Top Dancers Early Casino Days & Other Venues

[Guest POTTERIESPECK]

TOTALLY AGREE, I THINK BACK IN THEM DAYS MOST PEOPLE COULD MORE OR LESS STRUTT THEIR STUFF EVEN IF THEY WERE'NT THAT GOOD WITH THEIR FOOTWORK. IT SEEMED AT LEAST THEIR BODIES HAD A FEEL FOR THE RYTHM + THE BEAT OF THE MUSIC. DON'T KNOW IF IT'S ME OR NOT BUT IT SEEMS A LOT OF THE YOUNG'ENS CAN'T DANCE IN TIME OR RYTHM TO THE MUSIC [ even with it being generally a lot slower pace these days ].

[Gigs]

I noticed a couple of guys on here from Chesterfield area, who were'nt to shabby themselves at wigan but should also mention MONA, and as mentioned earlier Vernon from bradford all Brilliant

[Citizen P]

I noticed a couple of guys on here from Chesterfield area, who were'nt to shabby themselves at wigan but should also mention MONA, and as mentioned earlier Vernon from bradford all Brilliant

Mona has been spotted doing his thing at the last couple of Heywood do's.

Quite brave really when you realise that Knocker was doing the driving.

Tony

[Guest JerryL]

yes jerry yourself, paul ,steve were the guys with the moves we looked up to and admired for your dancin skills constantly trying to imitate but rarely achieving it and as paul showed last time at soulfusion he can still cut a rug lol.

col

Yes Paul can still cut it but my knees are shot and I had an op earlier this year and the consultant told me I would need a knee rebuild in 10 years time, doctor asked me why it was so worn and when I told him he fell about laughing.

Has anyone els had body probs from dancing over the years? or is it just me.

[Guest Soul Shelley]

What about Simmo (Mark Simmonds ) from Notts, Still doing it now at local venues.

[Guest Scarborosoul]

Ha!! Hutchy........

Last time I saw him was when I nearly kicked his head off........ We were in the Dun Cow at a Sunday soul night and Wally Black was playing something really uptempo I came out of a spin and into a turnover and caught Hutch in the process.....

Gave him a right kick in the head..... I saw him again the week after and he said he couldnt remember the week before lol

Rick

[Davenpete]

I'm afraid I'm a tad biased here on this topic, as I think(well know) that my better half-=CHRIS HOLMES-has always and still is,one of the best and finest dancers to watch on any decent dancefloor.He's always had his own style;no acrobatics or spinning;just fine footwork,style and timing to any record.Often copied but NEVER matched and just a pleasure to watch at any time.

I know our good matey,Trevski,will agree with my choice also.

Soo Holmes

Sue my dear ho are you? Yes I can attest to the fact that when Chris gets on the floor he's fantastic.

Pete and Dave

PS Best shuffler I ever saw was Gary Walmsley.

Edited August 9, 2009 by DaveNPete

[wiganelli]

TOTALLY AGREE, I THINK BACK IN THEM DAYS MOST PEOPLE COULD MORE OR LESS STRUTT THEIR STUFF EVEN IF THEY WERE'NT THAT GOOD WITH THEIR FOOTWORK. IT SEEMED AT LEAST THEIR BODIES HAD A FEEL FOR THE RYTHM + THE BEAT OF THE MUSIC. DON'T KNOW IF IT'S ME OR NOT BUT IT SEEMS A LOT OF THE YOUNG'ENS CAN'T DANCE IN TIME OR RYTHM TO THE MUSIC [ even with it being generally a lot slower pace these days ].

potteriespeck got to agree 100% these days they cant dance and youre also true in saying they have no feeling for the music ive seen em all at wigan early days back drop splits and all that!!! my mate is ant burke off you tube (the lad spinning round)and to this day when we talk about dancers 1 name just crops up FRANK BOOPER and for all of you out there who never see him dont even try and compare he was the best ever at wigan by a mile and its nice to talk to him when i see him at the wheel and we have a laugh about certain things!! VIVA BOOPER

