Mike

Information via Greg Tormo ( www.geocities.com/solidhit ) and Dave Brown of Philly Archives. Herb Johnson passed away Monday January 19th in Philadelphia, PA of cancer, aged 68. Born December 26th, 1935 in North Carolina, Herb moved to Philadelphia with his family when he was nine years old. As a teenager attending Overbrook High School, Herb auditioned at the Royal Theatre on South Street for a radio spot on WPEN, singing "You Belong To Me" by one of his favorite groups, The Orioles. In 1953 Herb joined the U.S. Air Force, singing with a group called The Lyrics who performed on USO tours singing R&B hits of the day. By the mid fifties, he began singing with a West Philly vocal group The Ambassadors who participated in a talent show at the Leader Theatre at 41st and Lancaster Avenue. By 1960 Herb made his first single for Len Records called "Guilty", a local hit, selling over 50,000 copies in the Philadelphia area alone. Shortly after, he recorded two singles for V-Tone Records and by the mid 60s recorded some soul 45s for Swan, Arctic and Tyler Records which are still popular with soul fans in England. Herb, along with Kenny Gamble sang the male backing vocals on Barbara Masons hit, "Yes Im Ready". With his instrumental group The Impacts, Herb performed all over the Philadelphia club circuit throughout the 60s and early 70s. The bass player for The Impacts, Wally Osborne, formed the Toxan label in 1968, releasing Herbs uptempo soul classic, "Im So Glad". This record did well enough to get released nationally on Brunswick and became a hit in England when it reached their shores five years later. By the early 70s, Herb released the funky "Damph Faint" for Toxan which was recorded in one take in a basement studio inside a shoe store in Northeast Philly called Impact Sound . This song has been on many funk collections over the years and was recently reissued properly on Herbs CD called "Remember Me". Herb continued singing with acappella groups The Zip Codes and A Moments Pleasure and he recently performed some live shows with a new band featuring guitarist Bobby Eli who played with Herb in the original Impacts group. This past summer, Herb recorded a single for the Timmion label in Finland called "Make You Wanna Holler". Relatives, friends and fans are invited to attend a viewing Monday morning 9-11 AM KENT FUNERAL HOME 6506-20 Haverford Ave. Phila. (215-748-1900). Funeral Services at 11 AM

The Soul Talk List Invite to join Soul Talk A list for talking that soul be it northern modern r and b or whatever After 3 years of quality soul discussion the SOUL TALK List has recently moved to a new home which offers improved email discussion plus many web based features. To join just Send a email to soultalk-subscribe@smartgroups.com or if want to make max use of the site features can sign up at or just use the box below Cheers and enjoy that soul SOUL TALK List moderating team Ady Croasdell Andy Killock Dave Rimmer Nick Gilbert Paul Donnely out of date!

ON THE SCENE (The only INDEPENDENT FREE UK SOUL GIG GUIDE) listing February events is now out. Available at all good specialist record shops as well as at most soul events throughout the UK. You can also obtain it direct from Fresh Promotions by sending an SAE to Fresh Promotions, PO Box 1088, Blackpool or taking out a yearly subscription by calling 01253 318267 to guarantee you dont miss an issue. Keep it soulful Paul Fresh Promotions

SOUL IN THE CITY - NEW VENUE Yes were on the move again, after 6 brilliant months at nylon we were evicted just before our January event. Despite the fact that their management initially approached us to put on a Northern night & their club was empty 5 nights a week they decided that our music alienated their clientele & the 150 that we averaged each month wasnt enough for them. Not to worry, Im pleased to say that we have managed to secure a brilliant venue just 5 minutes down the road at Vivo 17 Watling Street London EC4, Its an atmospheric air conditioned bar just 1 minute from Mansion House tube & a few minutes from St Pauls, Bank & Cannon Street . Although spread over two floors the upstairs bar will be closed although the cloakroom will be open & we will be stomping in the basement where there is plenty of comfy seating , a talc friendly wooden dance floor & a large bar where you will be pleased to hear there will be drinks promotions until 8pm. Pint of Lager (Carlsberg or Carling cant remember which but it begins with a C! selected other drinks all at £1.50 & even at normal prices still a lot cheaper than Nylon ! As before we will be starting at 6.30 & going on until Macs had enough, normally around 12.30-1.00 & you will hear across the board sixties, unknowns, underplayed oldies, current plays & classic oldies all mixed together, from Beat Ballads through to 100mph Stompers. A very big thanks to everyone who has supported us over the last 2 years & we hope to see you at ViVos on 4th February & the 1st Wednesday of every month. Entrance £4.00 DJs Martin Thomson, Paul McKay,Mac & Dave Greenhill Be early & get pissed with the DJs www.soulitc.co.uk Dave G. SITC #0797 1876661

