Approx 1977 when still at school, after hanging around mate's house, as his big brother had boxes of soul records. When Pete went out, we used to play all his tunes, stuff like Billy Thomson - Black eyed Girl , David & Giants - 10 miles high, Mary Love - Turned my bitter into sweet etc etc.
Pete & his mate Des, then took 3 of us youngsters to Central Hall in Kettering for an E.A.S.C. all-dayer in about 1977/78 & the rest is history as they say!!
We stood in amazement at the dancers for hours, before plucking up the courage to have a go ourselves. We must have looked a right bunch of "Herberts" in our cap-sleeve t-shirts, Tunnel Loop trousers with matching "Right on brother" belts & Solatio shoes.
Regardless of dress sense ( or lack of it ), i was hooked right away, it was like finding your niche in life, it was where i wanted to be. The tunes i remember from that period were stuff like Gwen Owens - Wanted & Needed, Carl Carlton - Competition aint nothin', The Reflections - Like Adam & Eve, Freddie Chavez - They'll never know why, Eloise Laws - Love Factory, Gil Scot Heron - The Bottle, The Chandlers - Your love makes me lonely, & many many more!!
The passion has never left me, even on my break from the scene for marriage/ Kids etc & being back now for me is better than ever.
I wrote this in memory of Peter Mulrainey who suddenly passed away on New Years Eve 2009 at the age of 49 years. Pete, many thanks for the memories & for my introduction to the Soul scene. May you rest in peace my friend!!
many thanks,
John Mc.