Got a belated xmas gift from my new father in-law..

A book called Crackin Up by Maxwell Murray

Its says... Sex Drugs and Northern soul on the front cover, not sure what my new father in-law is saying like

On the inside page it starts..

"At the bottom of the road,i saw the Roman chariots sign above the entrance to the Golden Torch, in another few minutes i would be in there, i can't wait.. A rush of hot air, the smell of sweating bodies, cigarette smoke and various scents, some of them fragrant, hit me as i pushed through the glass doors.. Then a tingle of excitment raced up my spine- and it wasn't from the capsules i'd swallowed.. Decibels of raw energy were vibrating the air.. We paid our money over... 50p for members and 60p for guests... For 12 frantic hours of fantastic , foot stomping Northern Soul..

On the back cover.....

Kenny Roberts has achieved his first ambition, to own a Lambretta scooter... His next will prove trickier, he wants to score with the boss's daughter, Maureen, before his best mate, Floyd beats him to it.. Against a background of violence, casual sex and brushes with the law, Kenny finds himself drawn to the tantilising flame of the underground Northern soul scene.. All niters and illicit drugs provide an escape from the drudgery of his job, he risks losing everything, even his life, when he has a surprise encounter with an old adversary...

]" this books got everything, steamy sex, sweet soul music, speed fuelled dancing and a twist in the tale

Amazon reviews below...

FIRST CLASS STORY OF YOUTH

Absolutely brilliant..brought all the soulful memories flooding back. If you like Scooters, Skinheads, & Northern Soul, then buy this..It sums up the whole...

If you've seen Quadrophenia you've read this. Disappointing

On the whole I feel that the title promised more than the book delivered. If you've seen Quadrophenia then you don't need to read this book!

I couldn't put this book down..

I'd heard that Crackin Up was good - but once I started it I had to read to the end. The characters were so real to me and the ending - well ..... I hope there's another book to follow

I was involved in the northern soul boom years in my teenage years at Wigan casino. This book gave a good insight in the slightly earlier era of the Golden Torch which preceeded the casino a year earlier. The Torch seemed a more Mod's style club unlike the casino. But for readers who may have a interest in either the Northern soul scene or the UK's mod culture I found the book a good well written insight into it. Recomended for people with either interest or knowledge into either.

Any feedback from members, not heard of this before.... Sounds like a nice light read... will let you know..

think the book is about ten years old, I got it when it came out but I can't remember it, maybe time for a re-read. From what I remember it's not a 100% true account (bit of artistic license?) but a story based on his youth????

think the book is about ten years old, I got it when it came out but I can't remember it, maybe time for a re-read. From what I remember it's not a 100% true account (bit of artistic license?) but a story based on his youth????

Cheers Chalky

Will give it a read after Lydia's done with it...

He was on KTF, shame but can't remember his real name, met him a couple of times, last was at the KTF do in Llandudno in fact he's on that big photo of a crowd of us which I may have posted up.

The book is FANTASTIC but the ending is really poor, in fact I thought someone had removed the last page of my copy.

Yes its a 1999 publication.....

It says thanks to Mick Fitzpatrick for help and assistance Pete, does that help...

Cheers for feedback,maybe you had a page missing Pete ..

Yes its a 1999 publication.....

It says thanks to Mick Fitzpatrick for help and assistance Pete, does that help...

Cheers for feedback,maybe you had a page missing Pete ..

No, Mick Fitzpatrick ran the Night Owl site and was heavily involved in KTF. It was via Night Owl that the good majority of people got back into Northern Soul in the late 90's/early 2000's. Type in Northern Soul and that's where it would take you first.

Edited March 14, 201015 yr by Pete S

I used to sell these for him off the These Old Shoes web site.

Can't remember his name either, I think the emails are on my old laptop so might have a look and see if I can find out. Nice chap.

The book is a nice light read like you say.

He was on KTF, shame but can't remember his real name, met him a couple of times, last was at the KTF do in Llandudno in fact he's on that big photo of a crowd of us which I may have posted up.

The book is FANTASTIC but the ending is really poor, in fact I thought someone had removed the last page of my copy.

