The Torch Dec 9th 1972

[Guest]

'ere ya are, thanks Mike

https://www.soul-source.co.uk/Torch-D...052#entry978052

Well done young Donnelly : It were like being there again ..........

Malc Burton

[Ian Parker]

after listening to that clip above ^ ^ . i have a question thats bugged me for years :

did the Major have a brass section in the backing band during that Torch gig ? i heard the LP years ago and i thought the band were very bland, hearing it again has prompted me to ask the question

p.s. dont get me wrong, i would have loved to have been there, sadly before my time though

[shelly]

after listening to that clip above ^ ^ . i have a question thats bugged me for years :

did the Major have a brass section in the backing band during that Torch gig ? i heard the LP years ago and i thought the band were very bland, hearing it again has prompted me to ask the question

p.s. dont get me wrong, i would have loved to have been there, sadly before my time though

To my knowledge, severly affectede that night, Major di two shows, the first recorded, the second not.

he sang "You don't want me no more 2 on the second whichisn't on the alum.

I actually shook his haned as he left the second show, I changed the

[shelly]

To my knowledge, severly affectede that night, Major di two shows, the first recorded, the second not.

he sang "You don't want me no more 2 on the second whichisn't on the alum.

I actually shook his haned as he left the second show, I changed the

sorry , but after the second show I shook his hand ,I took the black driving glove off and used the left hand,remember, we only worn one, still have it somewhere, will have a look.

Brilliant night

Apologise if alzeimers has set in.

Shelly

[Mak]

Was there on the night , my 2nd/3rd nighter , can't remember much about the night , but on the LP Martin Ellis commented on , quote ''Another typical Martin Ellis cock-up . What was the cock-up ?

[SHEFFSOUL]

Was there on the night , my 2nd/3rd nighter , can't remember much about the night , but on the LP Martin Ellis commented on , quote ''Another typical Martin Ellis cock-up . What was the cock-up ?

like many others who just missed the Torch..i became a bit obsessed..the live recording/gig was on my 15th birthday, I was promised a lift but it never came...anyway couple years later I got talking to Martyn Ellis at a Samanthas allniter..i asked the same question.. he replied that the band started playing on the wrong cue, came in too early..and he good naturedly took the blame ' i didn't want the band to look bad' from what little i knew of him..seemed rather typical..wonder if Martyn & The Major are chewing the fat at the big allniter in the sky?

[Guest]

like many others who just missed the Torch..i became a bit obsessed..the live recording/gig was on my 15th birthday, I was promised a lift but it never came...anyway couple years later I got talking to Martyn Ellis at a Samanthas allniter..i asked the same question.. he replied that the band started playing on the wrong cue, came in too early..and he good naturedly took the blame ' i didn't want the band to look bad' from what little i knew of him..seemed rather typical..wonder if Martyn & The Major are chewing the fat at the big allniter in the sky?

Given ML's habit in later years of not turning up or going walkabout , I suspect Skewesy could be waiting for him to show .......

Malc Burton

Edited February 4, 2009 by Malc Burton

[Ezzie Brown]

bit of topic but..........i have just found a live tape i recorded at va va's ..........i will stick track listing on here when i remember..................did i ever tell you about the time we got the bus driver smashed ,and he came in the torch with us.............mel drove it home i think .........keep it for another day ,..........cheers .....ezzie

[cloth ears]

I was there for both sessions , it was the soul clapping that made all the difference ! not experienced anything like it since. great memories

[Julianb]

after listening to that clip above ^ ^ . i have a question thats bugged me for years :

did the Major have a brass section in the backing band during that Torch gig ? i heard the LP years ago and i thought the band were very bland, hearing it again has prompted me to ask the question

p.s. dont get me wrong, i would have loved to have been there, sadly before my time though

If you thought the backing group were bad on the recording, you should have heard them at their first UK show with Major in Halifax.

They didn't know the records at all !!! Fortunately I had a ML LP with me and we played the tracks to the band so they knew what they were supposed to be playing!!!

ML signed the LP for me (still got it) and had me on the stage with him leading the clapping, dancing etc( when the band knew what it was supposed to be playing!).

Happy days. Spent the ML Torch recording night on the stage with Otis Leavill, Levine, Minshull, Ellis, Day etc.

Julian

[Dave Fleming]

Here`s a few bits for you Paul,the cuttings are from "Black Echoes",

and the Torch ad is a postcard,and no i never went to the Torch,only

started going in 75

Dave f...............

[Dave Fleming]

Here`s the other ones with the ad for Major Lance,2 or 3 years after his 1st apperance.

Dave f............

[Dave Fleming]

Here`s an interveiw with Major Lance from "BE" March 76 ,

Dave f.............

