By Dave Fleming (62.253.128.5) on Friday, May 09, 2003 - 02:42 pm:

I was sorting through some things today,and came across some photos and old Northern Soul membership cards from 20 odd years ago,i thought i would send in this photo of Wigan Casino so our American friends could see where some of the great detroit 45s were played,and where some of us spent many a happy hour in our youth,this photo is from around 1975/76.

Dave f........

By John Lester (213.123.147.84) on Saturday, May 10, 2003 - 05:56 am:

Dave F

Am I right in thinking that it will be 30 years this August?

Are there any celebration plans in the making...

By Carl Dixon London (195.153.219.170) on Saturday, May 10, 2003 - 06:16 am:

Nice Photo Dave - sums up the era nicely.

I never got there myself, but I knew a few that did. They travelled from Hull around 2230hrs to arrive there for the night session. The next night they would tell us about the dances and acrobatics they saw plus the records they had never heard before. They were in awe of what they heard and saw at the Casino. They then tried to emulate the dances on the very large floor at Bailey's, early evening, when hardly anybody was there, checking their steps and co-ordination. Talcum powder was never used in Hull, but the wide trousers and flat shoes for the dancers were obligatory, even though platforms were the fashion at the time. It is also amazing how many celebrities visited the Casino at times, even though these days, they seem not to speak about it too much. I wish I had gone, but I did not drive and was unaware of the phenomena of Northern Soul then, as we know it today. It was early days, but there was a buzz about finding the rare records in Hull, in the various outlets. I never did like the term Northern Soul, but I must admit it sums up exactly what was happening all those years ago.

By Soultwine (195.93.50.9) on Saturday, May 10, 2003 - 07:14 am:

Dave
your posting coincided with a letter forwarded on to me from an old college friend..In 1975/6 we (and sometimes also some "Townies") used to drive from Aberystwyth to Wigan in my old mini estate car usually leaving about 9pm saturday night (to allow for breakdowns!)trying to listen to soul tapes on the long journey on a portable radio cassette player(no in-car player in those days!).
On arrival we usually got crushed in the friendly but impatiently waiting crowd at the door.. all of us seemingly desperate to get in without missing a single record or moment of magic in being there ..
So many great memories...
Phil

By MEL&THEN SOME (212.159.52.26) on Saturday, May 10, 2003 - 07:36 am:

I Frequented the Casino from
73/79 and had some really great nights there.
one of the worst times I had was when I Walked home all the way to Ormskirk.
The week-end would start and we would go to the Blackpool Mecca then on to the casino and finish with an all-dayer on the sunday.
Some truly great times and great characters in those days.
If only it was still the same today.
mel(looking back at the good old days).

By Dave Fleming (62.253.128.5) on Saturday, May 10, 2003 - 10:16 am:

Yes guys some great memories from them days,it all must seem alien to our US friends :-),
and all these years on and were still doing it.
Dave f...........

By Carl Dixon London (195.153.219.170) on Saturday, May 10, 2003 - 11:21 am:

I wonder if our American friends have seen the northern shuffle dance? Again, unique to this genre of music, and amazingly intricate. Not so many do the acrobatics, which to be honest, was 'above my head' most of the time.

By MEL&THENSOME (217.14.178.98) on Saturday, May 10, 2003 - 12:31 pm:

Dave,
just a quick note incase you havent read the other thread we spoke on,
regards that Thompson brothers 45
you were right mate,I double checked it and it is now no longer on my lists.
How it got there I do not know.
I Have my frather dubious reputation to think of you know.(hee,hee).
cheers mate,
and if I ever(god forbid)
come across one
will let you know.
mel(mr.60's&4 beats to the bar kid).

By MEL&THEN SOME (217.14.178.98) on Saturday, May 10, 2003 - 12:32 pm:

P.S.
My rather dubious reputation that should read.
mel.

By ChrisG (195.93.50.9) on Tuesday, May 13, 2003 - 01:55 pm:

John Lester

The official Wigan Casino 30th Anniversary. The Nighter is being held at the Kings Hall in Stoke On Trent on Saturday 20th September 2003

By Ade (62.6.242.178) on Thursday, June 05, 2003 - 11:26 pm:

Hallo everybody

I'll be at Stoke for the anniversary.

Baggies and all

(and I don't mean West Bromwich albion !!!)

Carl - do you fancy a trip down memory lane or what?

By doowopsvoice (198.81.26.231) on Friday, June 06, 2003 - 02:54 am:

Saw where someone commented on the intricacy of the dance steps on Northern Soul floors and thought you may be interested in the fact that a full fledged weekender (3 days of allnighters)is planned for a venue in Hollywood, California March 16th - 18th, 2004. 400 authentic dancers are already paid and booked to come from across the pond. We will finally get to experience it all first hand. If you are interested go to www.togethernessonline.com and find out more about it.

