Top Rank Suite, Hanley, Soul On Trent

[Guest POTTERIESPECK]

ThIS WAS THE FIRST MAJOR SOUL VENUE I WENT TO AROUND 1973 -74 AS A 15 YEAR OLD . ID BEEN TO THE LOCAL YOUTH CLUBS AND HEARD MOST OF THE RUN OF MILL OF SOUL MUSIC THAT WAS BEEN PLAYED AND WAS ENCOURAGED BY MY ELDERS TO BROADEN MY HORIZIONS AND VENTURE UP TO THE TOP RANK WHICH WAS A INTERNATIONAL SOUL CLUB PROMOTION. THINK IT WAS A 16 HOUR SOUL FESTIVAL FROM 12 NOON TILL 04.00 AM AND MAJOR LANCE WAS APPEARING. FROM THEM I WAS HOOKED. ONLY BEING A YOUNG'EN THEN BUT WAS THE RANK A MAJOR VENUE IN THE COUNTRY IN THOSE DAYS.

[Davetay]

I used to run a coach to the Top Rank(suite) from Gloucester,in the wilderness times between the Torch closing and that other place further up north opening!

We used to alternate weekends Cats one week Hanley the next, the D´js alternated if i remember rightly? Sam, Andy Hanley, Minsh and to be honest i am not sure who else(Tony Jebb?)

Wasn´t Tina Turner on one time(nutbush city limits time)

strange to be in the upstairs room when so many normal divs also inside the building!!

Remember the all-dayer well people completely around the building waiting to get in, and Big/Little willie swigging a bottle of dr Collis Brown!!

Biggest sound at that particular ´dayer in my memory "THE JOKER" pretty sure this was probably the first event after Pep had his records stolen as all the record sales boxes were severely scrutinised!

great venue, personal sounds that i remeber(from Sam) Betty Jones-No more tears, fabulous downbeats-Life goes on,Aint that love enogh-Larry Atkins and"the one that they want at The Mecca but we´ve got it here!....Larue"

Steve

My only memories of The Top Rank Hanley....

Sam playing Bobby Treetop "Wait Til I Get To Know Ya"

J J Barnes being on at a All-Dayer

Silver Membership Card (still have it somewhere)

Looking at the photo it doesn't ring any bells, and I can't remember what it was like inside.

I do remember going down in Joe Sol,s Ford Cortina.

Joe was 3/4 years older than us, is younger brother Pete (now R.I.P.) was my age.

Joe was a City fan, and me & Pete both United.

Back than Joe used to give us loads of stick, cause City more often than not came out top on Derby Days.

Dave.

[Spook]

Happy Days !

I seem to recall going downstairs and 'Landslide' is always a tune that reminds me of there.

It was one of the few places I could buy the OOTP 45's along with the record shop in the arcade which was basically down past the side of

the Top Rank / old Radio Stoke opposite where Cartlidge curtains used to be (can't remember the name).

Remember Keith Minshall having a record shop in Hanley , I think it is where the main entrance to the Potteries Shopping Centre is opposite the Britannia

Building society.

david

[Agentsmith]

i remember my cousin sharon berry and her tribe going to top rank regularly whilst still at school, im pretty sure she saw major lance as she had a tape of that gig as well as all the tunes that were played including raving about the joker by the milestones which sam was hammering. she also used to go to the steam machine and tiffs, newcastle as well as the raven and beefeater at whitchurch, which were all going at the same time.

[Spook]

The 'Steam Machine' them bl**dy lights in the roof did my head in !!

Main memory of going there was 9 of us in Ford Anglia ' 7 Ladies' including Deruth Bonnel (Del) from Hodnet (moved to Crewe/ Belgium) and Anita Stolz (Market Drayton / Crewe)

Also used to go to Sams Friday nights at the Raven (Beefeater) and in later years Tiffs Newcastle (downstairs Sunday Nights).