One of the most popular sites in the Soul Source Links section has just had a redesign and moved to a different url.For all the info, details and all the rest on one of the UKs top northern nites, get over to link no longer valid

Hi Folks, Just a quick reminder that the Rhyl Connoisseurs weekender is running on the 26th / 27th March, 2004. I understand from the promoters, John Mills and Stevie Z, that the number of hotel rooms still available is quickly approaching single figures. However, if you just want to cme down for the Saturday night, tickets are now available. the full details are: Saturday 27th March, 2004 THE RHYL CONNOISSEURS ALLNIGHTER THE WESTMINSTER HOTEL 11 - 13 EAST PARADE, RHYL. 9 pm to 8 am. Possibly the strongest DJ line up ever seen in Wales: Butch, Keith Money, Mick H, Andy Dyson, Roger Banks, Dave Rimmer, John Weston, Chris Anderton, Stevie Z, Cliff Steele, Derek Pearson, and John Mills. Playing the best in Rare Sixties / Crossover / Modern Soul in two rooms. This will be an all ticket allnighter, and tickets are available two ways. Either send a cheque for £10 per ticket made payable to MR S ZELENYJ to Jon Mills, 178 Tong Moor Rd, Bolton, BL2 2HN. Tickets will also be on sale at Soul nights / allnighters from the following people - John Mills, Stevie Z, Andy Dyson, Mick H, and Dave Rimmer The buzz on this one is already building, and it is easily expected to sell out, so make sure you dont miss out and get your ticket early. Info line John Mills 01204 413973

Just when you thought it was all over… Some of you may know that we have had to cancel several George Jackson events at short notice in the last few months, due to the venue giving priority to private bookings at the weekends. This uncertainty meant that we were unable to promote the events properly and as a result we felt that we were unable to continue with the night. After consultation with SMERSH bar, we can announce that we will return in 2004 with a new midweek slot. Our new night will be held every third Wednesday of the month, Starting on January 21st from 7.000 - 12.00 with no entry charge. Together with “A New Chapter” on the first Wednesday of every month, this means that there will be quality midweek soul at Smersh every fortnight (or thereabouts). In the past George Jackson! has sometimes been misrepresented as a purely deep soul night, partly our own fault. As regulars will know we have always endeavoured to play the full spectrum of tempos and styles of soul music. If you don’t believe us, look at the sample playlist below! Knight Brothers - Tried So Hard To Please Her (Mercury) Jeannie Reynolds & The Re-leets - I Dont Mess Around (Washington) Mahalia Jackson - Im On My Way (Apollo) Dorothy Morrison - I Cant Go Without You (Brown Door) Wee Willie Walker - I Dont Want To Take A Chance (Goldwax unissued - Vivid Sound LP) Willie Tee - Walking Up A One Way Street (Nola) Sandra Wright - Ill Come Running Back (Demon LP) Soul Children - Were Gettin’ Too Close (Stax LP) Kenny Hamber - Anything You Want (Arctic) Connie Laverne - I Cant Live Without You (GSF) Skip Jackson & The Shantons - Promise That You’ll Wait (Dot-Mar) The Masqueraders - Please take me Back (Bell) The Impalas - Speed Up (Capitol) Bobby Womack - Baby, I Cant Stand It (Minit) Roosevelt Matthews With Billy Ball & the Upsetters - You Got Me Diggin You (King) Lee Jones & The Sounds Of Soul - This House is haunted (Amy) The Charades - Never Set Me Free (MGM) John Edwards - Its Those Little Things That Count (Bell) The new slot will provide an opportunity to widen the remit even further. Simply, black American music from the soul. As a celebration we shall be giving away a compilation CD featuring the best of the sounds played at George Jackson over the last three years. So if you are looking for something to do on the 21st, come on down to Smersh. David Nossiter

Latest additions to the programme! Soul Nights to be featured in the Showcase Spot in the Northern room are Winter Gardens-Cleethorpes Birchfield Club-Widnes City Hall-Sheffield Junction 11 Heavenly Blocked-Weston Super Mare Along with news of extra sessions of R&B on Sunday afternoon/evening it seems that its defintely a case of "a weekend full of soul and ....then some" www.soul-weekenders.co.uk