By STUBASS (205.188.209.109) on Friday, June 06, 2003 - 03:08 am:

MAN!!!...YOU GUYS WERE *CRAZY* OVER THERE!!!...I HAVE A FAMILY BRANCH IN THE LONDON AREA...AND A CERTAIN COUSIN TOLD ME ABOUT THESE GIGS WHEN I MET HIM BACK IN THE 70'S!!!,,,I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THE HELL HE WAS TALKING ABOUT...BUT I GUESS YOU FOLKS WERE HAVING A BUNCH OF FUN!!!...RIGHT ON!!!...STU(AMERICAN)BASED

By STUBASS (205.188.209.109) on Friday, June 06, 2003 - 03:09 am:

MEL: DAMN!!!...THAT MUST HAVE BEEN A *LONG* WALK HOME!!!...STU

By tricky (213.122.127.130) on Friday, June 06, 2003 - 03:28 am:

i must be getting old.a massive queue to get in,same again to get in mr m,s when you were already inside.cant,get on the dance floor,can,t get off the dance floor.paddling through the toilets.goo droppng on you from the ceiling when browsing through the records.atmosphere!i would,nt have missed it for anything.

By Ritchie (62.254.0.9) on Friday, June 06, 2003 - 03:53 am:

In early 2001, a guy contacted me and asked if I could transfer a tape onto CD for him. When it arrived, I was fascinated to see that it was a recording of Richard Searling and Neil Rushton at the Casino in 1979. Though it's not exactly state-of-the-art quality wise, it's a little time-capsule, and certainly seems to capture the hot and steamy atmosphere in the club. Needless to say, I kept a copy for myself.

If anyone's interested, I'll post the track-listing, (complete with cover-up names as announced, and the genuine artist credits where I've been able to find them.)

By melandthensome (217.14.178.7) on Friday, June 06, 2003 - 05:31 am:

Stu,
my feet still hurt,
Ritchie,
I have some good tapes from Wigan with Jackie Wilson live,another at a normal 2 til 8 all-nighter sound great.
Others I have are
The Blackpool Mecca-1972.
The Torch-1972.
catacombs-1973/4?
Top Rank,Hanley with Millie Jackson and Oscar Toney Live-1972/3.
Morecambe pier-1984.
Top of The World,Stafford-1987.

Would love a tape from the Wheel if any one knows of anyone with any info on how to get one.
shuffling out-a-here
twinkle-toes Mel.

By Ritchie (62.254.0.9) on Friday, June 06, 2003 - 09:41 am:

Mel -

I might have guessed your copious collection would eclipse my little 'discovery' ;o)
Sounds great! I used to have that Jackie Wilson tape too, till someone borrowed it - permanently :0(

By Carl Dixon London (195.153.219.170) on Friday, June 06, 2003 - 03:22 pm:

Ade - I cannot make it. Have a good time and don't forget to listen out for Jackie Wilson, as I have just now, as I purchased a double cd called 'The story of Brunswick' yesterday. Kev, what do you know about that one? Was that the CD you suggested to Mr. Magic, for The who who song?

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Friday, June 06, 2003 - 03:42 pm:

Carl:
If "The Story Of Brunswick" is the 2 CD set that's in a cinnamon-red cover with sketchings of the artists, this collection was issued by Union Square Music, formerly known as Charly Records.

I would be curious to see who issued the license to Charly/Union Square since this company had released Brunswick recordings without permission from BRC USA. Crimson/Edsel handled BRC's licensing/sublicensing for the UK and abroad but the only company they sublicensed BRC masters to was West Side (formerly known as Sequel).

The collection I'm sending to Mr. Magic is "The Brunswick Years Vol. 1" which the label released in 1995. It's a two-CD set featuring hits, album tracks and b-sides. "The Who Who Song" is on the CD as well as Jackie's "My Heart Is Calling", the Artistics' "I'm Gonna Miss You" and "Yesterday's Girl", Billy Butler's "Burning Touch Of Love" and the Chi-lites' "Oh Girl", "For God's Sake Give More Power To The People" and "Living In The Footsteps Of Another Man."

Kevin Goins - KevGo

By Carl Dixon London (195.153.219.170) on Friday, June 06, 2003 - 03:48 pm:

Kev - that's the one! It is called 'metro doubles'a unions square production.

By Ritchie (62.254.0.9) on Friday, June 06, 2003 - 03:53 pm:

Ah, Kevin - if Metro Music are indeed Charly in disguise, that answers your question in one. As they've proved time and time again, Charly do rather have a habit of forgetting the niceties of reissuing other people's material. You know, little things like remembering to license it first....

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Friday, June 06, 2003 - 04:02 pm:

Ritchie:
That's why I said I'd be curious to see where they licensed the material from. If Metro/Union Square/Charly licensed it from Crimson Productions, Enterprise Entertainment or Celebrity Licensing (who all represent Brunswick Record Corp. USA) then it's legit. If they didn't, Metro will be in big trouble.

