Frankie Crocker

Well spotted. A valid observation and criticism. Perhaps Russ was pushing for a more organised distribution system with Soussan at the source? Alternatively, the scourge of emidiscs was problematical enough to warrant criticism as DJ exclusives were being exposed. At the time though, most of us collectors didn’t mind as it was fine to have the best sounds in any format ie UK issue, US import, Soussan latest release etc. Maybe Russ was concerned that DJ’s were being deceived by some bootlegs and spinning them instead of originals? I was more concerned that King Richard described the Casino as a Disco Venue...

Most certainly. Richard gets all the plaudits whilst Russ has waited in the wings. About time Russ spoke out in public. He speaks modestly and truthfully, clarifying some of the twaddle you read on here. Sure, he didn’t follow the career path of Richard or Kev, but giving credit when it’s due, Russ put Wigan Casino on the map and helped many of us get to where we are today. Thanks for posting.

Just a bit Mike. Just got off a plane. Only one of two legs working... Had to skip the surf in Hawaii but made up for this shopping in Detroit. You know me, I can’t post clips so I leave it to the experts.

A few disappoinments here methinks. Sheppards usually goes for more. Bobby Treetop price about fair given it is a scarcity rather than a rarity.

Two interviews now up on YouTube. Russ being interviewed by Ralph. Really interesting, factual and well worth listening to. Russ comes across really well and finally informs the doubters of what really happened at the start and finish of the Casino years.

Hi Gilly. Put me down for a signed hardback copy.

Look at Popsike or Collectors Frenzy databases - see what recent sales fetched. Put the best records on Soul Source for the connoisseurs at set sale prices. Monitor the lists of main dealers and try to undercut them for a quick sale. Please don’t put the highest price on them as collectors get fed up of being ripped off. Hope this helps.

I think his name is Geoff. He has/had good Pittsburgh connections over the decades. He doesn’t do many auctions. Has a stock of decent records plus the occasional rarity. Records are overpriced so they do not sell. Some US dealers are petrified of selling at lesser prices so they stick a maximum tag on and hope for the best. That said, put up an overpriced collectable and browsers will check out the hundreds of others in the listing.

£400 tops. Still in demand and value can only increase in future, but prospective buyers will hold out for less. This is one of the very best records and a keeper in my books. Sold my spare copy to Ady Croasdell for £30 back in the 90’s after finding a minter at Beverlys, Chicago for $3.

Ah, but it could be a ‘one-off’. Expect this to be sold on and mis-described taking in some unwary collector. eBay should not be selling genuine-fakes like this.

Seller missed the chance to change the title to Me Had You Fooled.

I was at the Ritz for the Tavares show. Was a great performance. They were huge on the radio that hot summer. All the Ritz Sunday Alldayers in the 70’s were rammed and you had the best of ‘Newies’ spun alongside the latest 60’s discoveries. Dancefloor like a trampoline, well and truly sprung, you just stood on it and it moved you.

Tricky decision. Big call. Generally a move that sellers regret making. How badly do you need the money? How often do you play the records and how much pleasure do you gain from this? Probably best to let the big ticket items go one-by-one, ideally on here at set-sale prices or on consignment with any of the main dealers. That way, you could realise several K and still retain the bulk of the collection. Would be good to see a list of higher end records to drool over. PS. Always regretted selling my pop collection in 1974. Always regretted selling the bulk of my Northern collection in 1978.

Top outfit. Loadsa great records. Rick who mans the phones is really helpful so give him a call. I think the opening comment could be applied to so many computer situations where the software is nigh on impossible to navigate. I’ve reached the point where I’d rather avoid learning a new log-in scenario than apply fora credit card, get on a plane, look at my pay slip online (the latest tomfoolery) etc I suspect Tim is letting go of his in-demand sounds and treasured obscurities as the market conditions are peaking for both sellers and buyers.

Not sure why people feel the need to scratch their names in the run-outs of records. Smacks of paranoia and stupidity. Merely lowers the value of a record, and in this case, may have detracted from end of the track.

Found it in the 70’s time capsule...

A nice little jaunt down memory lane. Only a few US originals worth having today, but that’s how it was back then. The sound was always more important than the record, and providing the format was small, black and round, nobody cared. Now what I’d really like to see would be a Wigan Casino time capsule...

P.M’d you.

Cheers George. I’ve sent a PM.

Hi there. I have Don Ray DJ in Excellent condition for £175 and Superlatives blue label in Excellent condition for £120 if you are still interested. UK postage would be £8.50. Let me know if you are still interested and I’ll provide further details.

A somewhat simplistic analysis I think. The last night saga was more down to the Casino owner trying to make a few more bob before closure. Media interest in the Casino can hardly be pinned on Russ. The TV crews visited during prime time and if anything, boosted interest and attendance. Many of the reasons behind the Casino’s demise have been mentioned already. The council’s plans to enforce closure were the final nail in the coffin. Before that, changes in musical direction lost diehard attenders. Many of us simply aged, grew up and moved on to revel in nostalgia. The dance scene reinvented itself during the 80’s and absorbed some of the younger Wigan crew who were hanging on in there at the end.

The punks at Wigan were not a factor. The only time I heard of them, they were chased up the lane by the Casino. On any given Saturday night in Wigan, there were hundreds of soulies arriving en masse, some of who were hardened criminals and the toughest guys from the towns they hailed from. Some of the Wigan goers were recent recruits from the football terraces and not averse to a bit of violence. That said, the presence of a Casino full of fit youngsters deterred the few scruff bags who called themselves punks from causing any real aggrevation.

Good question. Looking at a few YouTube clips, it’s hard to tell but it looks like the vinyl blanks start off with a small spindle hole, have a LP type label applied when the record is hot, then the large centre hole is dinked before the 45 slides off the press onto a stack. Assuming it’s possible to remove a record for quality control pre-dinking, this would explain the format of Richard’s 45. Are there any record pressing plants open to tours that would give further insight into the manufacturing process?

Been waiting for a nice clear clip for a while. Still one of my favourite sounds. On a 10 inch acetate so a tricky record to cart around. A true ‘one-off’ that I hope one day will be released on the Butch label, hint, hint...

Pat & Lolly Vegas released a half-decent Northern/Popcorn 45 called Robot Walk on the Apogee label. It looks like a Los Angeles pressing but the credits reveal no further information germane to this discussion. The singers definitely sound blue-eyed soulsters to me. Back in 1971, I quite liked Redbone’s ‘Witch Queen Of New Orleans’ listened to under the bed covers on a pocket sized transistor tuned into Radio Luxembourg. I have this in my pop collection in the basement, sadly displaced to make room for another box of Northern 45’s. I can still remember nights at Wigan when Danny Monday was one of the biggest and best records played.