Mike

Shocking news from one of the promoting team. Been asked to pass on that the next niter at Tonys in Blackburn will be the last!! They just have been told that due to lease running out and management of venue changes, they will not be able to hold any more niters after the May one! As the 2nd longest running niter in the UK (been running 17 years) and one of the most famous niters, it will surely be missed by many. Such was the suddeness of this news that flyers for the May event have already been printed and distributed with outthe mention that this will be the last one. As said news of this came from one of the promoting team, will post up more details as get them. Last Tonys Niter 03 May 2003

Keele Niter 05 Sat Apr This was the third niter since re-opening with the much improved format and feel. Enjoyed the last two and already in my view can be rated as one of the premier UK niters. Got to mention though shame that this one clashed with Tonys Blackburn niter, as yet again punters had to choose between two niters. And know a fair few who did go to Tonys attended the last Keele and more than likely would have again if no clash and also the other way around. Looking well forward to this as was first meet up of a group of us, we used to knock around down south a few years ago together. But over time we have moved all over place. Try and meet up fairly regular at decent events but been over a year since we all managed to meet up So first hour or so was spent in bar area catching up Moved into main room when Butch took over and as always great stuff , great sounds , crowd up for it, full floor . Still Eric Lomax track doing the buisness for me, Ally Mayers, Roger Banks and Mick H followed and all gave out top drawer quality enjoyable sets, nite was finished with a oldies set by Rob Smith Overall had a great nite, with its location, its dj policy and the crowd it attracts got to say that this niter is now a must go on my list.

Newark On Trent's Edwin Starr Night April 26th will now be a tribute night instead and we have arranged for Jimmy James to play instead of Edwin and as the event was for charity we hope every one will still come many thanks Sweet Soul Newark Doug Hall

Homer Banks passed away last Friday Yet again more sad news concerning these artists that we all owe so much to. Details can be found on the below website "Legendary Stax writer/producer Homer Banks died of cancer Friday at Saint Francis Hospital. He was 61. "

BBC Liverpool has Edwin Starrs final interview up on its website The offical website has the following information up A private funeral for family only will be held next week in the UK. Instead of flowers, please send donations to either of the following charities, making sure you include a cover note saying it is on behalf of Edwin Starr: More details on the offical website click here http://www.edwinstarr.info

Firday saw the monthly Soul at the Social soul nite at Bangor. Run by Johnny J nite it is a "good time" northern nite. Always popular with locals and travellers from rest of North Wales. Guest wise was myself, Steve T, and Gareth. Fair sized crowd showed up, the whole style and mix of this nite always depends on the crowd, as in who shows up, as it varies along with reaction. Some nites we can cover whole range from r n b to 2k+ and give out a good fresh mix, other nites like tonite may be a more oldie based crowd. Tonite Gareth got things under way with great opening 2 hr spot featuring some right classy stuff. Then myself dished out next hour mainly a mix of popular oldies/r n b /70s Steve Thomas up next with a well put together half a hour Edwin Starr tribute, which included all the classics including the ever popular round here "Love (the lonely people prayer) and finishing tributeon emotional edge with "I Have Faith In You". Steve then carried on with a mainly top drawer oldies brew with some fresh bits thrown in. Mix inc likes of the cracking one to watch instrumental by Jr Walker and San Remo Strings cover, which caused a bit of a stir at last Springfield, Nancy Wilsons great version of reach out for me, Voicemasters-Lonely Lonely, Ellusions You didnt have to leave, Embers -First Time, Broadway Cissy-Roscoe and friends, and more quality revivals which kept the crowd happy and floor full. Overall as always a good sociable nite, crowd got what they wanted, had a good laugh and all that. Next one first Friday of month as always.

Well after the March DMSC Springfield event went so well, (many calling it one of/if not the best one yet), been a case of the team taking time out from monkey things. So things been bit low key. But after a trip to desert sorted a few things out, things now picking up and fair few bits of news. Website stuff - Soul Source still home of dmsc. Now main bit firm its time to sort the dmsc bit out for once! revamping all dmsc stuff etc so few changes and be news of some new things. Just had photos passed on from the last one in March(thanks to Ann and Trev yet again, 68 snaps this time!) some good ones there should be up very soon. Got tape of DMSC on the air from last month, highlights should be up soon as well. Bit muffled as was still trying to throw off the lip readers back then. Plus can hear the helicopter tailing us now and again. Also putting together a few of the tracks that doing good things at the dmsc events in Llandudno, Bangor, etc etc Should be up soonish Reports, plays, laughs, accusations, denials etc of many recent dmsc going ons are half written, and to come. Last nites DMSC promoted Soul At the Social event at Bangor was a good one as always at bangor, a nite of good time northern, good crack. May have heard about a Easter DMSC occurance planned on north wales coast, gotta stress its not definte yet but as soon as it is will pass on details. Well just a brief few headlines of DMSC going ons, all team and members still having a laugh, still doing things own way, still kicking and still hard! Fresh stuff up soonest Big thanks go out to all members, all of the backroom team, all djs and everyone else, for all your support, your help and all the rest. You make it what it is Drunken Monkey Soul Club - Making your heart beat faster

Seems that WireFm plans for the Soul Connection Show to be moved to the old Saturday slot are up in the air. Details all a bit vague and all that but seems that the show will be broadcast on sunday this weekend. Will post if get more info. EDWINS SITE FLOODED WITH TRIBUTES From offical site Since Edwin passed away his website has received over 12,000 visitors, many of whom have left tribute messages. visit offical site OTHER NEWS Have had word on some news concerning another artist, if anyone can confirm and post up source of news will be appreciated

Have to smile as this event is being billed as the "opening ceremony of Mr Dunlops 50th birthday celebration week" Guest inc Joe, Laurence, Barry, Ally M and Mick H Full details hit this link Hit here for full details

Word from Nick B Just grab a quick moment to remind you all of the details for this Fridays Scenesville shindig at the Camden Centre. Goes like this: SCENESVILLE 60s Rare and Northern Soul - with a passion! FRIDAY APRIL 4th 9pm-2am, at THE CAMDEN CENTRE EUSTON ROAD LONDON (directly opposite St Pancras Station) ANDY RIX, KITCH, DAWN BROWN and NICK BROWN Plus special guest JODIE DALEY spin 100% Real Deal 60s Rare Soul! Yesterdays favourites, todays exclusives and tomorrows monsters! Jawdropping venue -gorgeous dancefloor - late bar - posh lavs - 1 minutes walk from Kings Cross, 4 minutes Euston. Nearest tube: Kings Cross. Excellent parking £8 members (£9 non-members) PLUS THE FAMOUS SCENESVILLE HAPPY HOUR! £5 entry before 10pm! All drinks half price before 10pm! For free membership e-mail driveller@supanet.com or visit www.scenesville.com for membership, sounds and info ********** For those of you who dont know Jodie, shes got some shockingly good sounds - so go on, dont go without - get on down to the Camden C entre andshake your Soulful wibbly bits with the rest of us on Friday night! See you there!

Edwin Starr has died after heart failure. Sad news indeed From the offical website "Kyle Artist management are sad to announce that following a heart attack Edwin passed away at his home in Nottingham, England. Edwin was 61. http://www.edwinstarr.info

Greg passed on link to the soulgirl.com site which features even more photos from last Friday! Link to photos is hit here for pics Link to rest of site which is always worth a visit hit here for soulgirl.com site