Went there too, boy what a place that Dome was, I though the Torch was a dodgy place in a scary
neighbourhood but the Dome trounced it on all counts !! Just talking about Matt Jahans the other day.
Best night for me when I arrived a little early and the guys on
the door asked "Chris can you do us a favour ?" being the friendly Lundena that I am replied "Yeah sure" ......................................................what was the favour ?
Chauffeur Sandi Sheldon around all night
This is me just before leaving to go to the Torch circa 72/73. I was leaving via the back patio
doors and me mum grabbed me for a photo with me big bruvva and me gran...................could
I wear a more dorky shirt My brother is wearing my Ben Sherman (I cut him out)
Chris L
The Rocket was a valiant but doomed attempt at a proper Norvern Sowl venue in London, if you
went (and I'm guessing you did) it could never attract enough real NS fans (they live up norf why
would you travel darn to Lunden wear its all expensive and all that when you have the real
thing on your doorstep) and it got filled up with non NS students who treated like any other
London club and its days were numbered.
Had some great nights there, Sandi Sheldon being one of them.
Chris L
The Spellbinders toured Canada in 1965 & 66, they took their own backing band (it's only an hours drive
away ) he had played with them, when they appeared in the UK in 1966 & 67 they came alone.
When he lived in London he travelled to Manchester to get to see the Spellbinders, they were very
much mainstream soul singers so I'm guessing he was a soulman at heart (and a paratrooper !!)
Chris L
No I'm not, it was always the last tune played at the Mecca, all the lights would come on, we'd all
huddle about in groups seeing where we'd be going to next and this would be playing, I kid thee not.
This maybe the most played record at a major venue up until 1982, every Saturday night
from 1971 to 1985..................
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QY71EkaniWY
Clearing out my cupboards during my vacation and found these 2, dating from 1967 and edited
by none other than Tony Cummings. I'm guessing this was the Uk's 1st real dedicated soul
publication. As you can see from the covers there are loadsa NS stars included.
At the early Mecca (72-73) & The Torch Renee Geller (hope I've spelt this correctly) was as about
as famous as some DJs, well into the fazst stuff, Coming to your rescue, Little Quennie, etc.
Chris L
Apparently in Florida (sensible bloke with this kind of weather) his mate Sidney Barnes said that he never
got any money for "But it's alright" - boy haven't we heard that before ?
Chris L
Yes a top soul record by anybodys standards, I think I have about 5 copies of it, Calla, US Warner, UK Polydor, UK Warner and some Canadian label................
Chris L
Do you remember the very last record they played every night
(early morning) when they were switching off the station ??
I used to date a girl from Stevenage and that was about 2
hours drive away so I'd leave her about 11/11.30 then catch
the last hour or so of Radio Luxembourg..............................
what was that car you ask ??
Chris Lalor
Boy was that radio station ever a life-saver, we couldn't wait until about 7.30pm when we could start to
receive it. God bless those Luxemburgers for allowing it, it surely did open up the airwaves for others to
follow............
Chris L
It did get played at Torch all the way thru (at least once) 'cos Martyn Ellis & Bruce made a tape of the stuff
that got played one night and that's included on it.
Chris L
It was known about but a bloke called Nigel Martin had the 1st copy that people actually saw. His dad
worked in Canada and got it from Martin Koppell, I think he actually got 2 or 3 copies, anyway people
were camping outside his house to ty and buy it from him.
Chris L
Only met him and his wife the once, thought he was a super DJ, played all the "right stuff"
always sad, in this case more so. RIP and see you in that all-nighter in the sky.
Chris L