Len

If you think about it - It's cool that 'they' get it wrong isn't it? Len

I don't like the term 'Key Board Warriors' either - it almost implies that just because someone goes out to a Soul event 'every' weekend they are somehow more 'worthy' - I went to two parties with my kids this weekend, and this afternoon to Wicksteed Park.....I also have a life to lead....... I don't like the term 'Hand Baggers' either - Everyone's welcome at any venue I am involved in (As long as they behave) All the best, Len

......someone cares don't they?.....god, now I'm depressed - Thanks 'mate'....... ......This is me being my 'normal' self, I have to admit I was a little disturbed at the 'finished article' being so long though........it had been 'edited' almost in half! Len

No mate - dance on it,,,,,Do you remember at The Ritz in the 90's folkz? Len

Len

"I'm not listening!" .......Someone did leave one light on mate Len

Yeh, good luck with that - let me know how you get on .........and to follow.......can you imagine 'us lot'? - Look at this thread, and that's just for half an hour!....Edit - Just read, 'Hull Soul' already said that! (I'm catching up) Len

I've just had this error come up after trying to 'like' just for the 3rd time today "There was a problem storing your reputation vote", anyone know what it means? / Can a Moderator sort it please? Thanks, Len Edit - It's now working - Thanks.

Absolutely! - What with that and 'Howard The Duck', my fave Sunday viewing .....I just wish they'd made 'Uncle Buck 3' Len

He he - They don't call me 'The Thinker' (amongst other things) for nothing ......Mmmm, maybe I should write a book about my tales at 'The Hogwarts School of D.Jing'.......happy days them..... Len

(I couldn't find the post I was referring to, I guess Mike may have removed it because of the swearing) Hi Mate, Firstly apologies if my line “as long as they do it their way” came across to you that I was implying that the young ones on the programme are not ‘doing it their way’, I don’t know them - I was generally speaking. The Scene will soon be theirs and I do hope they do it their way and enjoy the ride to boot - just as I did, albeit bumpy at times! (I thought my Mod reference showed that) I know someone commented that the young ones on the programme “have got it so wrong’, and you didn’t like that - This is someone’s opinion (which he’s entitled to of course) Fact is, his opinion won’t matter to those that are genuine, because to them it wouldn’t be correct. He also would have had to make his own way on the Scene, and would have had to have that ‘staying power’ to get through any ‘flack’ that was thrown his way - It happens. Ref the couple featured, I don’t think anyone would want to offend them, maybe they have felt just a little upset by ‘it all’, but I think / hope they are also able to smile about it. I got the impression that their ‘faith’ is strong, so are well capable of handling any criticism that may have looked (to some) like it was aimed at them (I don’t think it was) They seemed like a nice couple, and anyone could tell by watching the programme, that they are having a ball doing ‘what they do’ - Good on em. ïŠ …..I’m sure Hayley won’t mind me telling this story......I remember as a young Mod attending Cliff Steel’s ‘Detroit Academicals’ Soul Nights - One was at a Working Men’s Club called Friendly’s (ironically enough!) ….I was walking past ‘the girls on the door’, and Hayley ‘screeched’ “Mod!”, and pointed at ‘Moi’…..which was closely followed by a ‘chorus of laughter’ from anyone who heard!…..How did I react? - I didn’t, and the experience didn’t put me off….some 25 years later, I was invited to Hayley’s 50th Birthday, which I thought really nice (especially from the perspective I have described) This is nothing compared to other things that have ‘tested’ me over the years, but I stuck with it, and do you know what? Looking back, ‘some’ that threw flack my way, weren’t actually ‘qualified’ to do so (imo) Years ago, I had a fascinating conversation with Ion (A ‘Face’ / D.J of the 80’s Scene) at his flat in Holbourn, about this very subject. I shared a couple of my ‘experiences’ with him, and he shouted…..“’That’s the apprenticeship Lenny!”…..then went on to tell me about his early experiences and the ‘flack’ that he had endured - I remember the conversation being an ‘Ulrika’ moment! So, you (and any other younger ones), wear exactly what you want, and enjoy your journey. Some may fall by the wayside (as has been said), but those that stay will have the rewarding bonds, and understanding with others that have done the same - no matter what year! Ref the above, I now feel compelled to say hello to Billy Whizz again - Hello Billy!.....I came on to the Scene years after Billy, I haven’t even met him and maybe never will, but I do feel we share that ‘special thing’ All the best, Len P.s - To this day, I still feel that ‘edge’ / ‘slightly intimidated’ at places sometimes - and I like that………Mind you, I feel intimidated going to the local Post Office - if I succumbed to it I would never leave the house!......I suppose being a ‘schitzo’, I will at least always have company…..”I agree Len”……….”Yeh, so do I mate”……….”Thanks”……….”Who said that?!”………. N.B - I know Mental Health is no laughing matter - believe me, I know. But I’m allowed to laugh at myself - It helps me cope