Hi Folks just a quick blast. Our next night is an oldies/6ts one; a 1off break from our usual x the board policy. A good warm up for the "Once Upon a time in Wigan" play and Soul Night that arrives at the Helix in 1st week of february. Sleepless Nights does oldies with Al, Pip, Karl&John representing different eras from Dublin, Mark with Bretby, Macca from Derby&me with Bedford should be enough influences for a great Oldies night. 23rd JANUARY OLDIES NIGHT SLEEPLESS NIGHTS SOUL CLUB TOP FLOOR DOYLES FLEET STREET DUBLIN 2 8PM-2.30AM BAR TILL 2.30 âÅ¡¬ 6.00 Djs; Al, Pip, Mark T, Karl, Macca, Danny, John Future dates confirmed below FEBRUARY 20 (Guest Phil Shields- Belfast Backdrop) MARCH 5-7 PRESTATYN TRIP MARCH 19 APRIL 16 (2ND ANNIV) MAY 21 JUNE 11-13 CLEETHORPES TRIP JUNE 18 JULY 16 AUGUST 20 SEPTEMBER 17 OCTOBER 15 NOVEMBER 19 DECEMBER 17 (CHRISTMAS BASH) Once Upon a Time in Wigan Date: Tuesday 4&Wednesday 5 February 2004Time: Tues 5.15pm and 8.30pm, Wed at 8.30pmVenue: Helix TheatreTickets: 25 euro [20 with concessions]Ticket holders for Once Upon a Time in Wigan will get free admission to TheSoul Space, The Helixs very own soul club playing the very best in NorthernSoul each night before and after the performances. Join show director PaulSadot and guest DJs Karl Mitchell (5th) and Danny Duggan (4th) in the intimate Space studio theatre. To get a flavour of whats in store go to http://www.onceuponatimeinwigan.com or go to www.thehelix.ie TONIGHT Belfast: Backdrop: Is moving to 2nd friday of month in 2004, that means next one is TONIGHT 9th will get update from Liam soon! More info from Liam on:northernsoulie82@yahoo.co.uk, I know Phil Shields is playing Cork: Chapter 5; Continues to go keep the flame burning in Cork, dates below see (bar feb) a return to fortnightly on friday . Phil Hope; groovywoofy @hotmail.com Jan 9th Jan 30th Feb 13th 5th Mar 26th Mar 9th Apr 23rd Apr 7th May 21st May 4th Jun 18th Jun 2nd Jul Dublin: Hopefully its the beginning of a monthly Modern Soul Night from Paul Davis 7ts-y2K. Smoove Groove@ The Legal Eagle, Chancery Place, Dublin 7.(Beside the Four Courts) Saturday, 31st of January 8:30pm to 2am Admission 5 Euro DJs spinning 70s to Y2K Soul:Paul Duffy Lisa M Danny Duggan Honest John Paul Davis Joe Moran Next Smoove is 28th Feb Keb Darge is playing RiRa on January 15th LOST SOULS (Kempsey, Worcester UK), Paul Bennett&Crew, off the M5 on Fridays;More info: lostsoulofsouls@yahoo.com Next dates 30th January. Rumour has it that Pip&Me playin Fri 27-02-04 London 100 Club: tomorrow night Ade has everyone guessin bout a new mystery vocal of an old instrumental, Double Cooking, Elijah Rosking with soul and Footsie are some of our suggestions. Dont forget The Irish Soul Scene is as always updated and reviewed with Joe Moran:http: homepage.eircom.net/~dublinsoul catch ya later Danny PLAYLIST FROM John Dunne DECEMBER 03 Jackie Wilson: Because Of You Channel 3: Sweetest Thing Sunday: Aint Got No Problems Natural 4: I Thought You Were Mine Spinners: I Just Wanna Fall in Love Gwen McCrae: Lead Me On Edwin Starr: Love (The Lonely Peoples Prayer) Continental 4: The Way I Love You Baby Philly Devotions: Hurt So Bad................birthday request for Anne Supremes: Youve Been So Wonderful To Me Archie Bell: 1000 Wonders Carolyn Cooke: I Dont Mind Marvin Gaye: One More Heartache Beverly + Del Capris: Mama I Think Im In Love Adorables: Ooh Boy Sister Sledge: Thinking Of You.............................now officially retired !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 4 Tops: Baby I Need Your Loving