Sean Hampsey

Mine was a real bargain then. Cost me 10p.

I've got TWO copies. Both are Yellow. A Garaggghhh! Classic

Quality wise = Priceless! But, it usually makes £50 in auction for a clean copy (tho' I have seen it go for more).

Good Friday April 14th hosts the next Cleethorpes 'Winter Gardens' All-Dayer, with a 'Pitches Reunion' session (TATS, KEV BRISCOE, SEAN HAMPSEY, JOHN BENSON) in addition to NEIL RUSHTON, FISH, GARY WELSH etc in the 'Modern Soul' room - full details soon, or you can contact Steve Woomble for early news on - steve.woomble@btinternet.com So, it's not advertised as the big send off , but it will probably turn out to be! If there's still time it would be good to do something on a grand scale. Get some of the old Cleethorpes boys out.... Rick Scott, Chris Dalton, Poke and yours truly! I'd even forgo my huge wage packet for this one!

Hi Steve, I've been locked in the Basement of a record store, by the owner, for 5 or 6 hours as the entrance to it was on the sidewalk (pavement... for you limy's). He wanted to carry on his business upstairs while we dug through the vinyl underground. I remember we were dying of thirst in the heat and had to take urine relief in the corner, but, as I recall, it was well worth it! Sean Hampsey

Count me in. When & Where? I'll Be There! Does your venue hold 1,000? Sean Hampsey

Hi Rob, You are dead right. You drove the getaway car. You was that driver. Me, Your missus and 21 stone, 6'5" Bully hid under the coat (I wasn't alone) while Tats laughed his tackle off and gave them all the finger! At the time I couldn't figure out if he was mega brave or just a total, bleedin' idiot. Of course, 10 years on, I know him much better now.... it wasn't bravery. BTW Awesome gig on Saturday Rob. Kim was Fantastic. Credit to yer boy. Those who weren't there... miss Kim Weston at your peril.

I think the 'Right On Soul Music' in the run out groove kinda gives the game away on yours mate. Its a Boot. As is the one that just went on eBay.

Hi Russ, Hope you're doing well mate. Not seen you since I guested at your gig on the south coast along with Gavin Page... some 6/7 years ago? A crackin' night. Had a few experiences like yours. Back in 85 in San Francisco a guy got really aggresive with me when he found out I was a Brit because a UK Soul dealer had been in his shop a few days prior and 'wrecked his stock'. I told him I'd never heard of the guy!! (taking the fifth here). About ten years ago, in a particularly heavy part of Washington, me and a few mates were threatened, through a record shop doorway, by the boys in the hood for being on 'my street'. Fortunately the dealer was a well respected (and well connected) old boy and he 'gently' persuaded the lynch mob to go back over to the other side of the street where they hovered like Buzzards until we were escorted out of town. But if you really want a strong dose of verbal abuse, check out Rich Rozen in Vegas. Spend less than $500 and he won't even let you dial a taxi. A real Bad Mutha F***A! Got some great stuff off him though last year (for $510!!) Worth every second of the bitchin' Cheers Sean Hampsey

Re Clifton Hall, I deejayed at (pretty much) every Clifton Hall Allnighter and I also promoted the 'Harlem Shuffle' events in the mid 80's. At Harlem Shuffle, the music policy was quality 60's only 'Club Soul' inspired by the Twisted Wheel, Mojo, 1812, Attic, Tinned Chicken etc. DJ's on the first night were:- Myself (Sean Hampsey), Malc Burton (Fellow Promoter), Dave Evison and Bill Payne. Because of the derth (nay, total absence) of anything happening throughout the region soul wise, we sold over 750 tickets and the place was heaving. My dear friend, the late great Dave Godin was our guest and he judged the dancing competition. The '60's Soul' scene was on its arse around that time (85/86) and the Harlem Shuffle / Clifton Hall gig(s) kick started a hell of a lot of revived activity throughout S. Yorkshire and elsewhere. I did the second (Harlem Shuffle - Two) some six months later which sold out in only 4 days. We had Bub on the line up, replacing Dave Evison and I well remember having to give the old boy a serious chewing off for playing 'I've Got The Need' which was considered well outside the musical policy. Sorry Bub (RIP). After the buildings demise, the third 'Harlem Shuffle' took place at the Grattans building in Rotherham, but it was a greatly reduced affair with only about 200 in attendance (t'would be pretty good numbers by todays standards though, I guess). It was 3/4 years later before I got the urge to promote again and was responsible (along with a couple of buddies) for 13 succesive years at Herringthorpe Leisure Centre (Rotherham) with 'The Old Farts Serious Soul Session' - a night which continued the theme of the original 'Harlem Shuffle' sessions. Together we went on to run 'Pitches' in Rotherham and 'The Phoenix' in Sheffield, two more great (legendary) venues with true 'Across The Board' playlists. As for the Clifton Hall Allnighters, fellow DJ Steve Mannion is right. I'm still looking for a suitable venue for a Clifton revival night, in celebration of an awesome allnighter, which, apart from breaking new ground and new tunes, was, at the time (post Wigan) the biggest thing in the country. Watch this space. Sean Hampsey

The answer to your Question (as far as The Northern soul Scene is concerned) is.... The diminutive Matchie (from Rotherham). Some 35+ years ago we used to stand in awe of him as he acrobatically controlled the dancefloor at my local club. He brought the steps back from the Wheel (some said) but I believe he introduced the style in the first place. Girls Girls Girls (Chuck Jackson) and Girls Are Out To Get You (Fascinations) were his theme tunes... and boy did he 'perform' them. Never seen a better dancer since. Matchie Invented Northern Soul Dancing. Nuff said.