Not sure if this is the same guy, but later there was always a guy at the nighters I went to, he had a bald head, wore a head band, took a huge tape recorder and smoked a pipe - I thought he was cool btw. All the best, Len

Hi mate, I’m not miserable — honest! I (like the rest of us) care that’s all…..Here’s a couple of scenarios that may help some of these ‘young ones’ understand my take on ‘it’…..and hope some of you can relate, ref what ‘Citizen P’ touched upon earlier….. ….It was the mid 80’s and I was a 14 year old Mod, pretty ‘plastic’ and right at the beginning of my ‘apprenticeship’ - Me and my mates attended a Soul Night at The Dog and Duck in Wellingborough, and basically my mates got out of hand. They were being ‘young and stupid’, generally messing around, including on the dance floor - I wasn’t (I never have ‘fitted in’) but I was well aware that their behaviour just wasn’t right, and I was also well aware of my ‘elders’, that were all around us….. It got to a ‘point’, and this older guy came over and really bellowed at the lot of us (I’m guessing we were too young for him to kick the out sh*t of) I was devastated by this, yet my mates (although quietened down a little) didn’t really seem fazed by it…..We all went to sit down, my mates still being loud and stupid, but I was really uncomfortable…..a short while past, then out of the corner of my eye I noticed this Guy coming over (Panic)……He gently put his hand on my shoulder and simply said….“Hey mate, relax I know it wasn’t you, it was ya stupid mates, you’re alright”, gave me a smile and walked off….It was something I didn’t expect, and had never experienced, and it felt good (although confusing at the time) ‘Part 2’ …….Fast forward a short few years, and I was D.Jing at The North Park in Kettering, it must have been one of the first spots I had done at a proper Soul Night, I was mainly D.Jing on the local Mod Scene at that time. It was a rough old place, as were most Working Men’s Clubs back then, and I can still remember the bar strip lights, that showed a ‘silhouette’ of people’s shapes as I walked in, clouded by the thick tobacco smoke….this was different…this was intimidating…….. My time came so off I went to D.J, and during my set I played ‘Curtis - How Can I Tell Her’….. not really the best choice for a Club like that at that time, and it kinda caused a ‘wave’ of grumbles (Ok, there was no ‘kinda’, it did - big time!) and lots left the dance floor…. inside I felt close to tears, but carried on (as ya do)……I still didn’t ‘really’ understand the Soul Scene……In the middle of my next record, this guy lent over the decks (not forgetting I was still ‘coming to terms’ with the ‘Curtis’ fall out) and shouted me over….”Here mate” (all seeming very aggressive to me)……”Was that Curtis you just f*ckin played?”……. (Oh gawd, I thought)…….”Yes” (I shouted as gruffly as I could)….I was dreading what he was going to say next…..he then reached across the decks, and shouted…. .“f*cking nice one!”….just as a really friendly smile appeared, that seemed to come from ‘deep inside’, shook my hand, and off he went…. .....In hindsight, he saw what had happened - he was someone that travelled, and wanted to acknowledge the said record - almost sticking his fingers up to those who didn’t appreciate it (The ‘60’s people against Modern’ thing was still raging at that time, so you can imagine how the ‘Boo Boo, Boo Boo’’s at the beginning of 'Curtis' went down, and they go on for a while!) ….. Anyway - Same thing - ‘it felt good (although confusing at the time)’ ……I ‘now’ know why he seemed aggressive / intense / with eyes that were ‘’locked’ on to me as he was talking - it was passion (amongst other things)…..I honestly think that was the first ‘Northern Soul Hand Shake’ that I had received - It all makes sense now! All the best, Len

Always have done mate - always will Len

For me, it will completely depend on their attitude (As 'Citizen P' pointed out).......Old or young, it don't matter which, the same applies. I hope they respect what the Scene is really about.... ......and I hope they enjoy the 'added bonus' of that music we listen to as well All the best, Len

