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Leeds Central


Petedillon

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OK now after all this 'Leeds Central' talk, the big question.

When are we going to arrange a night to commemorate the club.

I'm definitely up for it. We'll get the same DJs or at least some of them, maybe if possible the same venue, doesn't have to be on a Saturday,

and I'm 1000% sure that a lot of the old crowd would turn up too.

C'mon lads, I am more than willing to help get it going and promote it. What do ya think??

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Think you'll struggle to get the club on a weekend , Friday would be ace if you could though...yes.gif...Obviously no Mr.Banks, but I'm sure Ian(if we tie his jazz-funk hands up!!)& Pat Brady , also Swish for the later 70's would be up for it. Be good if yourself and Chris could do it too...me I'll just wallow in the nostalgia ! Cracking idea but it has to be at the Central for it to work, for me. Anywhere else and its just another oldies night really.yes.gif

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Also what about reduced entry for original membership card holders? or even a special guest list for ex-club employees as mentioned by Roy earlier...A one-off badge or even better...a commemorative limited edition 45 given on the door!!! I'm buzzing already, Steve!

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Yes there is so much that can be done Pete if we put our minds to it, just need the right ideas and actions from the right people.

Like I say i am willing to put a lot of promotion and time into it, there's nothing I'd like to see more than the old faces, and hearing the old tunes in the old place.

I think even if we could get a mid week night it'd be ok, doesn't have to go on that late and I think folk would still come, or even a Sunday.

PS - Started proceedings, leave it with me.

Edited by steveluigi
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Sunday afternoon could be good!

A Central " reunion " : count me in :thumbsup:

Agree with you Peter - it has to be in the original venue , and a Sunday afternoon ( finishing early evening a la The Wheel Sunday sessions ) would be good .

Slightly off tangent , where was the venue that had the parrot in the cage ? was it The Bali Hai ?

Malc

Edited by Malc Burton
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Hi Ian and Roy.

Great to hear from you both. Yes Ian the Central was a big influence on the Leeds and surrounding areas developing Soul scene. I first ventured there around 1968,when it was simply a mod club playing the usual mixture of soul,motown and ska & rocksteady.Also a few tunes which blew our minds brought along by any of the older guys who ventured further, if they were not down at the BeeGee up the road. One of the dj's then was a guy called Andy he took me with him to the Wheel, then after that I ventured to the L'Ambassadeur, Metro etc . It was myself ,Mick Eastwood and people like Tony Jackson , Chris Mallows ,Dave Maltas etc who talked the manageress-Joan into having all-nighters. Previously we used the Central as a starter point before heading off to the all-nighter of choice..The rest is history, as they say. The few pics I have in my gallery are all I have, but hopefully by next week I may be posting a load more. Roy, Willie Richardson was awesome, ex-Mr Universe, I think. He once picked me up by the skin on the inside of my arms, I still have the scars!. In all honesty, I loved the Central. It was our spiritual home.

Before that the Spinning Disc was another cracking venue! if anybody doesnt know what it was like, its best described as a replica in lay-out of the casino!

I lost my first job because we used to go to the mid-week lunchtime 12-2 session 1 shilling to get in , cop off and not go back to work, spending the afternoon in the El Toro or Lulu's. Great times haha. Rick Vaughan used to play Billy's Bag by Billy Preston at the end as you left. Saw all the great touring soul bands there, Geno, James & Bobby Purify, Lee Dorsey,Jimmy James.

best

Pete Dillon

How brilliant Pete thumbsup.gif I never knew that. When was the first all-nighter at the Central ?

This is a great thread. A real insight for me who wasn't old lucky enough to go :lol:

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I can still see Willie / Bill's smiling face ( yes , he did smile ) as clearly as I can see the monitor in front of me .

He was a great guy and a pleasure to know , but when he went on door duty , he was an intimidating figure .

You are quite right Peter , he was an ex - Mr Universe , but it was the UK Amateur one .

Following his success in the contest , he gave up being a doorman to concentrate on body building and other related areas of the sport : I think he opened a gym in Leeds but I cannot be sure .

What you may not know , Bill had also been the UK arm wrestling champion for three consecutive years in the 60s . In respect of his arm wrestling prowess , Bill competed in the arm wrestling competition on Yorkshire Television's " Indoor League " . He had entered the competition right handed , but when he was told that all the places for RH competitors had been taken , he did it left handed ........ and won laugh.gif .

In respect of Bill's musical tastes , he was a big fan of the American guitar group The Ventures ( " Walk Don't Run " etc ) , and used to bring in copies of their albums ( on import US Liberty red vinyl ) " insisting " that we played " good music " before we opened . On the rare occasion I hear a Ventures record , hearing it makes me smile .