[Guest quickstep]

my fav dancer mid 70s round nottingham ,who went to blackpool mecca, cleethorpes and other places who had very good footwork was Andy Gothard who was a pleasure to watch . he was a very different type of dancer

[Gilly]

Hi anyone remember Janey Nichols from Halton nr Lancaster i'm sure she won an early Wigan dance comp, she was as pretty as a picture.I think Dave Evison went out with her for a while,as he did most blonds in those days,still a great guy and looks so happy these days nice one Dave regards Gilly

[Billywhizz]

Hi anyone remember Janey Nichols from Halton nr Lancaster i'm sure she won an early Wigan dance comp, she was as pretty as a picture.I think Dave Evison went out with her for a while,as he did most blonds in those days,still a great guy and looks so happy these days nice one Dave regards Gilly

Hello Gilly,i can't remember any girls winning a dancing comp at Wigan,it was a boys thing lol.

Billy

[Pauldonnelly]

Hello Gilly,i can't remember any girls winning a dancing comp at Wigan,it was a boys thing lol.

Billy

DANNY DANIELS -- PETERBOROUGH -- 1975

[Guest HindleyPhil]

INGRID ..... NORTH WALES.

Phil Kendrick and Tom Mercer where the old fashoined type of dancers. Never really into the acrobatics but had great soul full dance moves but it was always each to there own - Northern Soul was and always will be a "Way of Life "

[Campagnolo 1]

What about jerry and Paul from gloucester.........Actually that would be me Hem-hem!

I had spinning off to a fine art and Booper always made a bee line for me and dance next to me to intimidate me, Never worked, but he felt the need to do it.

I was asked by an Indian guy if I would teach him for cash but it was always somethin personal to me, Like my Identification.

Modesty,always the best policy.? p.s. did you mean" identity" (sorry couldnt resist.)

[Guest yorks old boys]

I'm afraid I'm a tad biased here on this topic, as I think(well know) that my better half-=CHRIS HOLMES-has always and still is,one of the best and finest dancers to watch on any decent dancefloor.He's always had his own style;no acrobatics or spinning;just fine footwork,style and timing to any record.Often copied but NEVER matched and just a pleasure to watch at any time.

I know our good matey,Trevski,will agree with my choice also.

Soo Holmes

must agree sue watched chris dave and ian dance in the final with geof rowan from manchester in first place in 70ts and chris still moves to the music

[soulsalmon]

Me...ask Salmon

You were indeed in a class of your own mr rankin,always liked watching Gill dance ,but that was just so i could get a glance of her arse when she spun

[Guest]

potteriespeck got to agree 100% these days they cant dance and youre also true in saying they have no feeling for the music ive seen em all at wigan early days back drop splits and all that!!! my mate is ant burke off you tube (the lad spinning round)and to this day when we talk about dancers 1 name just crops up FRANK BOOPER and for all of you out there who never see him dont even try and compare he was the best ever at wigan by a mile and its nice to talk to him when i see him at the wheel and we have a laugh about certain things!! VIVA BOOPER

remember Booper always spinning off-spot and crashing into people all the time,his nemesis was Andy Simpson from Bradford and Andy's pedigree dated back from the Wheel,Torch,Va-Va,Blackpool Mecca.He was awsome.Could spin on either foot and hold the spin more accurate than an ice skater-never losing control.He was the best ever and also the most modest and natural.He had no move prcise or choreographed,he just exploded in with the passion of the sound and all the climaxes.Andy was never fazed by his talent and just laughed it off.Who could ever forget the crowds that formed around him on the dancefloors to watch?

Frank Booper spinning at Mecca,yeah,untill the Carstairs came on,then it was all over for him,that human blurr andy Simpson outspun Booper and everyone else almost leaving burn marks on the floor.End of the story-goodnight Vienna (Frank Booper !)

Notts Rob

[grant]

You were indeed in a class of your own mr rankin,always liked watching Gill dance ,but that was just so i could get a glance of her arse when she spun

why thank u sir! need to get the grease gun out for fri though, oh and remember those embroidered patch pockets of mine with 'Prince & Princess' stitched on them!!