David

[Guest audiavant]

ThIS WAS THE FIRST MAJOR SOUL VENUE I WENT TO AROUND 1973 -74 AS A 15 YEAR OLD . ID BEEN TO THE LOCAL YOUTH CLUBS AND HEARD MOST OF THE RUN OF MILL OF SOUL MUSIC THAT WAS BEEN PLAYED AND WAS ENCOURAGED BY MY ELDERS TO BROADEN MY HORIZIONS AND VENTURE UP TO THE TOP RANK WHICH WAS A INTERNATIONAL SOUL CLUB PROMOTION. THINK IT WAS A 16 HOUR SOUL FESTIVAL FROM 12 NOON TILL 04.00 AM AND MAJOR LANCE WAS APPEARING. FROM THEM I WAS HOOKED. ONLY BEING A YOUNG'EN THEN BUT WAS THE RANK A MAJOR VENUE IN THE COUNTRY IN THOSE DAYS.

Ay up owd!Think quite a few cut their teeth at "The Rank",moving around the country as cash and cars became more readily available!Remember getting the no6 bus home,with mosser(blurton),steve(hoss)robinson(dresden-s-o-t-not Germany ,before anyone comes in with a quip) and john munro,nogger(nudge) and lots of the Meir,Longton,Fenton crowd.Seems like a lifetime ago but when you hear the music it takes you to all the places you`ve been.Wasnt long after that we started "going up".

[Guest NASHEE]

Me and a few mates used to go up the Rank on Saturday mornings ....Wow...how un-cool is that

[Keithw]

yes used to go top rank

most of the Torch crowd used to go

johnny beggs--atlas--doris--crumb--jim bates--sam (that used to go out with Del ) terry rigby--micky moonshine

minch--tim ashibende--dave alcock rip--sedge--blondie---joe dunlop--girl i went out with called Terry from Alsager--ratty from stafford--spook--ric-tic--jethro--sammy from crewe

was a great place

keith m was still at bews wasnt he in Burslem ar had he left by then

bought joy lovejoy and johnny jones from there

Edited May 28, 2010 by keithw

[Jaco]

Didn't Levine have a brief stint there or am I imagining it?

[Vanda]

Me and a few mates used to go up the Rank on Saturday mornings ....Wow...how un-cool is that

I used to go to the Top Rank on a Saturday morning with my mates too, only because I wasn't old enough to get in at any other time, I thought I was pretty cool as I was only 12 years old, we were some of the up and coming Northern Soulies and I feel quite proud I was there

Edited May 28, 2010 by cherrylips

[Guest POTTERIESPECK]

yes used to go top rank

most of the Torch crowd used to go

johnny beggs--atlas--doris--crumb--jim bates--sam (that used to go out with Del ) terry rigby--micky moonshine

minch--tim ashibende--dave alcock rip--sedge--blondie---joe dunlop--girl i went out with called Terry from Alsager--ratty from stafford--spook--ric-tic--jethro--sammy from crewe

was a great place

keith m was still at bews wasnt he in Burslem ar had he left by then

bought joy lovejoy and johnny jones from there

I'd be suprised if Atlas,Crumb, Doris or Blondie went the Rank [ no offence -unless it was a Saturday morning show ]. In 1974 would imagine all the mentioned would still be of school age. I still see all but John [ BLONDIE ] knocking about know and then.

[Keithw]

maybe it was the tiffs all dayers then or the antelope,thought they were as old as me 55

[Guest Dave Turner]

Top Rank Hanley was my first major venue, just after the Torch shut late '73. Distinctly remember being in the queue and Jimmy Holiday "I'm Gonna Move To The City" was blasting out of someone's tape player. My first recollection of inside was this great big fat bloke in a black blazer with red piping to the edges which turned out to be Dave (The Mighty Bub) Buttle. I'm sure I can remember there was also a dwarf on the dance floor (am I right or is it just summat in my head?). Remember Minsh, Levine, Sam, Alan Day, Martyn Ellis, not sure about Curtis though.

Three or four of us wandering around Hanley and asked a copper for directions to somewhere or other. He asked my mate if he'd ever been to the Torch, "No, but I wish I had". Next thing we know two cop cars pull up and give us the third degree on the street, up against the wall, empty ya pockets out you little c-nt etc etc.

