By David Meikle (81.130.211.124) on Thursday, June 26, 2003 - 07:06 am:

Thank you Woody for mentioning that I should apologise to the forum.

I apologise profusely for my ridiculous and completely inappropriate behaviour over the last few days.

In particular I apologise to Vandelron for making a snide remark. I hope that V reads this and comes back to the forum asap.

Also to Kevin who got it in the neck too.

And to John Barry.

And to Sue Whittall.

I have done this before and it is ludicrous that it has happened again.

I don't deserve any "welcome backs", so please don't do that.

apologies
David

By David Meikle (81.130.211.124) on Thursday, June 26, 2003 - 07:13 am:

I must also apologise to RD, Scratcher and Stingbeelee who were also on the receiving end of some appaling posts.

My language was also outrageous.

I'm sorry if I've missed anyone else. I will be happy to add more if prompted.

David

What a mess.

By John Barry Sheffield (195.92.168.168) on Thursday, June 26, 2003 - 08:34 am:

Hi David

The Music is what is most important - emjoy - we will never all agree 100%

John

By Ralph (209.240.198.62) on Thursday, June 26, 2003 - 09:41 am:

David,
We've become friends these past couple of years. It's a friendship I covet. I've also gotten to know you quite well. You're a big Scottish version of Mount Vesuvious. When the pressures get to you ( and I'm sure there are many, running this web-site ) you need to erupt. After that your fine for a while. It's what makes you unique. I wouldn't change a thing about you David. You're loved and respected here. Welcome home.

Ralph

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Thursday, June 26, 2003 - 10:51 am:

David:
You know how I feel, amigo. We soul brothers stick together no matter what.
Kevin Goins - KevGo

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Thursday, June 26, 2003 - 10:52 am:

Now, can we get back to the music, please?
Kevin Goins - KevGo

By stranger56 (24.47.50.195) on Thursday, June 26, 2003 - 11:55 am:

David, I know it's easy for me to say, not having been involved in the recent discussions in question, but I know how frustrating it can be to do what you do. Having been the creator and moderator of a Four Tops forum for some years (albeit on a much smaller scale than this forum) there were times when the frustration got to me and I was, shall we say, less than professional. I think the good people who post in this forum recognize the job you do here, and understand that there are times when the pressures can get to you.
There are many, many great people on this site, and though I read much more than I post here, I've come to know a lot of them through their postings. KevGo, StuBass, SisDetroit, Sue and so many more are very passionate about this music, as you are, and, although, as a "white boy from the South Bronx", I feel I'm knowledgeable in the subject of Motown music and Soul in general, I marvel at the knowledge of yourself and these people. And John Barry is my ace from the Tops forum (hey, Jay!). He's as passionate a Four Tops fan as they come and he's a great guy, as I'm sure you all know, and very knowledgeable also. What I'm trying to say here is that you have a wonderful thing going, and people need to recognize what you do. Sure, it's tough sometimes to hear a dissenting opinion, but I learned that if I'm going to have a forum, I have to let the dissenters speak also, but by the same token, as moderator, you also have the right to speak your peace.
I think it shows what you're made of, for you to stand up and apologize to this forum and to certain members directly. It is now time for the forum, and these members to stand up and accept your apology (as they have done here), and to understand that being a moderator doesn't mean you're not human. You should be held to the same standards and be allowed to make mistakes, like any other human. God bless all here, and David, keep doing what you do, because without you there would BE no Soulful Detroit Forum.
Sorry I took up so much of your time.

Stranger( Jim )

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Thursday, June 26, 2003 - 11:59 am:

Jim:
Thank you and no apologies needed.
Kevin Goins - KevGo

By Vonnie (67.40.203.32) on Thursday, June 26, 2003 - 12:02 pm:

Dear David,

As I stated in another post, we are all indebted to you and Lowell for conceiving this wonderful and informative site. If it was not for you David, I would have no knowledge of Northern Soul,I thank you so very much.