Malc

laugh.giflaugh.gif Malc, how do you know stuff like this. laugh.gif The only reason I can think of is that you were the losing arm wrestler :lol: x

Edited by Alison H
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:lol: :lol: Malc, how do you know stuff like this. :lol:The only reason I can think of is that you were the losing arm wrestler :lol: x

In respect of knowing about it Alison , my statement came from personal knowledge , not research .

Concerning your statement of being the losing arm wrestler : Bill would challenge people to arm wrestle him , and used to say to me " come on white boy , I'll not hurt you " .

On the rare times I agreed , he did :lol:

Malc

Edited by Malc Burton
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I remember watching Willy on tele' many a time. He just used to stare his opponent out and when he saw them struggling he'd strike.

I remember in the 'central' one night (me and Willy were good friends by the way) I was stood near the bar, and it felt like a meteorite had hit me in the back, it was just willy saying hello with a friendly tap LOL.

Good days (ouch)

Edited by steveluigi
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How brilliant Pete :D I never knew that. When was the first all-nighter at the Central ?

This is a great thread. A real insight for me who wasn't old lucky enough to go :D

HI ALISON,

Shame you missed out the Central was a great club and venue.

If the Central reunion does eventually happen you will be lucky enough (but not too old) attend :D:lol::ohmy:

regards ROY

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In respect of knowing about it Alison , my statement came from personal knowledge , not research .

Concerning your statement of being the losing arm wrestler : Bill would challenge people to arm wrestle him , and used to say to me " come on white boy , I'll not hurt you " .

On the rare times I agreed , he did :thumbup:

Malc

:thumbsup::lol: Brilliant white boy :D and I know that wikipedia come to YOU for information :thumbup: x

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HI ALISON,

Shame you missed out the Central was a great club and venue.

If the Central reunion does eventually happen you will be lucky enough (but not too old) attend :D :D :D

regards ROY

I'll be there, for sure :yes:

Your post 44 had me cracking up but I didn't want to sabbotage this interesting thread with lots of laughing smileys from me but while I'm here :thumbsup::lol::thumbup: :thumbup: .......... collected any glasses recently :D:yes::lol:

See you soon Roy x

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Guest topcatnumpty1

Steve I,ve already said to Pete this Re-union would be a great idea ,but not Sunday afternoon--it,s too much hassle to get up at 6 on a Monday(never used to be though!!) count me in as my time there 1978--81 was some of the best times of my life--get the Carshalton Cowboy up here!!

T.C.

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Not so good for driving back 200 odd miles after a skinful though Steve! :no:

Unless it'd be the Sunday before a Monday bank holiday of course.......:lol:

Ian D :D

Whatever the date and selected time , I will be there :thumbsup:

Malc

Edited by Malc Burton
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Not so good for driving back 200 odd miles after a skinful though Steve! :lol:

Unless it'd be the Sunday before a Monday bank holiday of course.......:thumbsup:

Ian D :no:

Get your man to drive Foggy :D

Malc

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OK good news!!

I can tell you now that the Leeds Central Reunion is on thumbsup.gif

I am just discussing a day and date. It is looking very possible that it may be on

a Sunday before a bank Holiday Monday, so all good for everyone.

As soon as I know, so will you, but it's all go from the owners of the venue.

OH! by the way, did I say I have managed to get the original 'Central' building for the reunion? beer.gif

Edited by steveluigi
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OK good news!!

I can tell you now that the Leeds Central Reunion is on thumbsup.gif

I am just discussing a day and date. It is looking very possible that it may be on

a Sunday before a bank Holiday Monday, so all good for everyone.

As soon as I know, so will you, but it's all go from the owners of the venue.

OH! by the way, did I say I have managed to get the original 'Central' building for the reunion? beer.gif

Excellent news Mr L : we knew you would deliver the goods :thumbsup:

Malc

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.

As soon as I know, so will you, but it's all go from the owners of the venue.

OH! by the way, did I say I have managed to get the original 'Central' building for the reunion? beer.gif

NOW, NOW STEVE,

All of us that went to the Central know that the "building" is five floors high!:D :D :wicked:

So what is it to be are we on the top floor or have you secured the original venue which is now known as the Hi-Fi club.:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Don't be shy let us all into the secret.:wave::lol::yes::lol:

ROY

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ROY!!!! Would I try to pull the wool over your eyes???

Like I said "it wouldn't work anywhere BUT the original venue"

I have secured the ORIGINAL venue, the 'Central Soul Club' now HiFi.

