Frankie Crocker

Well, the vocal sounds as good as as any top performer like Jerry or Garland or Gene or Jack...a rich voice that delivers. The intro is unique and unmistakable, boding promisingly for a well crafted crossover tune that is sure to have some twists and turns as it unravels. It certainly gives the dancers time to pick their spot on the floor. I would agree with the comment about tricky to dance to - the record requires nimble footwork and definite change of pace, so not a track for those who only ever dance the same way all the time. This is a track that requires more thought than usual but maybe that’s not a bad thing. Definitely not one for the spinners and acrobats but a nice mellow medium-pace sound that lilts along soulfully.

Well, the seller didn’t get a bargain. Neither did some of the earlier bidders. As the winning bid was a late snipe, it looks like the person came to their senses and concocted a plausible reason to welch on the commitment to pay. I suppose the quick sale was negotiated with a definite buyer in mind - if this was the earlier underbidder, then they have done well out of the deal.

Some interesting comments above suggesting the record is not an instant floorfiller. If rarely spun out, most folk will be unfamiliar with it and reluctant to dance. Then again, it may be more of a slow-burner as it is a slightly different sound. Lots of good points - please keep them coming.

So there copies around well before the days of eBay. Again, not surprised to hear Arthur has factored the record into his sets.

Thanks for this. Doesn’t surprise me to hear these two maestros were on the case early.

Has this elusive track on the Heavy Sounds Inc label been played out much? There are 12 sales listed on Popsike, 8 white DJ copies and 4 green issues. Clearly it is a rare and expensive track, but has anyone witnessed it spun in public? If it has had a public airing, I would be interested to know who the DJ was. Any and all comments on the topic would be much appreciated.

Please do Stan and let us know. Is the seller the one who turned up the Frank Wilson test press? All the records they have auctioned recently looked kosher and some were very tasty.

Advert says Excellent but this is two copies from the same seller. Has a box turned up?

A few tasty bits and pieces there, but similar to previous months with just a few big hitting Northern numbers and a range of other soul genres dominating the picture. Professionals was in nice shape so jumped 50% on previous prices. Servicemen seldom seen, but that’s two copies on eBay recently, fetched more than expected. Turley Richards issue went for a monstrously high amount as current demand remains feverish - demos are much commoner. Condition has evidently become of lesser significance to buyers with some raritiesin rough shape being snapped up to DJ with.

It’s OK and certainly a track worthy of discussion. It has enough to merit spins during a warm-up spot but is just a little too commercial Girl Group to put in the DJ box for a big venue.

Steve, look after those boards as one day they may find a fitting resting place... Were some of them used in the special museum exhibit a few years back? Sad that Wigan Pier did not establish itself as a tourist attraction but at least the council helped to preserve it. Oddly enough, the car park adjacent to the Casino is still a derelict site as it was not developed as part of the shopping centre project. Now I’m thinking about it, there could have been scope to preserve the facade and put a museum in this part of the redevelopment. Along the road of course is another council aberration, the loss of an Olympic size swimming pool to accommodate offices. Maybe one day, the museum will be re-housed in an impressive building like the new library so the Casino exhibit could receive better coverage.

Valid point. There was a considerable revenue stream and little of it appeared to be invested in the fabric of the building apart from Mr M’s that seemed to have had a facelift. That said, the Victorian ballroom complex was reaching the end of its working life and probably approaching demolition, was not worth the major investment. Much of the revenue went on staff wages - look at the poster to see the team of people involved. A lot must have been spent on publicity with adverts in Blues and Soul, posters, badges etc. We know Russ had a raw deal as he opted for a fixed fee to DJ and missed out on a cut of the weekly takings. Bottom line is nightclubs are expensive to run, involve huge hassle, and legal issues often result in premature closure like it or not.

Harsh criticism methinks. Gerry Marshall did a fine job of nursing the Casino through the twilight years. Mike Walker did a terrific job making us all welcome and ensuring the Allniters happened: not sure why he committed suicide but at this point, we all need to be grateful that he was around in the 70’s. Sure, the council were behind the ultimate demise, and maybe behind the arson that finished the grand old lady off? More recently, the council could have included a rebuilt Empress Ballroom in the shopping centre redevelopment but it probably didn’t even occur to them. My late grandmother worked at Trencherfield Mill and danced at the Casino ballroom when it was the ‘Emp’ in the 1930’s. This was the era of the big band and the dancehall would have been a magnificent sight in those days. Even in the 60’s, the venue hosted top acts such as the Beatles and many of the leading artists of the day. When we were going in the 70’s, it was still a place of awe and you could not fail to be blown away when passing through the double doors at the back of the main ballroom. Nobody in their teens or twenties regarded the venue as a ‘dump’ back in the day, and it would be more fitting if those who actually went said the Casino had seen better days and left it at that. The posters, memorabilia, patches etc evoke such nostalgia, you can't help feeling the council missed a golden opportunity to rebuild an entertainment complex plus museum for future generations.