[Jez Jones]

Here`s a few bits for you Paul,the cuttings are from "Black Echoes",

and the Torch ad is a postcard,and no i never went to the Torch,only

started going in 75

Dave f...............

Bloody Hell. is that a post card---never seen that . Good idea though----'wish you were here' takes on a differnt meaning dunnit?

[Dave Fleming]

Bloody Hell. is that a post card---never seen that . Good idea though----'wish you were here' takes on a differnt meaning dunnit?

No sorry for the mix up it`s the next scan down,the small white card and the one with M Lance in it.

Dave f ................

[Guest]

Here`s the other ones with the ad for Major Lance,2 or 3 years after his 1st apperance.

Dave f............

Chris Burton's original plans for a new " Torch " AN , had been arranged and agreed with the management of a Liverpool venue , the name I cannot recall . Liverpool council strongly objected due to Chris; association with The Torch , despite being two years since its' closure , forcing him to find another venue , which turned out to be The Hardrock in Manchester .

Agreement was reached between Chris and The Hardrock's management to hold ANs , but Manchester Police objected , stating they would not allow ANs because of the problems that aligned to the closure of The Wheel , and would only allow ADs to be held , hence the AD at The Hardrock on the 23rd of March .

Despite the AD being a success , I was told by Chris that he was having problems with the management , due to the pressure Manchester Police were giving them , and doubted the future of any more promotioms there .

This was to be true , as Chris was informed by The Hardrock management on the Thursday following the AD , that the March 25th date was the first and last he would be allowed to hold .

Malc Burton

Edited February 5, 2009 by Malc Burton

[Ezzie Brown]

just found of photo of major singing to crowd at torch in "the in crowd " book.......similar to album cover.........im on both....18yo .....long hair.......glasses....passport photo from same year confirms its me and i loooked a twat!!!!!!!!!!!!remember it ....but cant remember much about the casino at all, ezzie .................prompted me to dig out memorabilia,got lots of tickets, flyers, membership card but no photos

Edited February 5, 2009 by ezzie brown

[Guest]

just found of photo of major singing to crowd at torch in "the in crowd " book.......similar to album cover.........im on both....18yo .....long hair.......glasses....passport photo from same year confirms its me and i loooked a twat!!!!!!!!!!!!remember it ....but cant remember much about the casino at all, ezzie .................prompted me to dig out memorabilia,got lots of tickets, flyers, membership card but no photos

Just had a look at the photograph in " TIC " - is that you to the right ( left as you look at the photograph ) of the chap clapping both hands together , Ezzie ?

Malc Burton

[Ezzie Brown]

Just had a look at the photograph in " TIC " - is that you to the right ( left as you look at the photograph ) of the chap clapping both hands together , Ezzie ?

Malc Burton

bang to rights mate .no hair at now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Pauldonnelly]

for those that missed it

some live stuff and photos of the old tombstone plus the obligatory Woolworth booth photos of the Boro lot.

https://www.soul-source.co.uk/Torch-D...052#entry978052

[Pat Wallace]

Do you know mate I can't remember the Fontella Bass night. I must have gone cos i hardly missed any of the nighters.

Anyway Pat being from Leek do you remember a lad from Leek called Max who was also a regular. Seem to remember he lived in a flat in a big old house in Basford (basford Leek not basford of Queens fame )

he used to come with us to the torch on a fair few occasions with Sneaksy and Nova from Biddulph and Dobbie from Congleton. Not seen him since wigan first year.

Yep Junior walker night was brill although a mate of mine saw him do a gig at the wheel and he said that was without doubt the best Live performance he had seen (though the torch one was a close 2nd)

cheers jez

Sorry Jez, only just seen your post. Yep, I remember Max. I am trying to recall his surname but can only come up with it starting with B He lived near me as well. The flats your talking about were at Basford Nr Cheddleton. We met him and his mate Len down there many a time. Later in life I got know his brother well as he was in the same line of work as me. Not certain what happened to Max, although I think he may not be with us anymore. Seem to remember someone telling me that.

Fontella Bass was one night I will never forget!!!!!

[Jez Jones]

Sorry Jez, only just seen your post. Yep, I remember Max. I am trying to recall his surname but can only come up with it starting with B He lived near me as well. The flats your talking about were at Basford Nr Cheddleton. We met him and his mate Len down there many a time. Later in life I got know his brother well as he was in the same line of work as me. Not certain what happened to Max, although I think he may not be with us anymore. Seem to remember someone telling me that.

Fontella Bass was one night I will never forget!!!!!

Pat,

Was Len the one with the pretty thick glasses. Remeber them well. Yes we often went down there as well

Was It Max Buckley or Bailey something tells me??

Anyway shame if he's aint with us no more, always got on well with those lads---and obviously had some good times