Hooker1951

Hard question to answer but probably on balance did more good than bad but nobody’s perfect, falling in Love with Diane Ross didn’t help some of his artists probably clouded his judgement on some music issues , but he did what he did and will never be forgotten like not thinking Marvin What’s going on was not good enough to release will always be remembered Stay Safe ML

Another Great Artist gone but at least he lived to a good age RiP Lloyd ML

After this lockdown and horrible disease one thing is obvious that “” Time Is Precious” the people who we have lost or missed on the scene sometimes for ever, Let’s just hope and pray that the good times that we were all used too over the years come back in some kind of semblance and make up that precious time we have all lost, Some of the petty things that annoyed us all some time or other on the scene don’t seem that important now the main thing the Music the friendship should take precedence again and the good times should come back naturally, I’m Sure they will, there are too many good people on the Soul Scene for it to fail, I look forward to getting it back , See you Soon at Another Time another Place God Bless to all the Soulies still here today and for the ones we’ve lost over the years and Remember Time is Precious KR Mck L

Hi Tony Sorry to hear that, hope your well I had a vey lucky escape with COVID but getting my strength back now, hope to see you all after these bad times, always remember what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, I Hope LoL, Stay Safe ML

More Sad News, I’m just Happy to be alive, keep Strong Everybody. RIP Dave ML

First went to Carlton in July 69 mid week if I can remember possibly Wednesday night packed to rafters playing Tamla Stax and what later became NS an old friend of mine was working the door Walter o Malley who later became Mr World DJing that night was Kev Edwards who was in the same class as me at school, it’s amazing how mid week venues did so well as opposed to today not withstanding COVID different times then maybe better Rose tinted glasses come to mind. Stay Safe ML

What a great artist could cover a vast spectrum in all kinds of music, Real Soulful voice always loved his music RiP Johnny Nash ML

What a great artist and always showed blue eyed Soul can be good, that song was a big hitter at the Room at the Top Wigan circa 1965 RIP Roy Head Mick L

Jimmy burns for me but bobby James version is pretty close 2nd ML

Hi Ste See if you can contact them tables and if they have any spare gear Mick L

Hi Stephen part of my music apprenticeship was working on Silcocks waltzer travelling the North west and of course visiting the Nottingham Goose fair I worked for 5 years travelling and our Waltzer was actually nick named Silcock,s Soul castle a hell of a lot young Soulies heard their first big Soul sounds on the fairgrounds I know we were up there with all the Soul clubs introducing the sounds of American Soul, I remember buying Going to a happening Tommy Neil, Boogaloo Party, Soulful dress etc for the machine back in 68 Memories that will last forever ML keep Safe

Hi Ste I know that Steve and that’s why I mentioned it in the first paragraph, I’m the last person in the world to try to steal that happiness you felt everybody starts somewhere, myself being in my mid twenties at that time it seemed more than one generation apart, however 10 years on you had all caught up and we were all on a level playing field and in it together to enjoy the Scene which had matured as well as the people who loved it and that is why I remember 85 to 95 so fondly I am safe and well Ste hope you are too fingers crossed for things to ease up soon ML

Everybody has their favourite years of enjoying NS, For some it will always be their start on the journey, the Excitement being young and being part of something powerful where you could escape into a world of dance and Music, I first started my love of Soul in 1963 age 12 went through the Club Soul and Tamla and RnB club circuit till the mid 1970,s still loved the music but got a little bit disappointed with the scene around 75, where I thought the teeny bopper Soulies had watered the Scene down that some venues looked like Giant Youth Clubs, I bowed out but still kept my interest in the Music. Because my Business involved the night time economy I was never far away to what was happening, for me The best years were 1985 when I really got interested again in Dancing The Music the Excitement came back until 1995 it was still good after that but for me the teenyboppers I mentioned in the previous paragraph had either vanished or evolved into thoroughbred Soulies The Music had become much Stronger the Soulies much wiser most were Still in their prime to enjoy themselves there was a vast influx of discoveries new 60,s etc . So for me 1985 to 1995 were my Golden years in NS what were yours? keep Safe ML

In answer to my initial question I can only say what I would like to happen, Smaller intimate venues with good dance floors, more thought on lighting and atmosphere to enhance the Soul music being played, Venue capacity around 150 so if it was only 75 people attending it would still maintain the Atmosphere, There has as I know personally no big money being a promoter if I broke even I thought I’d succeeded , Most good promoters do it for the love of the music and the thought of giving people a great experience , that’s why I used to do it anyway, I think that this lockdown has been a time for reflection and if your love of NS comes into this reflection , You might be thinking of all kinds of things to make the return of live Soul events eventful and exciting, where ever their is good strong music atmosphere and happiness there will always be another school of thought who cut corners water the music down and end up with a soul night without substance, this is what led to too many very commercial weak Soul events, Standards should always be high in the choice of DJ,s especially how they can put their hour together to keep people interested and happy, to entertain not show off, love what your doing but not at the expense of the customer, Anyway let’s hope everything comes to near normal ASAP and we can start moving forward again. Keep Safe and stay Strong ML

Betty definitely has the edge here, more raw and soulful than Sharon,s version ML

Excellent article, I remember Mick jagger and Keith Richards raving about Harlem Shuffle in early 64, ML

Could this virus cause the end of the live NS scene as we know it, And how can we help to save it, the clock is ticking, and the Night time economy will never return as it was before the writing was on the wall 5 years ago this virus has put the icing on the cake faster than was thought, Ideas anybody, ? KR ML

I could’ve sworn he was 86 Happy birthday Keith ML

Eddie Cole born in 1910, Nat was born in 1919 , Freddie in 1931 musical family if there ever was one.

If I ever do a spot anywhere My Love is always there ready to played. RiP Tammy Lynn Mick L

I worked as a doorman at the Casino1970-73 it was my privilege to open the stage door side entrance for the acts and to mind them when they were performing and to make sure they were looked after while they were on the premises and left safely , The acts included of course Edwin Starr, Jimmy Ruffin , Fantastics, William Bell, Arthur Conley, Ben E king and his Band, Tommy Hunt, Jimmy James n Vagabonds Lou Christie Johnny Johnson and the bandwagon, and many many more Soul acts Plus all the pop acts of the day . Great Days Great Memories, they were all great acts live but Ben E King was Magic keep Safe Mick Lyons

Anybody got a strong rope with a noose or a tub of strychnine handy LoL, ML

Sign over the door entering saying you enter the Soul occasion at your own risk and that the promoter is in no way responsible if you catch the virus, that saying the one metre rule distancing becomes the rule and of course the toilets are open again. Sounds like hard work I Know anybody else got ideas? KR ML

Berry Gordy and Smokey Robinson could have made it as comedians if there was no music Good show except for too much Diane Ross but I suppose she is part of the History well worth watching. ML