All is over all is forgotten, the family regroups and hugs each other.((((()))))

Vonnie

By STUBASS (205.188.209.109) on Thursday, June 26, 2003 - 12:07 pm:

WELL SAID JIM!!!...IT DOES TAKE A *BIG* MAN TO ADMIT TO LESS THAN IDEAL BEHAVIOR (SOME OF OUR POLITICIANS COULD LEARN SOMETHING HERE)...AND I'M SURE THAT WE *ALL* FROM TIME TO TIME...MAKE STATEMENTS THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER LEFT UNSAID!!!...DAVID HAS DISPLAYED AN OPEN MIND...TO...ONCE THE FIRE DIED DOWN...REFLECT ON THE SITUATION...AND MAKE AMENDS TO THOSE WHO DESERVED IT!!!...AS I SEE IT...JUST ANOTHER DAY AT SOULFULDETROIT.COM...THAT BEING SAID...THANKS TO EVERYONE FOR DISPLAYING THE MATURITY THAT I'M SURE IT TAKES TO HOLD THIS THING TOGETHER!!!...STUBASS

By Eddie Welk, Champagne Music Drinker (12.47.224.12) on Thursday, June 26, 2003 - 12:24 pm:

David, as time marches on and Alzheimer's begins to flex its muscles, this incident too shall pass.
Just remember to wear your kilt proudly and pass the Haggis!
But don't run around flashing people anymore!

By Livonia Ken (136.2.1.153) on Thursday, June 26, 2003 - 12:40 pm:

Way to be a man about it, David, and thanks for your part in providing this forum. Also, in the grand spirit of "when life gives you lemons, make lemonade", I've been listening to "Cellarful..." and a handful of Northern Soul compilation CDs in my car for the past few days and enjoying the H-E-double hockey sticks out of them.

Regards,
Ken

By MEL&THEN SOME9 (217.14.178.20) on Thursday, June 26, 2003 - 12:43 pm:

Way to go David
and one and all.
this forum is unique(andthensome)
mel

By John Barry Sheffield (195.92.168.163) on Thursday, June 26, 2003 - 01:49 pm:

Good to hear from You Stranger56, a comment like that from Yourself, means a lot to me, but I am just an L Plate Learner concerning THE FOUR TOPS when I look up to people like YOURSELF and other Members of FOUR TOPS FOREVER!

The True Friends that I met on FOREVER and on DETROUT FORUM are all so special and bring it home that the message is in THE MUSIC!

Thanks - John

By David Meikle (62.252.128.6) on Thursday, June 26, 2003 - 01:58 pm:

Thanks Stranger56 for sharing your experiences of webbing.

It also reminded me that I owe an apology, again, to Ralph for head-butting my way into something that he does so well.....moderating.

Thanks Ralph

and thanks to everyone else on this thread.

By A Discerning Eye (171.75.81.54) on Thursday, June 26, 2003 - 02:16 pm:

Good words on the indebtedness to this sight,now let's get the financial support happening here.

By Ralph (209.240.198.62) on Thursday, June 26, 2003 - 02:28 pm:

No apology necessary David.

By B. Foster (209.219.207.3) on Thursday, June 26, 2003 - 02:44 pm:

I see that David Meikle has apologized to everyone he took umbrage with the other night, with the notable exception of the imaginary members of the forum. I am hurt and dismayed by this oversight - yet another example of the poor treatment afforded the nonexistent by the Soulful Detroit community. David had the temerity to accuse us of being nothing more than cowardly anonymous posters, when in fact, we are complex hallucinations and figments of our own imaginations (this is very complicated, please don't ask me to explain). As FDR once thought about saying, "a nation shall not be judged by how it treats its richest, or its poorest, but by how it protects the rights of those who don't even exist".

In the interest of moving forward, I will accept David's blanket apology on behalf of the "very silent" minority. However, I urge you all to be more sensitive to those of us who don't exist. After all, we aren't people too?

By stephanie (64.63.221.20) on Thursday, June 26, 2003 - 02:54 pm:

David
Is there anything we can do to help promote the
Northern Soul Movement here in America? Sid Barnes asked me at one time if I would be interested in heading up a fan club here in America for him and I dont know if he is still interested but I would be honored to do this if he is still interested in me doing it and getting him some small club dates and things like that...
Please let me know>>
Stephanie

By David Meikle (62.252.128.6) on Thursday, June 26, 2003 - 03:15 pm:

I apologise to the silent minority too.

It is a fact that I have had a few problems with anonymous posters.

I am extremely wary of them and even resorted to removing my address from the site after about 6 months.

There are many problems associated with operating this...risks too. Lawyers etc. I have been threatened with the visitations from the FBI, Black Panthers. It might seem funny but it wears you down.

Frustrations at seeing images from the site in magazines, on cd's, on other websites....all without permission.

Spending hundreds of hours puttinhg together the Golden World story. Trying to get it perfect, then receive a grotesque e-mail about it's authenticity.

These are not all the problems relating to the site.

We also take risks photographing every square mile of the city of Detroit. Although this has worked out ok sometimes it leaves me wondering why the hell I do it.

Just like I'm thinking this week.