The ‘young ones’ should rip up the rule book up, and try their best not to ‘carbon copy’ those before them. I’m hoping they are being influenced, but are doing it their way. I was a Mod in the 80’s (a very cool one btw) .....and I would expect the 60’s, or 70’s Mods would have frowned upon me……and that’s the way it should be. Ref the retro clothing, I don’t particularly like it on older folk, but it’s their choice and they are obviously having a ball ‘doing what they do’ - I wouldn’t want them ridiculed. Similar to the old 50 year old Teddy Girls that still wore pop socks - again, their choice and their past time. Elaine was good, and it was a great ad for the film - I hope it adds to the success of her project that she has worked so hard for. The presenter was also good - It was his own honest view, and I liked the fact that he hadn’t been to a Nighter in 35 years, but you could see that he still 'felt' the music - That showed how special it is. I gave the programme a 3 All the best, Len

I just caught the 'back end' of guys wearing head bands, wrist bands, and the Kung Fu slippers things (in some cases) so, although not the 'roots' of the dancing, she was correct about that fashion (Bruce Lee) being of some influence. All the best, Len (Yellow Belt)

He he, I ain't lost my grin mate, far from it - here's one especially for you You are correct of course - Your Anniversary's were a great celebration, and different from the 'last event', and of course there are others. Actually that's something that happens a lot now, some people are so sensitive and think everything is aimed at them - It's not, people are just giving 'general' opinions, and there is always 'an exception to the rule' "old school Soulies were all scratching their heads wondering what I was about Len....remember??" .....Absolutely, and I still am mate - You should be proud of that All the best, Len Still grinning, but it's good for us all to be reminded to do so - Thanks Sooty

Good for you mate - There are more important things in life .......SH*T! - Like getting thekkids to bed! (Don't anyone tell Nina I was on here again)....seriously, don't...... Len - Gone!

That's the thing - Anniversary's are great!.....but somewhere down the line loads of events became 'as anniversary's'. In actual fact, they have put me off from going to anniversary's - 'what's to celebrate? (If so similar to the last event) All the best, Len P.s - 100 Club excluded.

What?!!! Now that's just ridiculous and not what it's about ..........It can't be that simple......surely...........after all these years of 'thought'........... Len

Nice one Steve - Lovely name that (lot's of thought there) Steve Philis - Same question mate..... ....Thereafter, any Steve - I'd be interested in your answer....except for Steve Davis, Steve Irwin, Steve Gerrard, or Steve Steve (If there is one) Hey, joking lads - I'm just bitter that I had to go through School 'carrying' my Grandad's name (and my Uncle's) ((True, and true)) Seriously though ref your answer - I think it's a crying shame something changed....Can you imagine what it would be like now if the last ten years hadn't been void? All the best, Len

Love the thread, but kn*ckered from the last one .....I'll have a good 're-read' in a couple of days. ......One thought though - Steve, how come you did all the Wigan stuff, yet your attitude hasn't changed, and that's what it's all about (to me at least) - So where (dare I say it?) Did it all go wrong, attitude wise? Maybe I'm concentrating on those that 'popped' in to Wigan - There I think I've answered my own question. ......I can see it in ya eyes mate All the best, Len

Well Winnie, me ol’ mate, you have surpassed yourself with this thread, and no matter what views were, they were all put forward in a very good manner, and that’s what healthy debate is all about. I’m gonna just put my closing thoughts down…...but I do suspect this thread may ‘rave up’ again, so goodbye for now, it’s been enjoyable. Thanks Win. (There is a point to this)…..I have always, tried my best to conduct myself the best way I possibly could, respecting everything that has gone before me, right back to ‘Northern Soul B.C’ (Before Croasdell) ((Sorry Ady - you just happened to ‘fit' there)) and beyond - right back to when a young Billy Wizz first ventured on to a dance floor (hello again Billy) Most of all I have respected my peers, and if over the 30 odd years that I have been ‘doing it’, I have managed to earn a fraction of that respect in return, then I am more than happy……. ……This kind of thinking doesn’t even enter some people’s heads, and it p*sses me off! A Scene that I once loved, stomped all over with not a thought for those that have neutered it over so many years. Penny, I hope I’m not being too undignified in saying this - I shall now return to dignity, and support people and places that I respect, simply ignoring everything else, as sadly, it can’t be changed......Again, it's the world we now live in. All the best, Len

'The Soul Spin Doctors'.....Now there's a Cover Up name I could use on my next 'unsuspecting' 'B' side - Thanks Len P.s - It's even better than 'The Hidden Agendas'