Steve G

I am not sure what is going on here, but always felt the mauve version was punchier. It's not 60's just more of an earethier 60s feel to it.

Ivor Bird I have asked Ian Levine if he can shed any light on this. Russ might know too.

Ian a pop question for you. Do you know who Mickey moonshine was? Some say Chris Rainbow, others say Paul Nicholas. Wondered if you knew with your connections?

We need to know who he was. Once heard he was from newcastle, but scotland is close enough, so who knows.

It's all in bthe matrix numbers.....my friend I actually like this - one of the best pop records played on the northern scene - actually tried to re-create a soulful sound with all those strings etc.

I don't have a beer belly so will tuck it in, in future Gok.

Is Martyn still a 100% 60s man?

dunno about Bromley last month. Wigan is the place to be. "Come and get those memories". We'll be in the corner by HSBC bank and Top Shop in case anyone wants to check us out. I have already requested that the Djs play "Time will pass you by" and "I'm on my way".

Very "divvy" looking since you ask - you need baggies and badges mate. Frank Wilson rules O'Keh.

It IS still open. that's why there's the 35th anniversary on the original site of the hallowed Casino toilets. It lives on in my soul and you soul police anorak anal types cannot stop me and thousands of others from enjoying it. It will live forever in our hearts. Long live Russ - the original soul pioneer. Just because you don't dress like a proper soulie don't belittle those of us that do. Live and let live, northern soul - it's "A way of life", so stop digging us out with your elitist jibes "Keep the faith" Tezza - and get up to the "Heart of Soul" - you know you want to! Pass the booze back - hick

WOt about soul nights Terry which are more local "A-Road soul" ?

Agree 100% Russ. I really hope the attendance is very poor and that we can bury this Wigan Casino revival bandwagon for once and for all - these days it is just an embarrasment and a poor parody of anything whatsoever to do with northern soul. I know that will upset the "live and let live" brigade but there you go. :phoar:

Such a sad loss. Somebody should try and find the interview we did with him in Blackbeat and post it up here. He was a legend.

It might surprise you to know but I never had any problem with SWONS at all, just grateful to see so many artists that I love singing their songs.

That's been there for a long time......it means I don't want to go to a Wigan Casino revival night in a shopping centre

Well they do sound very similar vocally, so I am not going to say it unless I think it.

Steady on, steady on..........The vocals Ian, it was the vocals that i said sound almost identical to Arctic.

No and with a playbox like Russ's I don't think I ever want to be

Henry Stone at TK productions should own it. Google him Jules.

Part of me says bring it on......and I will be as polite to him as I have been to Ian - what is it with 70's big name DJ's and me??? But why would Russ want to come on here? He is not really part of the scene anymore - he just does his Wigan Casino memory nights. He's about as relevant to today's scene as the guy that makes Adidas Bags or the lady that sells Milkshakes at Kings Hall.

He actually lost a bit he told me after you add in DJs, Wales Wallace, venue hire, advertising etc , and it was a brave gamble on his part. But agree my favourite ever live soul night - just amazing.

Well yes it's a tourist thingy I guess for WBC. I mean there's not exactly much else in the town to see is there? As for WC, yes you are right - a total dump - but great for music. Many younger members (or those that drifted away in the late 70s) won't know what happened in the end either when there were only 300-500 going on a sat night. Do you remember when it was closing? "We're closing - One final nighter" - cost a fortune to go as they hiked the prices up - but it meant we could be part of the "last ever" nighter. A few friends went. Then on the night Russ or someone announces "Just one more all nighter" next week, pay through the nose again you mug punters. Friends were shocked "we've been had" etc. Then 3 months later when Richard has got another allnighter in the town up they pop again "Oh we've managed to secure the Casino....for "just one more all nighter". F*ck that was not only embarrassing even then, it was a disgrace. I wrote about it at the time and never forgave the "powers that be" for taking everyone for idiots with these extra "last ever" allnighters. By now WIgan was well and truly buried, and all credibility had been lost.

Cost Chris Burton about 34K to bring them over a few years ago. They were still massive in the late 90s aqnd could fill a hall anywehere in the USA.

Hey from what I remember the vast majority that did turn up last year were very scathing of it. Couldn't get drinks, queues everywhere, crappy sound system, poor tunes, Champaigne VIP area (for which people paid extra) was just some cordoned off seats and a slice opf pizza and warm pomagne etc... I don't really care if people want to go to this, or what they choose to wear - just don't want it associated with Northern soul - for the same reasons as Terry says. It is not what northern soul IS about. So maybe we do need to change the name then.... ....cos this stuff is a million miles from where I am or want to be.