Paul R

Just after I first met you at "The College Of Knowledge" wasn't it Steve? Paul

So it did Pete, but I just didn't really get it at the time. Probably because the first time I heard it was at the Rose Room in Burnley, when Levine introduced it as the vocal to Bok To Bach. I just remember thinking "Feckin' What!" Unbelievably did like the carstairs though, once I got used to it Paul

I take it you are referring to the Esther phillips comment. I was just saying that I used go to "Northern" venues to hear the sounds that were not played at the "Normal" discos. Don't forget that it was you that started the thread Unbelieveably Played At Wigan, commenting on the playing of contemporary soul records, oh yeh! and contemporary pop!. I was putting the record straight, that most were unbelievably played at most other venues at the time. Paul

That rings a bell. I know margaret moved into a flat in Southport with a mate of mine. I think they got married, but not sure as I didn't see much of them after 76/77 when I joined the navy. Paul

Written by "Bracket" and produced by Jimmy Mack. Paul

I think you may have the year wrong, because I'm sure Va Vas closed down in 73(northern wise!) I did have this one printed on a T shirt a couple of years ago, as it was my first allnighter, this was from Aug 31- Sep 13 1973 issue 117. Around the time of my first visit In the same issue, New US single release Calla 116 Jerry Williams "If You Ask Me". reissue. Also Tower Of Power "This Time It's Real" Paul

I've flicked through this thread and I haven't seen it mentioned, but at least 50% of these unbelieveably played at Wigan but hit the charts records, were originally Mecca spins. Also another IMHO crap record that passed off as a Wigan sound is the Present "many's The Slip" which is a Levine discovery played by him in 75 as the vocal to "Bok To Bach"!. Othe Mecca Records that are thought of as Wigan are the two David & The Giants pop ditties. Don't get me wrong, I know a lot of shite was played at Station Road, but the same can be said for all "Northern Soul" venues then & probably now. Including Blackpool Mecca & Cleethorpes. As for the mentions of LJ Johnson, yes, it was played at Wigan, but was an Ian levine Tailot made along with doomsday & weekspot etc. More Mecca that Wigan methinks. I was a regular at both the casino and Mecca form 73-76 and the the thing that did it for me at Mecca was when they stared pl;aying the same records in the Highland Room that they were playing downstairs for the "divs" i.e "What A Difference a Day makes" Paul

Saw the O'Jays at Jacksonville Coliseum in 1978. Also on the bill were Bunny Sigler and Sun. I didn't expect it, but it would have been nice to hear "I Dig You Act", "Lipstick Traces", or "Workin' On Your Case" from The O'Jays, and "Girl Don't Make Me Wait", or "Follow Your Heart" from Bunny. Unfortunately, they only sang the successful 70's crap . as for Sun, I was a northern soulie, don't want any of that Jazz Funk crap! . I would probably enjoy the experience now. Paul

And here is a bit from Frank Elsons Check Out The North, from March 1974, When he gets a mention. Paul

I remember the girl with the jeans on(unless that is Dereck ) can't remember her name though. Paul

Some of my sisters Wigan photos. I have these posted in my gallery. I don't think I was ever there, because there are no photos of me that I know of!. These are mainly Ormskirk, Southport & Wigan people taken around 1974 Pete Simpson, Tommy Allinson, Chris Rimmer, Hilgs(? spelling), Anne & Ian Marchbank, taken in the ormskirk corner at Wigan, by Mr Ms Door Tommy Allinson, Terry, Pat Blaseberry, Dave Rowell Alan Cain, Billy Mac, Pat Brian & a couple of other wiganers I can't remember! Margaret From Wrexhan + 2 others Chris Rimmer, with Billy Mac & Wacker Paul

'Kin 'ell, Lorna, you should have suggested it 34 years ago, when I was a bit more local Paul

I was 15 and had been going to Wigan for about 2 months, and made my first trip to the Mecca. For some reason, I remember it was 29 Dec 1973. I went up to Colin Curtis & asked for "You Broke My Heart In Two". He said he didn't know it!. Feckin' Mecca DJs . He played it about 2 records later & I found out it was Frankie Beverly "If That's What You Wanted", strangely I still feel embarrased to this day . Paul

Only Similar Pete! I though it was a Simon Sousan special when it was first played! Paul

What were the cicumstances surrounding The Casino being Voted "Best Disco In The World" by Billboard. Who voted for it. Even after the commercialisation in 75/76, surely it was still not that well known world wide. So how did it get the award? By the way, Happy Birthday Wigan. My own 36th anniversary is in 7 weeks ish. Paul

Pity you have to subscribe to facebook to see them. Paul

Got to be mid 74. The one that really took me back was the intro to Lee Andrews I Had It . Brilliant. Paul

If that's Mr Orritt, it was 1973, and it was a hell of a walk back to Liverpool wasn't it mate .! My first big price was Shane Martin on Epic, just as it getting played at Wigan. I paid £6, and a uk copy went for £12 the same night. Paul

One I never tire of. Spinners, "It's A Shame" I also love Jackson 5 "I'll Be There" Paul

Fantastic pictures. Loads of familiar faces. Paul

Tuesday was the night usually, but that was in the 70s/early 80s with Len Hardy Agogo, Tony Reynolds, Me and several others all having a go at Djing. Paul

Just found the quote in Manifesto August 98 from Mr Potatohead: What's Crossover?:- Remember when you were going to Wigan in the seventies and sending to Soul Bowl for the soulpack. Hoping that somewhere amongst those 25 singles would be a copy of Beverly Ann or Paula Parfitt. Well all the ones you threw away were "crossover" records. I though it was funny. Paul

yes, PM Sent Paul

If you're thinking about Eamon Ashall from Wigan, I met him accidently in 1988. He was married, and living in Hove, West Sussex. We went out for a few beers, and I went round to his house. I hadn't seen him for about 12 years prior to that. I havn't seen him since. Paul

Not sure if it was the first version played on the scene, but at my first allnighter in about Sept 73 at Va Vas in Bolton, Richard played the Rolling Stones version off the Aftermath LP, several times. I then became a regular (Wigan etc) and Wayne Gibson was the biggie followed by April Silva(about which there was a pretty extensive topic not long ago). Paul