By Eli (68.236.53.71) on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 01:50 pm:

I need an opinion from all of you Northern afficianados.

I was talking to "some people" who were discussing opening a club in Philly that was not the usual "cookie cutter" type boring venue, so the idea of a "replica" of a Northern type venue, a'la the Torch, complete with all of the accoutrements including dj, mode of dress, al nighters, al the goodies.
Would this kind of thing work in Philly???

By Nosey (66.153.113.238) on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 02:32 pm:

I dunno Bobby. Many folks I talk to never heard of Northern Soul. Heck, I just found out about it @ 2 years ago.
What are the clubs like in the UK?

By irvmilne (81.152.214.219) on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 02:34 pm:

that would be a dream i love to come true it depends on the good people of philly would they enjoy listening to 5/8 hours of classic 60ts r'n'b or would it be a fad for a while,if you could get that off the ground i'm sure a lot of people from the uk would come over and make a week or two of it boosting the local economy into the bargin,fingers crossed that you can get it up and running...irvmilne

By RD (65.54.97.203) on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 02:36 pm:

Great idea Bobby. I think it would work. Many older music fans have no clubs to go to these days and would love one that featured old soul music. You could even have some of the artists appear at the club...tape the performances and sell the DVD's and CD's...etc. I'm thinking a chain of these type clubs in all the major cities.

By Nosey (66.153.113.238) on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 02:51 pm:

Let me just say, I used to go out to the oldies dance scene here in Philly (I was considered a regular) averaging about 2 nights a week. I stopped going because there are no true oldie's lovers here anymore. It's all line dancing and now they are line dancing to contemporary music i.e., Step In the Name of Love. I would love to see it get off the ground and would be an active participant if it stayed true to being 60s and 70s oldies.

I also find most people here aren't interested in hearing obscure oldies. All they want to hear is the recognizable stuff, "Ain't That Peculiar, Doin It to Death, etc.

Bobby check out Annette (Brown Sugar)Smith's building in the 4700 block of Wissahickon Avenue near the expressway. I heard Patty Jackson & nem are up there now on Saturday nights packing em in.

By Eli (68.236.53.71) on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 03:19 pm:

Thanks guys!!
Hey RD, thanks for the support.I realy apreciate your enthusiasm.
I was also thinking about doing a weekend radio show featuring rare and "Northern-esqu" records.
We have several decent stations here where you can buy time and I have ben seriously considering this.

Jerry Blavat keeps telling me that I should have my own show, and that he would hook it up.
We'll see.

By Soul Sister (65.43.144.46) on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 03:23 pm:

Bobby;
See the Howard Tate thread.
Soul Sis

By Dayo (81.134.214.146) on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 05:28 pm:

Bobby

I've never been to Philly, and believe me, I'm a generally positive person, but from Birmingham, England, this idea sounds odd.

The 3 best known and best loved Northern Soul venues might be The Torch, Wigan Casino and The Twisted Wheel.

None of them were exactly luxurious! We went for the music, the dancing, the vibe, the people and the pills. Put em in which ever order you choose.

The venue had to meet only a few criteria. The sweat should drip down the walls, the toilets should flood without warning, and the light show must not extend much beyond a UV tube or two.

I'm afraid we're all too soft now to do an allnighter 1973 style!

Now... a soul cafe with awesome music, memorabillia and maybe a little dancing? Might be another story!

By David Meikle (62.252.128.10) on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 06:11 pm:

Brilliant idea Bobby. Nothing ventured nothing gained.

"Surprise party for baby" would be a great opener.

By fayette (64.12.112.166) on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 07:12 pm:

we got a few clubs in atlanta that has older
bands and patrons, i love it. it's a escape
from the younger crowd, and you get a chance
to hear some good music. eli i went to a club
called GINO'S like that and i had a ball.
there was a guy there that played guitar
sounded just like jimmi hendrix and a
singer lattimore if you closed your eyes you
would swear it was wilson picket.and by the way
he came over to the table and sung to us. i'm
still blushing

By Frankm (81.152.61.29) on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 07:19 pm:

Bobby,

boost it as a Motown/Phily sixties/ seventies night. Get a radio DJ with a bit of a following in. Emphasise the friendly good time and safe atmosphere enjoyed at UK nights, stress the wide age range, say it is a bi of a dress up night, play known stuff with a bit of the lesser known, recruit them int the "club" by getting their e mail addresses, hit the local press beforehand and the best of luck.

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 07:44 pm:

RD:
I would love to hear more about your idea regarding a chain of clubs catering the classics. I've been to nightclubs that cater to the older audiences in Chicago, Detroit and here in the Big Apple and the response is very enthusiastic.

