Me included. Listening to the Jam, hearing their cover versions of Martha Reeves and the Supremes and wanting to hear the originals. Going to Brannigans on Briggate on Monday nights as a kid and dancing to Tamla, Madness, the Lambrettas, Dexys etc, but the dj playing northern soul, getting out of his booth, and dancing his socks off. Who was that man?
There was a shed load of Motown and Atlantic reissues at this time, inspired by Quadrophenia and the '79 mod revival scene. However, by the time of my first niter (Bradford Queens Hall), the only 'northern' I'd heard was 'Ain't Nothing But A House Party'. I was blown away by the music at Bradford, and haven't looked back.