[soulsalmon]

why thank u sir! need to get the grease gun out for fri though, oh and remember those embroidered patch pockets of mine with 'Prince & Princess' stitched on them!!

remember it well mate ,who was the guy who had ellingtons-lips to your heart embroidered on when it was still covered ?.See you friday

[grant]

remember it well mate ,who was the guy who had ellingtons-lips to your heart embroidered on when it was still covered ?.See you friday

he was called gary, came from newcastle (upon tyne) if i remember correctly and im sure it was his sis who did his and my pocket stitching!

[Guest HindleyPhil]

Nice post. And so right.

I like dancing myself and thoroughly enjoy every minute that I do. But as much a part of any night for me is watching others also. No matter how someone dances, most have something in their routine that catches the eye. Something different from everyone else.

I was pretty good myself back then , so was my M8 Tom Mercer.

[ianr]

he was called gary, came from newcastle (upon tyne) if i remember correctly and im sure it was his sis who did his and my pocket stitching!

Gary never had a sister

[Guest JerryL]

Modesty,always the best policy.? p.s. did you mean" identity" (sorry couldnt resist.)

No need to appologise yes its what I meant to say.....

[Guest Northern PhanTom]

We were all entertained by the music but also the fantastic dancers who gave us so much pleasure to watch!

Those I remember by name were: Fank Booper, Matchy, Jethro & Squeek (Wolverhampton) to name just a few!

As a Nott's lad got to go with some local talent,

In no particular order,

Tommo

Potsy

Steve Phyllis

Don Ryan

Chris Guest

But to name a few

Sorry if I've missed anyone off the list

ATB

Tom

[Guest kev.k]

I have to say cockney Pete,he seemed to glide as did so many more.......Cathy Kirby is from Bradford an old dear friend of mine,havn't seen her for years.....Vernon,,,lived round the corner from him,is sister was a good dancer too,,,,,Paul Murphy,went to school with Paul,hes a tad bit younger than me,,,,,,met up with Paul about 5yrs ago in bradford,so he goes to Brighouse,,,,,next time iam up that way......Paul if your out there its Kev............

[Soulfulhound]

remember Booper always spinning off-spot and crashing into people all the time,his nemesis was Andy Simpson from Bradford and Andy's pedigree dated back from the Wheel,Torch,Va-Va,Blackpool Mecca.He was awsome.Could spin on either foot and hold the spin more accurate than an ice skater-never losing control.He was the best ever and also the most modest and natural.He had no move prcise or choreographed,he just exploded in with the passion of the sound and all the climaxes.Andy was never fazed by his talent and just laughed it off.Who could ever forget the crowds that formed around him on the dancefloors to watch?

Frank Booper spinning at Mecca,yeah,untill the Carstairs came on,then it was all over for him,that human blurr andy Simpson outspun Booper and everyone else almost leaving burn marks on the floor.End of the story-goodnight Vienna (Frank Booper !)

Notts Rob

Have to agree with you Rob, Andy was superb... but you couldn't get too close to him in mid-spin or you got lashed to death with his hair

or sprayed with sweat - brilliant..oh happy times. Also, dancing next to him at the Va-Va I always felt like a right twat!

CHRIS

Edited November 4, 2009 by SOULFULHOUND

[Guest JerryL]

Blondie Angie Lawrence from Staffordshire, was a great dancer too......won the dance comp at the Torch

[wiganelli]

Have to agree with you Rob, Andy was superb... but you couldn't get too close to him in mid-spin or you got lashed to death with his hair

or sprayed with sweat - brilliant..oh happy times. Also, dancing next to him at the Va-Va I always felt like a right twat!

CHRIS

MUST AV BEEN GOING TO DIFFERENT ALL -NIGHTERS I NEVER SEE BOOPER GOING OFF SPOT (THATS WHY HE KEPT WINNING ALL THE DANCING COMPS)WELL DONE FRANK !! SEE YOU AT THE WHEEL IF YOURE LOOKN

[Patto]

Hi Guys,love reading these type of threads.I missed out on the Casino but over the years i have seen out most of the great dancers you have all mentioned.However i have never knowingly met or seen the Legendary Frank Booper.Are there any posted photos of him or tube clips with him in just to put an image to the name i keep hearing about

[Casper]

As a Nott's lad got to go with some local talent,

In no particular order,

Tommo

Potsy

Steve Phyllis

Don Ryan

Chris Guest

But to name a few

Sorry if I've missed anyone off the list

ATB

Tom

I too know all these guys, use to hang out with Chris's sister Elaine...knew her from school(good dancer too). Don's sister,Pauline, lives next door to me.havent seen Don for years tho,probably wont remember me anyway.

from susan.