Edited May 28, 2010 by Dave Turner

[lizziep]

used to love the Top Rank as a bus ride away from Fenton and remember clearly being in a car with Andy Hanley, Tony Jebb and Ian Levine and my friend Jayne Steele tearing up the M6 about 10.30 so the DJs could finish the night in Blackpool Mecca. Another time I was chatting away with Dave Brennan and Mickey Colley and a partition fell on me dislocating my shoulder - got free entry to the Rank plus guest for the next year after threatening to sue the management!!! Think most people from Stoke and surrounding areas used to go, Bob McNicol, Phil Morgan, Kenny Proctor, Nogger, Paul Morris, Andrea and Janine Conti, Jed Skelley and the Newcastle lads and it was great to see people like Alex and Carole from newton le Willows. Anyone from Stoke remember the ABC Cinebowl? and the likes of Mickey Stubbs, Kevin Beardsley,Mickey Flynn - think Mickey Stubb's auntie used to work in the cafe there and we used to get free burgers and milkshakes - I used to skive off school when I was about 14/15 (1969-70)and hang out there with the boys!! This was what they turned into the Steam Machine!!!

[Guest frenchie]

My first dayer was at Top rank. Only got to go cos big bro Andrew was there!! Well that was what I told the parents cos I was only 13! Went to the dos at Market Drayton baths in 1973 hanging onto Andrews hand!, the start of many happy nights, days etc etc!!! Sooooooo many years ago...happy days.

[Guest julie s]

i remember my sister goin there and she said she was stayin at her friends house but my mum sussed her out and fetched her off the dancefloor and shamed her in front of all her friends parent ah wot are they like xx

[Ric-tic]

I'm sure I can remember there was also a dwarf on the dance floor (am I right or is it just summat in my head?).

[dthedrug]

ThIS WAS THE FIRST MAJOR SOUL VENUE I WENT TO AROUND 1973 -74 AS A 15 YEAR OLD . ID BEEN TO THE LOCAL YOUTH CLUBS AND HEARD MOST OF THE RUN OF MILL OF SOUL MUSIC THAT WAS BEEN PLAYED AND WAS ENCOURAGED BY MY ELDERS TO BROADEN MY HORIZIONS AND VENTURE UP TO THE TOP RANK WHICH WAS A INTERNATIONAL SOUL CLUB PROMOTION. THINK IT WAS A 16 HOUR SOUL FESTIVAL FROM 12 NOON TILL 04.00 AM AND MAJOR LANCE WAS APPEARING. FROM THEM I WAS HOOKED. ONLY BEING A YOUNG'EN THEN BUT WAS THE RANK A MAJOR VENUE IN THE COUNTRY IN THOSE DAYS.

:hatsoff2:HI ALL ONE OF THE BEST VENUES IIN THE TWIX OF THE TORCH CLOSEING AND WIGAN, BETTER THAN VAVA, thw MAJOR WAS BRILLIANT THE PEOPLE WERE HANGING OF THE STAGE CURTAINS, AS GOOD AS IT GETS:ph34r:DAVE

[Keithw]

My first dayer was at Top rank. Only got to go cos big bro Andrew was there!! Well that was what I told the parents cos I was only 13! Went to the dos at Market Drayton baths in 1973 hanging onto Andrews hand!, the start of many happy nights, days etc etc!!! Sooooooo many years ago...happy days.

so many years ago........................your not old P x x Edited May 29, 2010 by keithw

[Guest NASHEE]

yes used to go top rank

most of the Torch crowd used to go

johnny beggs--atlas--doris--crumb--jim bates--sam (that used to go out with Del ) terry rigby--micky moonshine

minch--tim ashibende--dave alcock rip--sedge--blondie---joe dunlop--girl i went out with called Terry from Alsager--ratty from stafford--spook--ric-tic--jethro--sammy from crewe

was a great place

keith m was still at bews wasnt he in Burslem ar had he left by then

bought joy lovejoy and johnny jones from there

Bloody Hell....Terry Rigby...not heard his name since I was 14

[Munchkin]

yes used to go top rank

most of the Torch crowd used to go

johnny beggs--atlas--doris--crumb--jim bates--sam (that used to go out with Del ) terry rigby--micky moonshine

minch--tim ashibende--dave alcock rip--sedge--blondie---joe dunlop--girl i went out with called Terry from Alsager--ratty from stafford--spook--ric-tic--jethro--sammy from crewe

was a great place

keith m was still at bews wasnt he in Burslem ar had he left by then

bought joy lovejoy and johnny jones from there

Not forgetting mick vickers Keith..........