Kevin Goins - KevGo

By MEL&THEN SOME (217.14.178.5) on Friday, June 06, 2003 - 04:03 pm:

Kev,
did you get those pics recently?
mel.

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Friday, June 06, 2003 - 04:04 pm:

Mel:
Yes I did! Thanks so very much!
Kevin Goins - KevGo

By Ritchie (62.254.0.9) on Friday, June 06, 2003 - 04:14 pm:

Kev -

According to the inlay "All tracks licensed from Brunswick International" (it says here....)

Page link on the label's website:
http://www.unionsquaremusic.co.uk/title.php?ALBUM_ID=258&LABEL_ID=7

By Davie Gordon (193.122.21.42) on Friday, June 06, 2003 - 04:27 pm:

Ritchie,

Thanks a lot for that link - there's quite a few
people interested in contacting them.

Davie

By Ritchie (62.254.0.9) on Friday, June 06, 2003 - 04:38 pm:

No problem. Check out this page on the site for all the contact details:
http://www.unionsquaremusic.co.uk/contact.htm

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Friday, June 06, 2003 - 06:00 pm:

Ritchie:
Thanks for the link and the information.

As a reissue producer for Brunswick Record Corporation here in the USA, I can say with conviction that "Brunswick International" is NOT affiliated with the Brunswick Record Corporation here in the USA, nor has anyone from BRC USA authorized any company overseas to operate under such auspices. I have alerted Paul Tarnopol of this collection as well as Union Square Music, who in turn will be dealing with this company through legal representatives.

To my Soulful Detroit brothers & sisters here & abroad - I ask you to PLEASE only purchase Brunswick product that has been issued by Edsel/Crimson UK, EMI-Capitol USA, West Side UK, Brunswick Record Corporation USA and any compilation issued via Universal Music, BMG or Sony. Folks like Charly & Union Square Music reissue music and do NOT pay into royalties that benefit the artists. Brunswick Record Corporation USA and any company who have done legit biz with BRC USA do pay royalties to the artists.

If there are any BRC USA recordings you would like to see reissued, PLEASE let me know. I always make my email address available to you folks (kevingoins@juno.com) and I consult with BRC USA on a weekly basis.

I thank you for the information and your support always.

Regards,
Kevin Goins - KevGo

By Ade (212.240.250.99) on Saturday, June 21, 2003 - 12:08 am:

Carl

Theres an alternative date. August Bank Holiday at manchester ritz will be a Wigan oldies Ritz special with all the usual suspects.

How are you fixed

And David, don't forget that I expect to see you at the Twisted Wheel in the near future. I've been to the last two and its great. brian phillips was there, and phil Saxe was behind the decks for a stint.

get your brogues polished mate

By David Meikle (62.252.128.6) on Saturday, June 21, 2003 - 06:08 am:

Give me dates in July/August Ade and we'll be there.

Thanks
David

By Dennis Coffey (152.163.252.68) on Saturday, June 21, 2003 - 07:22 am:

Hi everyone. I attended and performed at the weekender in Cleethorps last year. What a blast! I also went to a small club in London that was playing Northern Soul music. You folks really know how to party. Those nine days I spent in the UK were one of the highlights of my career.

By David Meikle (62.252.128.6) on Sunday, June 22, 2003 - 01:59 pm:

Dennis

Great to hear you enjoyed the scene so much.

David

By Dennis Coffey (64.12.97.7) on Sunday, June 22, 2003 - 08:25 pm:

Hi David. Everyone was so friendly and knowledgable about the music. I really felt at home.

By acooolcat (61.58.180.217) on Tuesday, July 01, 2003 - 10:39 am:

I just saw this online...

http://www.guardian.co.uk/arts/features/story/0,11710,988395,00.html

Graham

By Ritchie (62.254.0.9) on Tuesday, July 01, 2003 - 10:57 am:

Great review! Now please excuse me - I'm off to start writing some more revisionist history, which hopefully I can sell to Channel Four.

Can't give away any secrets, but it tells how groundbreaking London pioneeers like the Dave Clark Five inspired provincial copyists such as the Beatles and Gerry Marsden ;o)

By Carl Dixon London (62.31.40.155) on Tuesday, July 01, 2003 - 12:18 pm:

Nice find Graham! A well-written article. I must admit, after watching the first episode, I gave up on the rest. I love music and the trivia that goes with it, but I like the facts. It must be difficult to get a budget for such a programme and I am pleased there was this effort, but again, I like interesting trivia related to the music and not a 'them and us� story. The programme lacked good research, which we are all familiar with here on SoulfulDetroit. To trivialise American soul music, which I think it did, and not to mention in the first episode Philly or Detroit influences had me stumped! The Real Thing, who I saw on Opportunity Knocks, in the 60's were copying the great Detroit groups with their style and presentation and went on to be great stars of the disco era. Without that American influence can you imagine where we would be!