Great piss-ups Len. You were OK though as you were wearing wellies. Bar was always six deep and the second bar was only opened once if I recall. Roger and Mick when DJing always struggled to put on a record more common than the previous one. It was always a relief to get back to street level and be barged by fewer drunks.

An interesting take on the legendary venue. As a veteran of over 100 Allniters there, I would have to say the do’s generally bordered on splendiferous and unsurpassable. Cloakroom pranks probably down to Tef or Brummie Mick, perhaps on a quiet night. Attendances recently have dipped with fewer diehards travelling from up North, but full marks for anyone who went the extra 200 miles month after month, decade after decade. Sure, there’s always been a few bewildered new faces it being the capital city and Time Out steering some unsuspecting tourists down the stairs. The Anniversary Allniters bear comparison with the best do’s ever held on planet earth, but some Saturdays struggle as the once-a-year merchants can’t be bothered to support a regular event.

There have been a few at the fabled 100 Club down the years. Going back to the 90’s, Ady put on a Modern Soul Allniter. Hardly anyone turned up and virtually none of the regulars showed up apart from myself. I left after a couple of hours as the music was so dull and uninspiring. Ady said he felt he had to put the event on as the followers had no other events to go to. Needless to say, the promotion was not repeated. Some of the 100 Club Christmas Parties were far from soulful. Dancefloor covered with beer. Toilet floor flooded. Venue packed with handbaggers, tourists and groups out on a bender. Very little rare soul played. Sound system struggling above the racket. Lots of well known Motown and commercial soul with a liberal helping of poppy Northern, some leaning towards the festive season. Largely a great piss-up for those off work the next day.

St Annes Square where the posh folk do their shopping. A sight of rare beauty...in a dark dancehall at five in the morning. When I bought my McAfee brogues on Bond Street back in the 80’s, the shop assistant said ‘these will see you out sir’ implying the shoes will last longer than I will live.

Hi Steve. Sounds like you gate crashed a wedding by mistake. Best to go to any pub on a Saturday night as there’s a strong chance a Northern Disco will be happening in the back room...

You were in luck. It could have been Judy Street, once voted the most popular track, Sharonettes and Lloyd Michaels. Evidently the DJ’s had flogged their copies of Tomangoes, Cecil Washington and Yvonne Baker. Still, must look on the bright side as you were spared Joe Ninety, Hawaii 5-0 and Ghost In My House...

Horses for courses... Would you wear plimsolls to dance in at an Allniter - probably not? Still not sure why dancers feel the need to wear sports footwear to dance in when there are enough smart shoes on the market that have the same attributes. Whatever way a dancer chooses to move on the floor, there is a leather/rubber/vinyl sole that is fit for purpose and tones in well with the clothing. Once upon a time, you couldn’t get in a club wearing training shoes (or jeans or without a tie) - now it seems anything goes.

Never come across these before. Evidently of some nostalgic value to someone. Certainly a museum piece...perhaps someone’s opening up a Museum of Northern Soul. Would look good framed on the wall of a record room. Very much doubt they will be played by the eventual winner, let alone spun in public.

I rather like Northern Soul. Proper Northern Soul that is. I detest journalists who think they are hip using the term Northern Soul to describe a restaurant in Highbury or a cottage in the Yorkshire Dales. I thoroughly dislike U.S.A. dealers tagging any old 60’s up-tempo track ‘Northern Soul’ in the hope some fool might buy it. Rare Soul is a term used for music that is not Northern Soul but liked by people who dabble in the realms of 50’s to 70’s black music of varying tempos. Sometimes the sounds are not rare or soulful but can be liked by those with an ear for them.

Cheers Kev. Thanks for confirmation. No doubt Simon was a key source of top tunes back in the day. Even today, it is very hard for a DJ to break one new tune given the reluctance of the dancing public to embrace star-quality first time out, so not surprised to learn a mass of instrumentals received a luke-warm response.

Never heard of SS DJing at the Casino. Perhaps Richard, Kev or Pat could verify this. Did anyone on here actually attend an Allnighter he DJed at? Even if he was invited to DJ, he would have only played something that became a bootleg later anyway?

Thanks for posting it Derek. I remember it well. Leaky roof. Inside, it felt more like a hut than a store. Made several visits in the 1990’s and got plenty of nice records.