Hi Mick , I'm now 67 & like most people of this age I to suffer from 2 life changing diseases , medication helps , but no cure , not an immediate sentence to death as surgery if required is available plus a very painful problem with my spine , annual nerve pain blocker , & lots of daily meds , Diazapam, Pregabilin, Amitriptyline. Just got to get on with daily life & now work part time in the building trade .
I was lucky found Northern Soul via youth clubs , then onto Alnighters, VaVa's , Wigan , Sheffield, Yate etc etc the list is endless, stopping in 93 to concentrate on bringing up a family , & work commitments very busy with work & living a normal family life style .
Dipped my toe back into the scene Albrighton, Kettering, Warwick back in the early 20s but never really committed, lots of other hobbies by now .
Nowadays still collecting vinyl and CDs & the love of the music has never wained , 1 or 2 nights a week in the man cave a few beers & the music, wether a 60s classic or a brand new release and the memories come flooding back .
During Lockdown The Bury Virtual Alnighters served as an essential means of contact , not just for people still on the scene but also those people, older , poorly , carers , anybody who loves Northern Soul , That I believe is a way forward for the older population, who can't get out & about , a fortnightly or monthly soul night via the internet with the means to communicate, djs or guests picking the sets , but for some reason there seems to be an over whelming disapproval for this kind of event to be aired , as it may reduce numbers attending live venues . Which I think is a complete load of nonsense, & just because we're old an in a lot of cases too poorly to get out & about we should not be allowed to carry on listening to Northern Soul , communicating with old & new friends & mates ,in the comfort of your own home , yes mixcloud & the odd radio shows during the week , buts it's the comaradery we need , I've just had an upgrade on a new set of hearing aids , and the music has never sounded better.