If you like you may email me at kevingoins@juno.com. I'll be out of town until Monday so I'll try to respond to you while I'm on the road.

Bobby:
I say go ahead and do it. You know how successful Felix Hernandez has been over the past fifteen years with his classic soul dances here in NYC so for you to put one together should be a no-brainer. I would love to help you with this project. I'll contact you Monday.

Kevin Goins - KevGo

By Eli (68.236.53.71) on Friday, March 19, 2004 - 12:45 am:

Hi Folks,
Thanks for all of the positive input!

I will most certaily push for it.

Most of the "backer types" of the "paulie" persuasion, capice??$%^& just 'dont get it' and think that I am talking about a typical oldies place, so I have to use some steamroller tactics, so hopefully someone will bite.

I would love to "import" a genuine British dj.

The radio show thing is basically up to me for I will be buying the time, at least initially.
maybe Ill get "Tony's Pizza" ,capice$%^&* for a sponsor, eh??

By Andy Alonzo (69.54.205.200) on Friday, March 19, 2004 - 01:28 am:

Eli, If you open a club put us on the list for entertainment, We would love to work with you. Andy Alonzo (The Shades of Blue)andyalonzo@hotmail.com

By Dayo (81.134.214.146) on Friday, March 19, 2004 - 02:48 am:

Bobby

Maybe you can test it first by holding a weekly event at another venue?

And if your radio show ever needs some voice idents I'd be happy to donate some time.

Colin (Voice of Caution) Dayo
lol

By GrahamD (62.254.0.32) on Friday, March 19, 2004 - 03:39 am:

It would be nice if someone started to write music in a form that wouldnt copy the Northern and Motown music but create a new sound that has that Driving pace that we all love! the electronic sound of the 80s that Ian Lavine used dont rock my boat!! All the top sounds that are played on the Northern Scene over here in the Uk are 99.9% from th 60s or the 70s plus the odd bits from the later years!and hearing NEW OLDIES is getting harder by the week!!

By Dayo (81.134.214.146) on Friday, March 19, 2004 - 03:45 am:

Graham D - Drop me a note to colinday@btconnect.com. I want to run something past you.

By GrahamD (62.254.0.32) on Friday, March 19, 2004 - 07:05 am:

Ok Colin! check you mail. Graham.

By fayette (152.163.253.70) on Friday, March 19, 2004 - 08:53 am:

eli now you talking(pizza) i think i got italian
in me somewhere lol.

By Mark Speck (199.183.75.200) on Friday, March 19, 2004 - 03:23 pm:

Hey Bobby, I like this idea!

Best,

Mark

By Mike Sku (64.9.11.62) on Friday, March 19, 2004 - 03:35 pm:

I live in Philly, but I have never been a regular club-goer. However, a Northern Soul type of atmosphere might be something I'd check out, depending on where it is located. Delaware Avenue would not be the place for it, in my opinion....far too many venues there.

By MEL&THEN SOM (217.43.74.92) on Friday, March 19, 2004 - 04:56 pm:

Bobby
the uk all-night mafia are with ya 100%

mel the don

By bigdaddyg2k4 (205.138.54.218) on Friday, March 19, 2004 - 05:33 pm:

There are several clubs here in the south (particularly in the mid-Atlantic area of the east) that have what we call "35 & older" clubs that cater to the people of that age group and the music of the 50s-80s classic soul genre. But unfortunately, these are also "hole-in-the-wall" establishments that are less than attractive facilities and conditions. Around 1992-93, I went to this club in Virginia Beach, VA (of which name that escapes me now) that was a very nice club. It was the kind of club where people dressed to the nines on a Friday or Saturday night, pay the small cover charge (usually $5-15), and just dance the night away. Another good thing about that club was when the 3:00-4:00am hour arrived, the club staff would set up a breakfast buffet for the patrons (just your usual b'fast fare: bacon, eggs, sausage, etc.) and everybody would take advantage of the free buffet and just enjoy the rest of the night. Nobody younger than 21 was allowed inside, and they played all the classic songs. I believe that's what a classic club should be, where mature people dressing nice, come to socialize, dance and mingle without all of the hassle and drama of the younger crowd clubs where people fight and get shot up all the time. When it's time for me to get back to clubbing (strip clubs included too!) that will be my next destination. I know I will have a good time for sure!

By Eli (68.236.53.71) on Saturday, March 20, 2004 - 03:27 am:

Hi Mike,

Definitely not Del Ave.
Possibly an old church, but its got to be in the right area thats conducive to the vibe.
Its early days, so its anybody's guess right about now.

By DyvaNaye (64.12.96.102) on Sunday, March 21, 2004 - 01:28 am:

Bobby Eli -

Could You E-mail me please?
Thanks
DyvaNaye