Edited December 1, 2009 by casper

[Guest nubes]

I too know all these guys, use to hang out with Chris's sister Elaine...knew her from school(good dancer too). Don's sister,Pauline, lives next door to me.havent seen Don for years tho,probably wont remember me anyway.

from susan.

What about Garfield Green...wasnt he from Nottingham too??...bloody good dancer...and as for spinning ..really was in a class of his own....Delxxxxx

[Casper]

What about Garfield Green...wasnt he from Nottingham too??...bloody good dancer...and as for spinning ..really was in a class of his own....Delxxxxx

Yes I remember the name. There was also Gus Tucker, "Curly", Billy Broom...the list is endless in respect of good dancers. My friend Diane Stanley was and still is,a fabulous stomper.unfortunately as time goes by we cant always put a name to alot of those faces that we remember....and sadly some are no longer with us...but hey what wonderful memories.

KTF

Susan(mrs Casper)

[Guest Northern PhanTom]

I too know all these guys, use to hang out with Chris's sister Elaine...knew her from school(good dancer too). Don's sister,Pauline, lives next door to me.havent seen Don for years tho,probably wont remember me anyway.

from susan.

Take it you went Haywood then? Went junior school with Don. Melvin, Chris and Shaun plus backed up by "The Forest Lounge Crew" Sherwood Inn.

Knocked about with Don's bro Liam for a good part of the early 80's along with Tony Mullins after my mentor Mick H from Eliot Durham and the rest of the crew took a well earned break. After that it was who ever was still kickin about from Notts until the early 90's and the Holly Cross where I met my better half and moved down to Northants still out every weekend but Nighters are now limited to mainly Rugby. KTF

Tom

Edited December 13, 2009 by Northern PhanTom

[Casper]

Take it you went Haywood then? Went junior school with Don. Melvin, Chris and Shaun plus backed up by "The Forest Lounge Crew" Sherwood Inn.

Knocked about with Don's bro Liam for a good part of the early 80's along with Tony Mullins after my mentor Mick H from Eliot Durham and the rest of the crew took a well earned break. After that it was who ever was still kickin about from Notts until the early 90's and the Holly Cross where I met my better half and moved down to Northants still out every weekend but Nighters are now limited to mainly Rugby. KTF

Tom

No i went to Padstow...from bestwood park originally...moved to Germany for 3yrs...wiltshire 2yrs back to Nottm...Derby 15yrs now im back on home turf..

do we know each other then?? I used to be small with short dark hair...but quite a few of the girls did also so i suppose thats not much help.I too know Tony Mullins he lived in Sherwood....did you know any of the Carlton /mapperly/netherfield soulies?

kev and David Husband...Pep malph..Steve Brown...Matthew Tripette...Sonia and Jayne Disney...John "Lonnie" Lochran.

There was also a lad who used to knock about with the above called Michael Hancock, his nick name was "Dopey "

I would probably remember more if i think about it for a bit....still its sometimes hard to remember everybody there were so many of us from all over...its always been and still is one great big northern soul family

KTF susan

Edited December 14, 2009 by casper

[Chris L]

At the early Mecca (72-73) & The Torch Renee Geller (hope I've spelt this correctly) was as about

as famous as some DJs, well into the fazst stuff, Coming to your rescue, Little Quennie, etc.

Chris L

[Mr Fred]

For me The Best dancer of all time just has to be Matchy he used to play at it and when he turned it on we used to be mesmorised his timing perfect,back drops effortless and a fantastic sence of timing.There were a few more i can recall. Steve ceaser from leeds,Spinner Mick from Todmorden,Al Horsforth from Huddersfield brilliant spinner

Mr fred

[Mr Fred]

I should have included in my last message these other two brilliant dancers Rob Ward (My Brother) and Graham mallia both Hail from Huddersfield.

