Northern Soul Uk

The chips are in the pan!!

The Ritz was good but the dance floor made me feel seasick :-)

Yes there is so much that can be done Pete if we put our minds to it, just need the right ideas and actions from the right people. Like I say i am willing to put a lot of promotion and time into it, there's nothing I'd like to see more than the old faces, and hearing the old tunes in the old place. I think even if we could get a mid week night it'd be ok, doesn't have to go on that late and I think folk would still come, or even a Sunday. PS - Started proceedings, leave it with me.

OK now after all this 'Leeds Central' talk, the big question. When are we going to arrange a night to commemorate the club. I'm definitely up for it. We'll get the same DJs or at least some of them, maybe if possible the same venue, doesn't have to be on a Saturday, and I'm 1000% sure that a lot of the old crowd would turn up too. C'mon lads, I am more than willing to help get it going and promote it. What do ya think??

'Cat's Whiskers' in Leeds always hit the nail on the head.

Went to this show at Batley Frontier Club near Leeds last Saturday as a birthday gift from my wife. What a superb show, and although Ben E King couldn't quite hit the notes (age related I suppose), he still put on an excellent show. Gary U.S. Bonds was the star of the show though, what a voice and what a performer! Sang all the big tunes including tracks from the Temps, Four Tops, Otis Redding etc. He had no problems in getting the dance floor packed. The band were totally on fire, hitting all the right notes with the crowd, I have to say, the closest thing to the 'Funk Brothers' I have ever seen. Amazing!! Fab show and a great atmosphere Ben E King closest, Gary U.S. Bonds farthest

Yeah Pete, apparently Chris mallows has 1 too I think. Pete do you remember some of the faces from the Lulu's lot back in the day, like Tommy McLean and John Sweeney? I used to go to school with John Sweeney and it was him that introduced me to the Mod/Scooter scene. I think it will have been him that took me to the 'Spinning Disc' for the first time too. They were proper hard nuts.

Heheh!! yes Roy, I think that was the reason mate. I was in the 'Incas' too at the time, and then when the Central Scooter club was formed I obviously joined that. There are some pictures on my profile gallery of the scoots from the Central SC on their way to Brid' I think, there;s mine, Mac's, Chris mallows, Dave Maltas's and Andy Waller's scooters on there, and all bearing the 'CSC' shields. I will try to find out the name of the Coffee bar opposite the ABC, as the woman and her husband who own the post office near me used to go to it. They told me the name once, but I forgot again. Steve All the best Roy.

No Ian, but at the moment I work with another good friend of Chris's, Terry Dean. I asked him the same question and he said the last time he saw Chris was about 2 years ago when he came into Terry's then place of work repping for some company?? Don't know what he was selling like. Chris was a major player in the Leeds pirate radio scene when he spawned 'Dream FM', then, and still to this day the best pirate radio station in the City and maybe farther afield.

ian I thought you were the same age as me and Pete, 57, I know your birthday is 2 days before mine 4th march?? If I'm wrong please forgive me. Steve (Still love you to bits mate) we had some fab times Ian, especially in your flat on Cardigan Lane, with the 'log laying' dog LOL! Thanks.

Used to love the 'Spinning Disc', The big tune I remember from there was 'Isley brothers - Behind a painted smile' and it's still one of my faves. Also the 'Snowballs' that they used to serve at the bar, which were crushed ice with juice poured over it, Yummy! I also remember a load of scooters getting kicked over outside (before it was pedestrian precinct), there were about 6 parked up and some dickheads went past and kicked them over. I think there was an upstairs bar too in there where you had to be 21 to go in, I never got in cos I was too young at the time. Can't remember what they called the upstairs bit now?? The coffee bar I used to frequent the most was the 'carousel', which was opposite the Grand theatre, and another one (name escapes me now) which was opposite the old 'ABC' cinema. I remember the 'Corousel' was run by a Greek guy called 'Ardi', Top bloke who used to put up with all the goings on. Great days those were. Another place I use to frequent very regular was 'The Precinct' pub, with the metal dance floor, and the really tall DJ (what was his name?), remember cracking up in there after coming back from the Casino one day, might have been the Torch, thought everyone was looking at me, I think they call it paranoia LOL.

What was the record that Martyn Ellis bought at the 'Torch' on the Saturday for a fortune, and it came out on the same Monday for about £2??

Just added some old Central photos from the 70s to my Gallery. Hope you like.

Another memory of the 'Central' was my 21st birthday, I can't remember who did it, but I think it was Joan and Derek who made me a birthday cake with the Central badge iced on it with black icing. Fantastic! so 21, that will have made it 1975. I also remember that on the last days of the Central I was offered a copy of 'Solomon King -This beautiful day' on UK Columbia demo for £30, but couldn't afford it. I have a picture of the Central with Chris Mallows in the forefront, and Ian Dewhirst on the DJ stand in the background. here it is. You may be able to spot someone you know on there too.

OH MY Word, The 'Leeds central'!! The first ever REAL Northern Soul venue i ever went to and easily the best small club in the world ever. I remember the brilliant atmosphere, the massive tunes, the owners Joan and Derek and their beautiful daughter, and Clive her boyfriend, and Len Cave who went through a bottle of Whiskey every night, but what a character. I remember all the DJs, Twink, Ian, Swish, Tony Banks, and was very lucky to have been one of the resident DJs in the later days of the central. If you look at the picture that Pete posted with the mighty 'Bub', that's me on his shoulders, what a top bloke and very sadly missed. I could go on for ever and will probably come back to add to the amazing memories of this legendary venue.

Mad that innit, seeing as they are fetching £10 on 'Stardust'?

Just acquired this from the States. and wondered if I got a bargain? It's in excellent condition and plays without any noise at all, and it's in the original company sleeve. Can you give me your opinion of it's worth please. Thanks

Yeah it's never long on here before the hecklers start posting. End of the day, the post has a title which you can see on the forum posts page, so if you don't like the thread, why click on it?? That's why the thread title is there!