[Munchkin]

maybe it was the tiffs all dayers then or the antelope,thought they were as old as me 55

think im with you on this keith.......

[Goldsoul]

The Top Rank was pretty typical of the time. With a huge main floor and smaller room upstairs, the Resident DJ was Chris Williams, who you can still see at the Queens, Basford every 1st Saturday.

Chris had the unenviable task of

trying to please all comers. A typical 30 minute set would include Alice Cooper-Schools Out, Rock and Roll Part 2-Gary Glitter followed by Bok To Bach and Sliced Tomatoes!

Upstairs became Northern Soul in early 73 as the Torch closed. Soul

Sam and Andy Hanley kick started with Keith Minshull and others appearing periodically following fall out's with Chris Burton.

In Jan 74, I joined the All Dayer team and what events they were....packed to the rafters.

I distinctly remember the revolving stage and how much better the PA was to Wigan

Shameless plug.......I play a lot of that era(minus Alice and Gary every Saturday 6-10pm on Signal 2(1170AM,DAB and www.signal2.co.uk) during the first 2 hours of a 4 hour Soul show. Think 'Penguin Breakdown' 'Scrub Board' 'Stop What You're Doing'....you get the picture.

S-o-T became my second home and like others on this thread met some fabulous characters.

Great venue....Happy times.

Edited May 29, 2010 by The Golden 101

[Colsoul]

Didn't Levine have a brief stint there or am I imagining it?

i remember levine being on at the heavy steam machine boxing day alldayer 73 a car load from bishop auckland went down ,but john brown was refused entry with his cassette recorder as levine had passed judgement ,col

[Guest Dave Mortimore]

ThIS WAS THE FIRST MAJOR SOUL VENUE I WENT TO AROUND 1973 -74 AS A 15 YEAR OLD . ID BEEN TO THE LOCAL YOUTH CLUBS AND HEARD MOST OF THE RUN OF MILL OF SOUL MUSIC THAT WAS BEEN PLAYED AND WAS ENCOURAGED BY MY ELDERS TO BROADEN MY HORIZIONS AND VENTURE UP TO THE TOP RANK WHICH WAS A INTERNATIONAL SOUL CLUB PROMOTION. THINK IT WAS A 16 HOUR SOUL FESTIVAL FROM 12 NOON TILL 04.00 AM AND MAJOR LANCE WAS APPEARING. FROM THEM I WAS HOOKED. ONLY BEING A YOUNG'EN THEN BUT WAS THE RANK A MAJOR VENUE IN THE COUNTRY IN THOSE DAYS.

.

. That photogragh brings back so many memories. I remember the first soul night on a Sunday, which was the upper floor only. If you were tall enough you could touch the ceiling on that upper dancefloor and some did to act as a pivot when spinning. It was packed and led to the whole place being opened up every Sunday. Happy Days they were indeed!

.

. I'm not so sure that Keith Minshull had a record shop in Hanley. Maybe he sold stuff upstairs at Bews Records in Burslem?

.

. There was one notable character I remember, who used to sell records at a record store in Stafford Street. He was nicknamed 'Bootlace.' He had blonde locks and had the viking about him in the way he enthusiastically followed the music. Unfortunately, he died in the mid 70s (due to the scene).

.

. Although it wasn't the All-Nighter venue like The Golden Torch, The Top Rank was the bigger dancehall that has a special place in folks hearts. Northern Soul really died off in The Potteries when it closed down and was taken over by Baileys Nightclub chain and then much later becoming a huge bingo hall.

.

. What The Golden 101 wrote about The Rank in that it (Chris Williams) would play all sorts of music, as well as soul, was true of a Saturday night when all and sundry from the local area would descend on the venue for a good time.

.