I have also been attending the doctor for many years for treatment for Depression and anger management. I have also had psycholgist counselling on how to get on with people. As you can see it hasn't worked. But I am trying so very hard to get fixed.

Again apologies to everyone I have upset.

sincerely
David

By Vonnie (67.40.203.32) on Thursday, June 26, 2003 - 03:42 pm:

David,

We empathize with your situation, but don't forget we are all here for you. We are family and we all suffer from being human.

Vonnie

By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Thursday, June 26, 2003 - 03:54 pm:

Hello DMeikle. I don't see too many men big enough to apologize for having been too harsh with someone. That took courage.

For the Soulful Detroits who have not suffered depression please raise your hand. (Looking around the world for hands.) I don't see any hands raised, so I guess we're all in the same club. Dealing with the topics, cultural personalities, and opinions, can sometimes get to us, even if it's regarding just music.

There is no need to apologize for being human. It's great though for you to have apologize to those who were offended by your remarks.

(Listen to Sam Cooke's song and see if you can understand what the lyrics.)

Regards, Sis

By Ralph (209.240.198.62) on Thursday, June 26, 2003 - 03:58 pm:

David,
One of these days you and I are destined to sit in a pub someplace. Together we will right all the wrongs of the world as we see them amd have a pretty damn good conversation to boot.

By MEL&THEN SOME (217.14.178.17) on Thursday, June 26, 2003 - 04:01 pm:

Right on Sis.
mel.

By Common (209.2.55.169) on Thursday, June 26, 2003 - 04:37 pm:

David, if you read this, you have mail.

Peace!

By LG Nilsson (213.89.29.129) on Thursday, June 26, 2003 - 05:15 pm:

David,

I was very happy when I first found this forum. I also found some of my old soul friends here from many years ago. That was really cool. I know it can be really hard to have an open forum like this. We closed down our forum at the radio station here in Sweden about a year ago, too much junk stuff� This is one of the best forums on the web with tons of information and lots of interesting posters. Thanks David for keeping up the good work.

I have two scans for you and all other soul mates here too put on the wall and look at when you/we feel depressed and overworked�





� this is what it�s all about.

Detroit soul forever

Lars

By David Meikle (62.252.128.6) on Thursday, June 26, 2003 - 05:29 pm:

Thanks for sharing your passion Lars.

By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Thursday, June 26, 2003 - 05:48 pm:

That was great Lars.

By cl (207.75.178.214) on Thursday, June 26, 2003 - 06:29 pm:

David, as aomeone above on the thread said the music is the thing!

As I read the initial post on this thread I was reminded of when we met her in Ann Arbor one block from where I grew up which incidentally was one block from Ollie McGlaughlins house!

Your passion was inspiring,to seek out the people and the musicians and the promoters.......and then to help create a forum where the people involved and us fans can communicate..............WOW!

David, at the risk of sounding phony or sentimental I wouls offer one hopefully modest thought:Keep it simple!!!

When things seem convoluted or nasty simplify and remember what got us here; the music and your incredible affection for it.

By David Meikle (62.252.128.6) on Thursday, June 26, 2003 - 06:36 pm:

CL

I really enjoyed meeting you outside Ollie's former home in Ann Arbor.

I too remember YOUR passion for Detroit.

Something that folks on the Fab Ruins site failed to understand.

Did you hear about the show you missed in the public library?

Nice to hear from you again and thanks for your thoughts.

David

By fayette (64.12.97.7) on Thursday, June 26, 2003 - 06:38 pm:

my goodness i never seen this much love
since the brady bunch was cancelled.david
you needed in this forum.(wish i had a
dollar for every apology we've had in here)

By David Meikle (62.252.128.6) on Thursday, June 26, 2003 - 06:41 pm:

All we need is for Vandelron to return.

Thanks Fayette.

By Uptight (24.55.6.144) on Thursday, June 26, 2003 - 10:40 pm:

Whew! What a relief. I'm glad to see we are all at peace again. Everyone, check out the "SUPPORT US" link at the top of this page once in a while.

btw: Lars' scans are a nice addition to this thread. Sweet..!

-Christopher

By Jim Feliciano in Detroit. (205.188.209.109) on Thursday, June 26, 2003 - 11:23 pm:

David,
It has been said that an angry man, is again angry with himself when he returns to reason....

Surely, we are are not without fault, but as Benjamin Franklin once said, "a benevolent man should allow a few faults in himself, to keep his friends in countenance."

David, you have shown us that truly, you are simply a man of 'good' character, shown with a redemptive spirit over the 'human' side... all of that in which we have been guilty of, many, many times, as well!

DM, may the Good Lord above bless you for this wonderful 'site', here... and all that, of which you have given back to us.