Brings back the good times but agree with you regards the ending

been trying to get hold of a copy for a while, never seems to be available... tips or loans anyone?

been trying to get hold of a copy for a while, never seems to be available... tips or loans anyone?

pm me yr details and ill send it to you

jason

google it as its there on the net

He was on KTF, shame but can't remember his real name, met him a couple of times, last was at the KTF do in Llandudno in fact he's on that big photo of a crowd of us which I may have posted up.

The book is FANTASTIC but the ending is really poor, in fact I thought someone had removed the last page of my copy.

Can't remember seeing that Pete! Was that 2001? Any chance you could post it up again?

Can't remember seeing that Pete! Was that 2001? Any chance you could post it up again?

Give me 10 minutes, I can't remember if this is the first or second year we did it, Pete & Alex from Australia are on this one and I think Karen Fisher came over from the States for it too

Edited March 15, 201015 yr by Pete S

OK I'm not great with names or memory, from the left,

standing, Alan ?, Jessica Wecker, don't know the name of the lad kneeling at the front, then Jo Wallace, I'm in front of her, then comes Alex, next to her, damn forgot his name, used to take photos all the time, worked for the police...

behind him, Pete, chap with his arm round Pete is Gary from Rotherham, next to him Gary Marnie, then Andy Humberston, the girl below Gary is or was his missus I think and the chap with the tache next to her is Gary Marnie's mate from Scotland.

Next to Andy H you can just about see Karen F, then Mick Fitzpatrick, Martin Thomson and the guy with the beard is "Maxwell Murray".

Kneeling in front of Mick is Paul TP. THink the lad next to him was local.

I may be wrong with several of these!

Edited March 15, 201015 yr by Pete S

Where did they park the "Sunny Smiles Coach"?

Where did they park the "Sunny Smiles Coach"?

On your foot hopefully

OK I'm not great with names or memory, from the left,

standing, Alan ?, Jessica Wecker, don't know the name of the lad kneeling at the front, then Jo Wallace, I'm in front of her, then comes Alex, next to her, damn forgot his name, used to take photos all the time, worked for the police...

behind him, Pete, chap with his arm round Pete is Gary from Rotherham, next to him Gary Marnie, then Andy Humberston, the girl below Gary is or was his missus I think and the chap with the tache next to her is Gary Marnie's mate from Scotland.

Next to Andy H you can just about see Karen F, then Mick Fitzpatrick, Martin Thomson and the guy with the beard is "Maxwell Murray".

Kneeling in front of Mick is Paul TP. THink the lad next to him was local.

I may be wrong with several of these!

Good Grief! I look like I've just poured my pint down my shirt! Still, won't be the first or last time

slightly earlier era of the Golden Torch which preceeded the casino a year earlier. The Torch seemed a more Mod's style club unlike the casino.

It may have seemed like that ,,,,but the Torch was no Mod Style club!!

Well in 1972-73 anyway!

Although short lived it was the Best All Nitier Ever so far for me,, ive never expecienced any thing like it since and ive been to most things that have followed since!!

I read this book when it came out to smashing lite read,

Nige B

I thought it was poor when i read it, if it's the one that reckoned he used to hide his gear in a pork pie (not the hat either). He also inferred certain types of pork pie were cooler than others.

I thought it was poor when i read it, if it's the one that reckoned he used to hide his gear in a pork pie (not the hat either). He also inferred certain types of pork pie were cooler than others.

He'd either taken too much gear or eaten too many Pork Pies

pm'd you Ady

Rob

Yes its a 1999 publication.....

It says thanks to Mick Fitzpatrick for help and assistance Pete, does that help...

Cheers for feedback,maybe you had a page missing Pete ..

Hey Mr Cato.......the author did a "signing" Keele nighter,here's my copy (original ha ha) see you in our country at the weekend?

John and Carys E

I thought it was poor when i read it, if it's the one that reckoned he used to hide his gear in a pork pie (not the hat either). He also inferred certain types of pork pie were cooler than others.

That was Pete McKenna's 'Nightshift'.... and the pies were Burtons if I remember correctly.