. However, before The Torch did All-Nighters, there were soul nights of a kind being done at The Rank. I remember my girl friend at the time (circa 1970) complaining of a Tuesday night playing too much hard soul and not enough of what she liked, as her tastes ranged from Motown to mid tempo soul like Rescue Me - Fontella Bass. This hard soul soul as she referred to it at the time, was Northern Soul, although it had still yet to earn the term. I think lots of different soul D.J.s did a stint at The Rank and gradually brought the music to the fore in the local area, making it into, very much a main stream culture for the youth at that time.

.

Edited May 29, 2010 by Dave Mortimore

[Keithw]

Not forgetting mick vickers Keith..........

yes sadly departed little mick

he would verbal the night away with Sammy

but would always be first on the floor,in his sandals mainly

[Guest POTTERIESPECK]

About the Major Lance show at Hanley ,it was as good (if not better than the Torch) and The Real Thing were brilliant as well

Steve

I sent a cassette of the live Hanley to Mark(Wiganer 1) maybe he could put it upon here ´cause you can feel the atmosphere.

That was the occassion i was on about when the Real Thing were also appearing aswell as the MAJOR. Do you remember if it was a 12.00 until 04.00 am event ?, was it arounabout Christmas time ?, was it 1973 or 1974 ?. - CHEERS.

[CRUMB]

Happy Days !

I seem to recall going downstairs and 'Landslide' is always a tune that reminds me of there.

It was one of the few places I could buy the OOTP 45's along with the record shop in the arcade which was basically down past the side of

the Top Rank / old Radio Stoke opposite where Cartlidge curtains used to be (can't remember the name).

Remember Keith Minshall having a record shop in Hanley , I think it is where the main entrance to the Potteries Shopping Centre is opposite the Britannia

Building society.

david

Can't remember Keith running this shop but I know Phil Oliver used to manage it, can't remember who owned it though. A couple of doors away from a pub called The Sealion wasn't it?

[CRUMB]

I'd be suprised if Atlas,Crumb, Doris or Blondie went the Rank [ no offence -unless it was a Saturday morning show ]. In 1974 would imagine all the mentioned would still be of school age. I still see all but John [ BLONDIE ] knocking about know and then.

Yeah, I'm far too young to have gone the Rank exept on a Saturday morning. Wouldn't have thought Atlas, Doris or Blondie went either. You're not likely to see Blondie about, unless you're in the Philippines.

[Guest NASHEE]

Can't remember Keith running this shop but I know Phil Oliver used to manage it, can't remember who owned it though. A couple of doors away from a pub called The Sealion wasn't it?

The record shop in Hanley was Sherwins

[CRUMB]

The record shop in Hanley was Sherwins

That was more of a musical instruments shop, there was another round the corner that specialised in soul.

[Guest POTTERIESPECK]

That was more of a musical instruments shop, there was another round the corner that specialised in soul.

If you came out of the Roman Candle , turned right,then crossed over the road it was before you got to the SEA LION pub. I assume we're on about the same shop Crumb, 99% sure this was KEITH'S shop. Think Sherwins was right across from the Roman Candle on the corner.Almost sure SHERWINS was more or less gone when KEITH opened up his shop.

[CRUMB]

If you came out of the Roman Candle , turned right,then crossed over the road it was before you got to the SEA LION pub. I assume we're on about the same shop Crumb, 99% sure this was KEITH'S shop. Think Sherwins was right across from the Roman Candle on the corner.Almost sure SHERWINS was more or less gone when KEITH opened up his shop.

Yeah that's the shop I was on about, didn't know it was owt to do with Keith though. I used to sneak off work when I was bored and go in there to talk to Phil Oliver, would have been about 76 - 77. Is it later than this when Keith had it?

[Guest martyn]

Yeah that's the shop I was on about, didn't know it was owt to do with Keith though. I used to sneak off work when I was bored and go in there to talk to Phil Oliver, would have been about 76 - 77. Is it later than this when Keith had it?