So let us remember always-- love conquers all.

By Soul Sister (68.73.167.246) on Thursday, June 26, 2003 - 11:38 pm:

Jim;
How right you are, LOVE is the key word! AMEN.
S.S.

By Millie (68.40.209.129) on Friday, June 27, 2003 - 08:06 pm:

Hi David,
I haven't been on the forum for awhile so I really don't know what's going on here. All I know for sure is that you are a gentleman who is warm, caring, nurturing, and a real friend. If anything, you're probably too sensitive...and personally, I don't see anything wrong with that...then again, I'm a woman! This forum is your love child and everyone who visits here should show some respect.

By Ralph (209.240.198.62) on Friday, June 27, 2003 - 08:17 pm:

Hey Lil Sista,
Good letter. And where in the hell have you been??? Is it time to start another " ASK MILLIE " thread?
Yer Bro

By Millie (68.40.209.129) on Saturday, June 28, 2003 - 03:52 pm:

Thanks Bro!
I'd love to see another "Ask Millie" thread, but since Alzheimer's has set in, I couldn't answer any of the damn questions anyway so what's the point??
I've been busy...I bought a house which has taken up most of my time. I'll be moved in by next weekend! Also, Dennis and I have been searching all over the city for some good jazz clubs. He's really focused on playing somewhere which I think he should have been doing a long time ago.
What's been happening with you? How's the music thing coming along? Glad to see you and Gil talking on the forum...I was surprised to see Rod on here too, not to mention Pete! WOW...let's go eat at the Lamplighter on 8 Mile and Southfield!!!!

By John Lester (217.40.234.9) on Saturday, June 28, 2003 - 04:19 pm:

Can we all come along to the Lamplighter, Millie?

That reminds me, I still owe Ralph two beers from 18 months ago!

By Ralph (209.240.198.62) on Saturday, June 28, 2003 - 04:35 pm:

And I'm getting thirstier John. OK..let's all go to the Lamplighter.

By Ade (62.6.242.178) on Sunday, June 29, 2003 - 03:21 pm:

david.

In the glasgow vernacular(sp)

Big man. You're a Big man. A bigger man than me. I respect your passion for this thing called "soulful detroit" so much, sometimes passion can get the blood up for the wrong reasons. good to hear that those who took a few knocks are also big enough to take them. like Gwen says. You're all "wanted and needed"

By Larry (68.164.128.83) on Monday, June 30, 2003 - 02:58 am:

Ade,

Very well said.

By Carl Dixon London (62.31.40.155) on Monday, June 30, 2003 - 06:03 am:

David - I have been away to Ralph�s old stomping ground! Italy, well, Pisa to be precise (thought I saw Paulie sunbathing next to the bell tower in the square). I have only just caught up on a little of this. After meeting you and laughing in the US at many things together, I have learnt so much from your convictions, that I too, have more dreams than ever to be now fulfilled. That leaning tower has seen many people come and go over the years and yet still has not toppled. When it does, there are many who will be there to rebuild and pick up the pieces. That starts when people realise something is too good to loose. You are that something, that drives a hidden force deep in others hearts. I am happy the way you are and am pleased to have been considered to accompany you and Harry to the States recently. It was an honour to be with you whilst you acquired the vital knowledge and information about your passion of Philadelphia, New York and Detroit music. I am a better person for meeting you.

Sis Detroit � Email me! I would like to send you a personal phootgraph.

Ade � remind me when and where your next all nighter (by email) is. I saw your post but have lost it.

By MEL&THEN SOME (217.14.178.123) on Monday, June 30, 2003 - 07:23 am:

Hey Carl
can you send me a photograph please
the local darts team needs a bit of practice
mel(ho ho)

By Carl Dixon London (62.31.40.155) on Monday, June 30, 2003 - 07:48 am:

Hi Mel! I may just do that! Ha ha ha.

By StingBeeLee (155.139.50.14) on Monday, June 30, 2003 - 01:45 pm:

David;
I did not take your posts personally, I understand your dedication to Norhtern Soul, without it, I probably would not have all the NS compilations that I have. And, I finally know where the "dividing wall" is in northwest Detroit, because of your Detroit site; I have heard people talk about it over the years (especially since I worked at Johnson Recreation Center, where the subject would come up from time to time). In fact, some of the guys in the 'hood had a three-on-three basketball tournament at Wells Park (where the wall is located) three years ago. No apologizes necessary!!!

By David Meikle (62.252.128.6) on Monday, June 30, 2003 - 02:05 pm:

Thanks to all who have responded to this issue.

David