STEFAN BURLAK

What does it matter , who is the best soul Dancer?

The Ark, Soul club in Sheffield, was at the Vestry Hall, situated on the corner of Crookesmoor Road and Roebuck road. I used to go there with my pal Russ Davy, just about every week 1967ish.

https://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/topic/35922-who-remembers-the-ark/ Found this on Sheffield Forum.

I am from Sheffield and used to go to a small upstairs Soul Club called 'Highway 61' at the bottom of Broadfield Road, that was about 67/68. Also there was 'The Ark' at Pitsmoor, a small, church vestry hall type place, used to get rammed. Favourite records there at the time were 'Give a little, take a little' Jimmy Cliff. Everybody dancing on the stage, the wooden floor of the stage bouncing up and down about 1ft. Also Pete Stringfellow's 'Down Broadway' Bistro/Soul Club in High Street, Sheffield centre 69/70ish. Absolutely Brill. https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x4k2elq

My Big Brother told me how he went to see the Who at ' Bridlington Spa' in the 60's. Keith Moon went into a 'manic' drum solo, eventually collapsed and fell onto the drum kit, they carried him off and played on without him.

I used to go to 'The Broken Wheel' at Retford, big carpark outside and up an outside staircase to the door. Brillo atmosphere, wooden floor with large stage at the far end. It must have been 1969/70 when I went, had great all dayers on Sunday's. Basic Soul/Motown music but well attended.

I'll pick a rose for my Rose / Marv Johnson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0JtE1YAx50 Devri / The Platters https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUCgFQscdko Mustang Sally / Wilson Pickett https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWficHa87L4

Classic Loakes 'Brighton' loafers are great dancing shoes. slightly cheaper than brouges. http://www.loake.com/product/brighton-burgundy/ Classic MOD shoe of the 60's

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moXnw1LGjeI "I'd Cry" Also by CHUCK JACKSON Both superb.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-6cA-BiEXI Another Stevie Wonder " I'd Cry"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIdLsv54d1E Stevie Wonder / Love A GO GO

I second Johnnie Taylor with CHANGES, got to be my all time favourite. This record has got everything required of being SUPER MEGA. Taylor worked with Sam Cooke in the early days of his career.

I remember when 'WOOLY BULLY' first came out in '65, SAM the SHAM, people used to dance to it in a 'line type dance'. Not seen many dance together but if it looks good, soulfull and to the beat, it's OK by me.

As an Wheeler of the last years of the Club and other all-night venues, Patches, badges and other paraphernalia to my knowledge did not exist. I am pretty sure it would have been seen as very bad form to wear such items during those times. Patches, badges, became popular during the Wigan era.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CoTDiSaYLBc The Great Frankie Vaughn hit, Wheel Favourite, GREEN DOOR Wynder K Frog

Yamaha Ow31 , memories of Rocket Ron , Brilliant Days. Anyway back to the point, although 'Darkest Days' is in my top 10, but this is worth a listen. Bunny Sigler Follow Your Heart.

First heard this in a Disco in Germany when I was 15 on a football Tour, 1967. The DJ played it about every 20 mins . MOVE - JESS & JAMES and the JJ BAND, I think it was on MGM a yellow label, ordered it when I got back to Sheffield.

1968 Earls Barton Greyhound Racing Stadium; We had been told about this place by a well known friend of ours in Sheffield. I had never been to an allnighter before so me and my pals decided to drive down,100mls South from Sheffield to Northamptonshire. We went down in my Reliant Robin 3 wheeler, 4 of us, I was 16 so could drive one of these on a scooter/motor bike license. Got to the Stadium and had a fantastic night of Soul, Ska and Reggae, a mixture of soul brothers and Skin heads, great time was had and decided to go down again 2 weeks later. Second visit; 100mls down the M1, 4 of us in my 3 wheeler. Just as we were approaching the Stadium down this pitch black country lane, suddenly the road lit up with a blaze of flood lights in front of us. I quickly realised that this was a police road block, threw my matchbox of purple hearts [bluies] out of the window and pulled up. Unfortunately for me they retrieved the box and contents and I was locked up for the night at Wellingborough Police Station, let out at about 7am the next morning for 100 mile drive back to Sheffield. Didn't bother going again.

Brilliant , what a coincidence !!!!!! That day was an amazing experience, narrow stairs from outside going down to a small basement one room club, small stage and packed out. He had a big white/cream piano with a small backing group, Billy wore a light blue Mohair suit, soaked in sweat by the end of his performance. The atmosphere was electric, silence, except for the sound of Billy's classic music. The crescendo for me was when he sang 'EXODUS' , incredible. I think he did about 3 encores . I often think about that day and glad I mentioned it . One thing I always thought about was, how the hell they got the piano down there ?

I was 15 when the Mojo closed, me and my School friend Russell Davy used to go to other Soul clubs in Sheffield, Highway 61 at Heeley, The Ark at Crookes. We made plans to go to the King Mojo but unfortunately it shut before our plans materialised. However not to long after, Mr Stringfellow opened an incredible little club in Sheffield city centre, High Street, called DOWN BROADWAY. Billy 'Fat Boy' Stewart being one of the great live acts to appear. Pete DJ'd introducing the records he played, Brothers Two 'Here I am In Love Again', was one of my favourites. I first went to the WHEEL in 1970, 'Call On Me' Bobby Bland, was a Wheel favourite , as soon as the intro came on the dance floor filled before "Love and Affection" was heard .

I thought all the singers did a fantastic show, I don't know their singing history but they all displayed great feeling and enthusiasm to all the songs. Remember, I don't think they would have ever known or heard of the songs before. They had to get to get to know the tunes and learn all the words, I thought they did an amazing job , together with a first class orchestra. It would have been even better if there could have been a Black Male voice in the mix.

Also photo of inside of card https://photos.app.goo.gl/FzWb3zNBYAqfhgPN9

https://photos.app.goo.gl/v6h8ejrWtyuW8vxT6 This is a photo of my Metro Bistro, Wakefield, membership card. i was number 31 and it was 'Issued' by D.Chapman. I went after closure of the 'Wheel' and was there at the night of the raid. I went with my pals; Alan Trotter, Jeff Fisher and Dave Leaf. Amazingly I just missed the raid because I left the club to go back to my car for more 'medication'. Walking back to the club, I saw a coach outside the club with Uniformed Police running out and into the club. I made a hasty retreat back to my car until a few hours later, when the coast was clear. On my return to the club, very few people left, music still playing, club in big state of disarray. Fun Times.