Are you the bloke who had all the piercings ( unusual in those days ) , or was it Blondie ? If so I remember you from when I used to come up to Stoke with Tony Warot - usually to pick Dave Alcock up on the way to Wigan . Also remember Sally (Cheryl ) , Roz , Atlas , Brenda , Caz , Elaine , Chris of the top of my head

Regards - Martyn (from Bedford)

[CRUMB]

Are you the bloke who had all the piercings ( unusual in those days ) , or was it Blondie ? If so I remember you from when I used to come up to Stoke with Tony Warot - usually to pick Dave Alcock up on the way to Wigan . Also remember Sally (Cheryl ) , Roz , Atlas , Brenda , Caz , Elaine , Chris of the top of my head

Regards - Martyn (from Bedford)

Yeah, that's me, bloody hate piercings now though. You used to go in the Antelope didn't you?

[Guest martyn]

Yeah, that's me, bloody hate piercings now though. You used to go in the Antelope didn't you?

Thats right mate & The Rigger in Newcastle on the way home sometimes Came on your coach a few times to Colwyn Bay & Yate ...................I can't remember why though , its a bit out of the way going from Bedford to Stoke to get to Yate

[CRUMB]

Are you the bloke who had all the piercings ( unusual in those days ) , or was it Blondie ? If so I remember you from when I used to come up to Stoke with Tony Warot - usually to pick Dave Alcock up on the way to Wigan . Also remember Sally (Cheryl ) , Roz , Atlas , Brenda , Caz , Elaine , Chris of the top of my head

Regards - Martyn (from Bedford)

Still see Atlas & Elaine now & again, Roz lives in Australia & I havent seen the others far years

Cheers

Crumb

[Guest martyn]

Still see Atlas & Elaine now & again, Roz lives in Australia & I havent seen the others far years

Cheers

Crumb

If you see Elaine say hello for me - I drove her to Peterborough with Brenda & Sally a couple of times .....Again , Why I have no idea

[Guest NASHEE]

That was more of a musical instruments shop, there was another round the corner that specialised in soul.

I had a word with Bob Morris about this over the weekend...The record shop I'm on about was in Sherwins basement..he recons he used to pick up loads of great soul records there...The only thing I remember about it from being a kid, was you went down a load of steps... it was pretty small, and there was a couple of listening booths on the left hand side.

[Vanda]

I had a word with Bob Morris about this over the weekend...The record shop I'm on about was in Sherwins basement..he recons he used to pick up loads of great soul records there...The only thing I remember about it from being a kid, was you went down a load of steps... it was pretty small, and there was a couple of listening booths on the left hand side.

I'm sure there was a small record shop further up the road from Sherwin's, next to a jewellers if I'm not mistaken that sold Northern Soul records, there was also "Sundown Records"? in the old arcade in Hanley that sold Northern too, (both were around in the 70's)

Edited June 8, 2010 by cherrylips

[CRUMB]

I had a word with Bob Morris about this over the weekend...The record shop I'm on about was in Sherwins basement..he recons he used to pick up loads of great soul records there...The only thing I remember about it from being a kid, was you went down a load of steps... it was pretty small, and there was a couple of listening booths on the left hand side.

I had my first proper record case from there, still got it but it's cut in half now to make two smaller ones.

[Nige Brown]

Remember Keith Minshall having a record shop in Hanley 7

Il stand corrected Spook, but in those days Keithwas working at BEWES Electical Shop in BURSLEM,, the record Dept was up stairs,, we used to go up on our scooters, I remember buying Big Boris Devils Drive RCA recomended by Keith at the time a new release ,,, i was so made up when its was a regular play by Keith at the Torch All Niters

Im sure Sherwins is were Keith is supposed to have found Queen of Fools UK Hicory Demo in their Cheapo section!! Later to be one of the Torch Anthems!!

Fond memories of Top Rank to ,, Martyn Ellis keeping everyone amused in the que to get in!!

Also a very young looking Ann Bond,,,,, Kev!!!

Harycon Days !!

Nige B

Edited May 31, 2010 by Nige Brown

[Guest NASHEE]

[Guest Dave Mortimore]

If you came out of the Roman Candle , turned right,then crossed over the road it was before you got to the SEA LION pub. I assume we're on about the same shop Crumb, 99% sure this was KEITH'S shop. Think Sherwins was right across from the Roman Candle on the corner.Almost sure SHERWINS was more or less gone when KEITH opened up his shop.

.

