking , with the sun streaming through the windows [ ah memories !! ] Best ,Eddie

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Guest KEN-SOUL

we absolutely loved ral doner - "dont let it slip" away, in scotland! and nightwatch- "lips to your heart" stop disrespecting the records we used to love or still do! sad.gif

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The first time I went to Wigan, The Tomangoe's- I really Love You was belting out as I walked from the car park to the entrance.My first memories of the Casino and a record I would consider an anthem.

Other records not mentioned so far I believe:

Freddie Chevez- They'll Never Know Why,

Al Wilson- Help Me

Jodi Mathis- Don't You Care Anymore

Jeanette Williams- All Of A Sudden

Johnny Caswell- You Don't Love Me Anymore

Steve

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Guest KEN-SOUL

the two records which haunted my head in the late 70's were JAY TRAYNER-"UP AND OVER", and "I DONT HAVE A MIND OF MY OWN" B.J. THOMAS??

i agree that the turnover of records was massive at wigan, therefor the "anthem" was also fleeting... but these anthems were somehow very important to us kids at the time (you see, some of us were not as old and decrepit as some of the postees!!!?)

as the death-agony of the capitalist system descends upon us, with culture and music at a dead end, with darkness all around, the comfort of the memories of our childhood dancing away merrily are with us in the old music....(what the hell im i rabbiting on about???) unsure.gif

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the two records which haunted my head in the late 70's were JAY TRAYNER-"UP AND OVER", and "I DONT HAVE A MIND OF MY OWN" B.J. THOMAS??

i agree that the turnover of records was massive at wigan, therefor the "anthem" was also fleeting... but these anthems were somehow very important to us kids at the time (you see, some of us were not as old and decrepit as some of the postees!!!?)

as the death-agony of the capitalist system descends upon us, with culture and music at a dead end, with darkness all around, the comfort of the memories of our childhood dancing away merrily are with us in the old music....(what the hell im i rabbiting on about???) unsure.gif

I really like those two as well Ken , sorry for knocking two of your faves mate , different strokes for different folks an all that :thumbsup: Best wishes ,Eddie

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the two records which haunted my head in the late 70's were JAY TRAYNER-"UP AND OVER", and "I DONT HAVE A MIND OF MY OWN" B.J. THOMAS??

i agree that the turnover of records was massive at wigan, therefor the "anthem" was also fleeting... but these anthems were somehow very important to us kids at the time (you see, some of us were not as old and decrepit as some of the postees!!!?)

as the death-agony of the capitalist system descends upon us, with culture and music at a dead end, with darkness all around, the comfort of the memories of our childhood dancing away merrily are with us in the old music....(what the hell im i rabbiting on about???) :D

I like Jay Traynor - the lyrics tear at the old heart strings a bit don't they.

Used to love dancing to this.

:(

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Hi Paul,

Not really trying to blame Wigan.

More making the point it made the transition from M's to the main hall where it was a very popular dancer.

But still shite imo.

I don't think you can blame Wigan, Wheel record I thought. Great Dancer though, played in Mr Ms as an oldie.

Paul

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Tim Tam-Wait a minute was a big and popular spin so much so it got booted, but if memory serves it only got spun for about a week or 2 (at the Casino) at most around 1976/7, i forget which year, but it got found-out as being on UK, and that was a sort of no-no at the Casino. Me, i liked it, but i remember many hated it with a passion which pretty much killed any future releases by the group which by my reckoning was 10+ years when "Dont Say Hi" was found and never even got played cos it was white and even tho its DETROIT it aint exactly the right NS play. Thats the politics of the scene i believe. "HI" is a very powerful NS stomper and 10 times better than "wait". Plus "HI" is voc/ins so the loss to NS fans of a cracking inst side, Detroit to boot, well what can i say about that. Sure its all about personal taste but had "HI" been known about in '76, "Wait.." would have never seen the light of day.

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