Now! apology please for doubting me LOL.

STEVE,

My old friend and buddy , i never doubted you for one minute.:wicked::wave::lol:

However total clarity was never one of your strongpoints :yes::lol: :lol: but we all forgive you as your enthusiasm for all things Central knows no bounds :D :D

Well done on securing the venue, the "chips" are nearly done :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

ROY

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STEVE,

My old friend and buddy , i never doubted you for one minute.:wicked::wave::lol:

However total clarity was never one of your strongpoints :yes::lol: :lol: but we all forgive you as your enthusiasm for all things Central knows no bounds :D :D

Well done on securing the venue, the "chips" are nearly done :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

ROY

LOL!! No Roy, the chips ARE done, and waiting to be served hatsoff2.gif

The Central was a massive part of my life, and made a dream come true when I eventually got to DJ there.

It paved the way from me to experience the Northern Soul scene and meet some of my best friends, many are still good friends over 40 years later, including yourself.

Bringing back to life the Central, even for one day is my utmost pleasure. When I went yesterday to meet the management it literally sent a shiver down my spine seeing the old place again, albeit, it has change a lot, but the bare bones of the Central are still in place, and the atmosphere of the old club, people and music still hangs on the walls.

Edited by steveluigi
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Good news.

I loved the Central back in the day and we ran a couple of Central revival nights back at the old place in the 90's.

As you say Steve, it's still the Central at its heart. Just a bit cleaner :thumbsup:

Phil

Great News .

Looking forward to the day :hatsoff2:

Malc

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Good news.

I loved the Central back in the day and we ran a couple of Central revival nights back at the old place in the 90's.

As you say Steve, it's still the Central at its heart. Just a bit cleaner :hatsoff2:

Phil

Yeah, I enjoyed the times I spent there back end of 70s and into the very early 80s.

Phil I remember going to one revival night in the 90s, no idea what year?

I think it might have been around christmas time? Lou was with me on that night.

Sorry, we can't come to the may reunion, as we are at Newquay Weekender.

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Last went in early 1973, with some great lads from Donnie/Rotherham, sadly a number are no longer with us, and as part of the excitement was on the train from Sheffield crunching dex, then haven't been since, but am curious again.

Bob Parker, Steve Goodison Russ Davey all good lads at that time

Shelly

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The Crosby`s + Camera will be there as well, looking forward to it-H

I am looking forward to seeing Di and you H , as it will be a welcome addition to our usual once a year meet up in October at The Torch Reunion .

Not the dreaded Crosby camera ....... is Di still taking those " adult " photographs of you ?

Malc

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I am looking forward to seeing Di and you H , as it will be a welcome addition to our usual once a year meet up in October at The Torch Reunion .

Not the dreaded Crosby camera ....... is Di still taking those " adult " photographs of you ?

Malc

SHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! MALC.yeh looking forward to it mate :hatsoff2:

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SHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! MALC.yeh looking forward to it mate :hatsoff2:

I sincerely hope that those bloody stairs are kind to my knees Harry , but I do not think they will be :thumbsup:

Still sfter the stairs at The Ryan Hall , they should be a piece of gateux ........

Malc

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Yeah, I enjoyed the times I spent there back end of 70s and into the very early 80s.

Phil I remember going to one revival night in the 90s, no idea what year?

I think it might have been around christmas time? Lou was with me on that night.

Sorry, we can't come to the may reunion, as we are at Newquay Weekender.

Dave, I think that would have been 1996?

Phil

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LOL!! No Roy, the chips ARE done, and waiting to be served hatsoff2.gif

The Central was a massive part of my life, and made a dream come true when I eventually got to DJ there.

It paved the way from me to experience the Northern Soul scene and meet some of my best friends, many are still good friends over 40 years later, including yourself.

Bringing back to life the Central, even for one day is my utmost pleasure. When I went yesterday to meet the management it literally sent a shiver down my spine seeing the old place again, albeit, it has change a lot, but the bare bones of the Central are still in place, and the atmosphere of the old club, people and music still hangs on the walls.

HI STEVE,

I know that you will probably have been in touch with Ian Dewhirst, Twink, Pat Brady, Swish etc but have you managed to contact Tony Jackson, Keith Atkinson???.

Not heard of Keiths whereabouts for donkeys years, although Tony is still doing the rounds as you probably know. So any thoughts on the format and times as i have no doubt you will end up with about ten dj's for the afternoon/night.

regards ROY

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Guest topcatnumpty1

Looking good ,bring it on Mr and Mrs Crosby --bed b4 or after if you want---decent pubs in Leeds b4 hand ----COME ON

T.C.

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