[nrc]

Matchy good dancer, also Val from Manchester, but also a good dancer Pete Tildsley

[Guest]

We were all entertained by the music but also the fantastic dancers who gave us so much pleasure to watch!

Those I remember by name were: Fank Booper, Matchy, Jethro & Squeek (Wolverhampton) to name just a few!

Me , at Black Horse in Leighton Buzzard and Bletsoe (ask SoulCarp, he were actually quite a good dancer, he tells me hes still practicing ), as regards others most deffo Booper, and the 'headspinners' at the Catacombs.

[Guest]

By "headspinners" you must mean Andy,Eggy and one other lad whose name i forget? Often wore "Homepride" striped shirts tried to emulate them often obliterated many a table in my time i might add.but those three, when you think of the small area available at the Cat´s were brilliant!

Steve

ONLY tables ? LOL...yep Homepride shirts, never knew their names but used to spin with their hands on their heads, I can still do triple spins , but never ever have I been able to headspin, I never saw Frank Booper do a headspin come to think of it, and we used to see him regularly at the old Bradford Allnighter. now

THAT had a small floor, two people on it were a crowd

Edited February 17, 2010 by DanDare

[Ernie Andrews]

Does anyone remeber the guy at Wigan who did the fastest foot shuffle to Seventh wonders - Captain of my ship?

[Ian Parker]

Does anyone know who the first chap dancing with the glasses is on this video???

What an amazing dancer

He looks really natural without trying too hard

I would say he was one of the best

Debbie x

[Mak]

As a Nott's lad got to go with some local talent,

In no particular order,

Tommo

Potsy

Steve Phyllis

Don Ryan

Chris Guest

But to name a few

Sorry if I've missed anyone off the list

ATB

Tom

Tommo still strutting his stuff , when he's not playing in his pipe band .

Ask anyone from Nottm and the name that comes up most is a lad called Andy Gothard, best mover by a country mile

[Miss Wasperella]

Does anyone remeber the guy at Wigan who did the fastest foot shuffle to Seventh wonders - Captain of my ship?

Oh yes I do - what a mover - absolutely fantastic

[Guest]

Does anyone know who the first chap dancing with the glasses is on this video???

What an amazing dancer

He looks really natural without trying too hard

I would say he was one of the best

Debbie x

See the the guy in this clip, now he CAN dance, anybody know who he is?, Booper it's not

https://www.youtube.c...h?v=DUOt8OgbKqo

And they're all pretty good here, little feller using all the floor reminds me of Mark Woodfine, looks and style

Edited February 20, 2010 by DanDare

[Ian Parker]

Does anyone know who the first chap dancing with the glasses is on this video???

What an amazing dancer

He looks really natural without trying too hard

I would say he was one of the best

Debbie x

Debbie, the coloured guy with specs is mentioned in the comments below the video. the late Pete Ricketts from Dudley.... yes he's a cool mover, very much reminds me of 'Coco' and Pete Brown from Grantham. both moved much the same way as that guy.

IAN x

[Guest Dave Turner]

Debbie, the coloured guy with specs is mentioned in the comments below the video. the late Pete Ricketts from Dudley.... yes he's a cool mover, very much reminds me of 'Coco' and Pete Brown from Grantham. both moved much the same way as that guy .

IAN x

Worked with Coco for many years up the can factory, Springfield Road.

Believe me, he didn't move much at all

[Ian Parker]

Yeah thats true Dave, the only time i saw him move was on a dancefloor

[Guest Dave Turner]

Yeah thats true Dave, the only time i saw him move was on a dancefloor

What's he doin' nowadays? Last I heard he was down the smoke

Ok, more modern day and a bit off topic but I could watch this lass all day/night. Just a great mover. Really gets into it at around 2.00

Shite record (IMO) but a fantastic dancer (IMO)

Edited February 20, 2010 by Dave Turner

[Guest fastdancer]

Dianne Mooney,