. Great to see the old photographs of Town Road, up from and on the opposite side to The Roman Candle. The small record shop you're talking about was owned by a guy called Derek, who looked liked Mick Fleetwood when he had hair. The shop sold all kinds of music as well as some soul. Soulie Tanya Rich worked there for a while during 1976 into 77. The place later closed and sold off nearly all of it's soul for 10p a disc. As it was bargain basement time, I remember buying 6 copies of The Younghearts - A little togetherness amongst others.

.

.

Edited June 7, 2010 by Dave Mortimore

[Guest POTTERIESPECK]

.

. Great to see the old photographs of Town Road, up from and on the opposite side to The Roman Candle. The small record shop you're talking about was owned by a guy called Derek, who looked liked Mick Fleetwood when he had hair. The shop sold all kinds of music as well as some soul. Soulie Tanya Rich worked there for a while during 1976 into 77. The place later closed and sold off nearly all of it's soul for 10p a disc. As it was bargain basement time, I remember buying 6 copies of The Younghearts - A little togetherness amongst others.

.

.Was this the guy.

[CRUMB]

.

. Great to see the old photographs of Town Road, up from and on the opposite side to The Roman Candle. The small record shop you're talking about was owned by a guy called Derek, who looked liked Mick Fleetwood when he had hair. The shop sold all kinds of music as well as some soul. Soulie Tanya Rich worked there for a while during 1976 into 77. The place later closed and sold off nearly all of it's soul for 10p a disc. As it was bargain basement time, I remember buying 6 copies of The Younghearts - A little togetherness amongst others.

.

.

Yeah, bloke with a beard. Saw keith last week & he confirmed it was nowt to do with him

[Guest Dave Mortimore]

Yeah, bloke with a beard. Saw keith last week & he confirmed it was nowt to do with him

.

. He was a much younger version of that photo of Mick, as he could still get a rise whenever a bird in a short skirt walked in the shop.

.

. Yeah not Keith. But you know what! I'm not sure about this? I vaguely remember Phil Oliver selling records in Hanley and I think it might have been from that shop before Derek took over?

.

. My memory isn't that good these days. Phil is but a very far distant memory, from a time when he was really young, I can recall his homophobic elder brother shrugging him off for his affectionate tendancies.

. I remember well a period of time when he D.J.ed at a youth club and then later at a hotel in Bircheshead. But I don't ever remember ever seeing him out and around at a proper Northern night. There again there were alot of people at places like The Rank and it's easy to miss folk.

.

. I believe he's dead now?

.

Edited June 8, 2010 by Dave Mortimore

[Guest]

Top Rank Hanley was my first major venue, just after the Torch shut late '73. Distinctly remember being in the queue and Jimmy Holiday "I'm Gonna Move To The City" was blasting out of someone's tape player. My first recollection of inside was this great big fat bloke in a black blazer with red piping to the edges which turned out to be Dave (The Mighty Bub) Buttle. I'm sure I can remember there was also a dwarf on the dance floor (am I right or is it just summat in my head?). Remember Minsh, Levine, Sam, Alan Day, Martyn Ellis, not sure about Curtis though.

Three or four of us wandering around Hanley and asked a copper for directions to somewhere or other. He asked my mate if he'd ever been to the Torch, "No, but I wish I had". Next thing we know two cop cars pull up and give us the third degree on the street, up against the wall, empty ya pockets out you little c-nt etc etc.

More likely with it being Hanley to have been a Hobbit Dave

Malc Burton

[Guest Dave Turner]

More likely with it being Hanley to have been a Hobbit Dave

Malc Burton

Hope you're on your tea-break mate.

If not then GET SOME BLOODY WORK DONE

[Spook]

Yeah that's the shop I was on about, didn't know it was owt to do with Keith though. I used to sneak off work when I was bored and go in there to talk to Phil Oliver, would have been about 76 - 77. Is it later than this when Keith had it?

if it was not Keiths shop he was behind the counter sometimes as I can deffo remember buying Five and a Penny on UK polydor from him in there. Which would be around 1977.

Bought most of 45's those days from Sundown in the arcade and a hairdressers in Newcastle !!!! Plus the Music shop in Newcastle.

David

Edited June 8, 2010 by spook