Steve G

I thought I’d just update everyone on my forthcoming book "All Platinum - The Making Of A Sound" which is now in its final pre-production stage. Although I am not yet taking orders, I am confident that this book will be out in time for Christmas 2023 (I still need to see how much a printer will charge me). It is a comprehensive history of this most misunderstood of record labels, where so much incorrect “history” is awash all over the internet. A company that had an amazing array of creative talent pass through its doors which, combined with Sylvia’s flair for spotting a hit or a new trend, led to an explosive mix of hits and misses. The story takes the reader through the history of All Platinum from its humble beginnings in 1967 in chronological order, through to its decision to purchase the Chess catalogue in 1975 and then on to 1979 and its ultimate demise. There are many exclusive interviews with people who were there and quotes from insiders. As well as the company’s hitmakers, The Moments, The Rimshots, The Whatnauts, Donnie Elbert, Linda Jones, Retta Young etc., the obscurer acts to sign on with Joe & Sylvia have their stories told too. The penultimate chapter deals with the demise of the company and the birth of Sugar Hill Records. Whilst I have left the Sugar Hill story to someone else, the book finishes with the “death by litigation” that has persisted from the 1970s into the 21st Century and ultimately beyond the lives of Joe & Sylvia R. I haven’t stayed away from the controversy that surrounded the company either. Joe & Sylvia had as many detractors as they had champions. The book also looks at how the company’s musical explosion in the UK and Europe came about in the mid 70s, another fascinating story in itself. The second part of the book is the most comprehensive discography featuring over a further 200 pp and showing what I believe to be every record released, distributed or pressed by the company (including some that I am sure you won’t have seen before and titles for some of the famous “missing numbers”. The book totals 534 pages in A4 size and in colour! So, make a note to add “All Platinum - The Making Of A Sound” to your Christmas list. Steve

No, I got my wires crossed.

No better or worse than any other expose as far as I could see. It just followed the usual format of visit to a local club, interviews with enthusiasts, Russ on Wigan, a bit on youngsters, then interviewer gets invited to a northern night to experience it. We have seen this format numerous times before over the years. As for Craig Charles, he is a popular figure and well known by the public at large and most who'd tune into the One Show. So no issues with him doing it at all.

When was this then? Or are you confusing him with Trevor Nelson?

What is this "scene" that people speak of? The last "scene" I think I experienced was now a long time ago. These days "northern soul" seems to be a very loose rubber band embracing all sorts of events, and musical types, many of which appear to be self contained niches with their own patrons who will go to one venue but not another one up the road. People that have found "northern soul" since the 70s, have come from many different walks of life, life experiences and time periods. The die hard all nighter travellers of the 70s and even 80s are a dwindling bunch, unsurprisingly as age catches up with people and I see more people going to local events purely because they enjoy the style of music / a bit of dancing or the social craic. As someone in his sixties now, who remembers when there was "a scene" to speak of and a set of rules we lived by, I'd just say those days are long gone, so enjoy what you like and live life to the full while you still can. So to the Proms. In the past I've always seen these as nothing more than an upper class twits pastime, a chance for them to dress up, belt out "Jerusalem" and the national anthem at the top of their voices, wave flags and go home delighted at how patriotic they must be. A dystopian tory wet dream. The northern soul tribute night marks something of a break with that image and appears to be more inclusive and relevant. When I look at countless venues playing boots, boring as fook playlists, the clothes, NS tat galore and even records like that "Champion" vocal and "Tribute", I cannot see exactly what an orchestra or a couple of hours on BBC TV is "threatening" the integrity of. Any claim to underground purity went decades ago. As I quite like watching musicians practice their art, I shall watch the TV version at some point.

It's quite funny this perception that artists are all lovely folk and being ripped off somehow by DJs having a few cover ups and playing them in underground clubs to a few hundred people. Of course they are not.

A scene? We live in parallel universes with multiple scenes. There is no scene as such to "save" anymore. Just multiple factions, ranging from large events to small, all doing their own thing and all with their own supporters. Numerous gigs each weekend all with their own DJs. Saw a clip this morning of hundreds of folk at a do walking distance away from us. Loads dancing to Benny Troy, I understand they were "scooterists". Many of us don't go to their events, and apart from a very small minority they don't come to ours. Likewise many of us don't go to a lot of events with the same old re-treads going round and round every week. That's the world we live in. There is nothing to save, so just enjoy whatever you enjoy while you still can.

Signatures are certainly popular with the civilians / casuals. Not for me though.

Yep, what I was saying.

Good luck to them. A lot of older people are also very lonely and if this gets them out to meet people, then it gets my vote. What doesn't get my vote are silly old buggers who still think "the scene" is an edgy thing. Keep those as your memories (while you still can remember).

So you are saying that we cannot be sure the photo of Chuck Wood is really Chuck Wood and that the photo of J.B Troy might not be J.B Troy because someone might have added his name to the photo of someone else? I think I've lost the will to contribute anything further to this thread at this point.

A quick scan of Discogs knocks J B Troy out as well. Unless it's another "wrong photo" of course I am done with this speculative stuff. Let's stick to what we do know, if and until we know better.

Oct 76

In the interview (Black Music) he says "Calla Records gave me my start, but I left, and got back on Broadway, on the scene again. Eventually, I started working with Rudy Clark, who wrote hits for Bobby Darin. I went to their firm, and worked nine to five, for fifty dollars a week.". Well we know he didn't start with Calla, but there is no mention of Chuck Wood or even Al Wilson let alone any others on the list. I think we're flogging a dead horse here. No matter how hard, there is no firm evidence that JR Bailey is Chuck Wood, in fact I am even more doubtful of the connection now than I was a week ago. The Big T photo of Chuck Wood would have come over from Roulette.

Well sort of in a way, although peoples tastes do change too. I do laugh at those who are now chasing records they were offered 10+ years ago for cheap and turned them down "Ooooh that's not for me", who are now spending a fortune trying to get the same records because they're "in" all of a sudden. No names on a public forum, but some well known ones.

Thanks, and that's the point Mike. We can't just go joining dots and making assumptions without hard evidence. Unfortunately, absent an "I'm Spartacus" moment, which now seems impossible, and absent a professional voice recognition expert, we'll never know for sure. Especially with so many singers around back then.

There is an advert for 7 days with that photo.

Thanks to Ian Melia I have just seen the photo of Chuck Wood again. He doesn't look a bit like J R Bailey. Not that that is conclusive either of course.

Same with Discogs, so many "Not available in the UK" now - very frustrating. There will be an SLA in the contract between eBAY and HMR&C, something like they'll pay 98% of funds collected each 30 days.

All I know is that J.R Bailey, Jimmy Bailey and Al Wilson (the Wand one) are all the same person. Chuck Wood is also a possible for J.R.Bailey (no more absent any proof) weren't there pictures of a promo of Chuck Wood and J R Bailey knocking about? I have seen no evidence that he is also Rubin, or Lee Roye and have tended to veer towards Vernon Harrell as being the more likely candidate there, having listened to their respective records. Then again they could be someone entirely different. Sorry that is as far as I get.

Basically yes by Wand. Nothing more sinister.

Their producers got the backing track directly from Al Goodman on a visit to Europe. Full story in my forthcoming book on AP. S&S story is quite interesting on a number of levels since there were two "Spookys". Anyway, looks like there will be some interest in it when I publish later this year.

He turned it around, it was like watching a different team. As Chalky says he had to go for it, defence wasn't an option. Now watch the vultures start to make a move on our players.

Marked his team "Safe" from relegation.