What were FIRST time spins at Wigan Casino

That's an excellent question and I though would have received more response.

" Tears Of A Clown "- instrumental ??

More seriously I'm assuming you mean Soul and not the pop stuff.

So I think

"Eternally" The Charmaines was a Wigan first timer.

ATB

Tony

jesus theres hundreds of em

That's an excellent question and I though would have received more response.

" Tears Of A Clown "- instrumental ??

More seriously I'm assuming you mean Soul and not the pop stuff.

So I think

"Eternally" The Charmaines was a Wigan first timer.

ATB

Tony

Tony

What a great oldie you never hear

John & The Weirdest (both sides)was a played at Wigan first wasn't it?

Cheers

Martyn

That's an excellent question and I though would have received more response.

" Tears Of A Clown "- instrumental ??

More seriously I'm assuming you mean Soul and not the pop stuff.

So I think

"Eternally" The Charmaines was a Wigan first timer.

ATB

Tony

I thought it would as well. Just curious as to what might have come up really,not to list everyone,thats not possible but surely there must be loads people rememebr as first time spins ...and YES Soul not all the shite that was played

Delites - Lover

The Agents - Trouble

Masquaders - Same Thing

Rose Valentine (Little Ann)

New Wanderers - This Man in Love

Betty Boo - Say It isnt So

The - Construction - He Little Way Out Girl

Carol Anderson - Sad Girl

Lester Tipton -

The Q

loads

Russ

Delites - Lover

The Agents - Trouble

Masquaders - Same Thing

Rose Valentine (Little Ann)

New Wanderers - This Man in Love

Betty Boo - Say It isnt So

The - Construction - He Little Way Out Girl

Carol Anderson - Sad Girl

Lester Tipton -

The Q

loads

Russ

Sorry, got to disagree there, The Delights, The Agents were Cleethorpes/Peterborough/St Ives plays for Sam. Betty Boo instrumental was also St Ives (Ginger from Anderson ?) ,Lester Tipton was first played by Rug from Rushden at 'The Rock' in Rushden & then St Ives the same night ........Thats how I remember it anyway

Sorry, got to disagree there, The Delights, The Agents were Cleethorpes/Peterborough/St Ives plays for Sam. Betty Boo instrumental was also St Ives (Ginger from Anderson ?) ,Lester Tipton was first played by Rug from Rushden at 'The Rock' in Rushden & then St Ives the same night ........Thats how I remember it anyway

I remember them from Richard Searling at Wigan. Betty Boo was deffo RS at Wigan, not sure about the instrumental, I'm talking about the vocal. Would be nice to get some clarity on the others you mention, they were deffo played by Richard as 'newies' tho.

Best Russ

MY EARS ALWAYS PRICK UP ON THESE THREADS,,,STILL ON MY QUEST TO GET EVERYTHING SPUN FROM MY FAVE EVER VENUE....

Betty Boo Vocal was defo Searling Casino bout 78/9

Cecil Wasington, Larry Clinton, Chandlers, Frank Dell, Wakefield Sun all broke at Wigan, that just in the latter years alone.

Jimmy Burns was played by Sam first on the east cost.

Aid

You can go back further & find hundreds & I mean hundreds that were first broke at Wigan, not least cos Simon Soussan was supplying them to create demand so he could get em pressed up later on, these include, the likes of Sandy Wynns Quicksand, Derek & Ray, Patti Williams, Doing the best. Bobby Treetop, Wait Til. Jay Dee Martin, By Yourself, you could go on all day, in fact the list is staggering if you take a close look. Seems sometimes lot of Casino doomsayers don't give credit where's it due cos of the pop aspect, forgetting the great stuff.

Rant over

Aid.

Cecil Wasington, Larry Clinton, Chandlers, Frank Dell, Wakefield Sun all broke at Wigan, that just in the latter years alone.

Jimmy Burns was played by Sam first on the east cost.

Aid

Sorry to tell you but The Chandlers was not Wigan.

You can go back further & find hundreds & I mean hundreds that were first broke at Wigan, not least cos Simon Soussan was supplying them to create demand so he could get em pressed up later on, these include, the likes of Sandy Wynns Quicksand, Derek & Ray, Patti Williams, Doing the best. Bobby Treetop, Wait Til. Jay Dee Martin, By Yourself, you could go on all day, in fact the list is staggering if you take a close look. Seems sometimes lot of Casino doomsayers don't give credit where's it due cos of the pop aspect, forgetting the great stuff.

Rant over

Aid.

Sandy Wynns and Bobby Treetop way before Wigan.

leon thomas - love

yvonne baker - you didnt say a word

Sorry to tell you but The Chandlers was not Wigan.

I bow to your better judgement on Sandy Wynns & Bobby Treetop Dave, although that's contrary to a book I've read, but that could well be wrong & I'm not old enough to really know as my main days were 78 onwards, really surprised about The Chandlers, who was spinning that before Dickie then?

Cheers ears

Aid.

I bow to your better judgement on Sandy Wynns & Bobby Treetop Dave, although that's contrary to a book I've read, but that could well be wrong & I'm not old enough to really know as my main days were 78 onwards, really surprised about The Chandlers, who was spinning that before Dickie then?

Cheers ears

Aid.

Andy Riding R.I.P. was the 1st with the Chandlers (early 76), he sold it to Pat Brady in late 76/early 77.

Dickie got one not long after.

The Ist time I heard Bobby Treetop out was at the Top Rank Handley in Nov 72.

Not sure when Sandy Wynns was 1st played out,but I knew it and had it before Wigan opened.

Reguards Dave.

Betty Boo Vocal was defo Searling Casino bout 78/9

Alan Rhodes always played the instr from what I remember, RS played the vocal

Andy Riding R.I.P. was the 1st with the Chandlers (early 76), he sold it to Pat Brady in late 76/early 77.

Dickie got one not long after.

The Ist time I heard Bobby Treetop out was at the Top Rank Handley in Nov 72.

Not sure when Sandy Wynns was 1st played out,but I knew it and had it before Wigan opened.

Reguards Dave.

Bobby Treetop was played at the Torch.

Bobby Treetop was played at the Torch.

Yeah Paul, I know, but I was just saying where I 1st remember hearing it.

Sorry Guys I thought RS played Trouble at Clouds Edinburgh

No idea why that line appeared !!

Andy Riding R.I.P. was the 1st with the Chandlers (early 76), he sold it to Pat Brady in late 76/early 77.

Dickie got one not long after.

The Ist time I heard Bobby Treetop out was at the Top Rank Handley in Nov 72.

Not sure when Sandy Wynns was 1st played out,but I knew it and had it before Wigan opened.

Reguards Dave.

Hi,

I think Brad and Barrie Waddington could throw some light on this. I remember Barrie telling me it was around in Burnley way before it was played and was known in rare soul circles for other side.

Regards

Ion

I remember them from Richard Searling at Wigan. Betty Boo was deffo RS at Wigan, not sure about the instrumental, I'm talking about the vocal. Would be nice to get some clarity on the others you mention, they were deffo played by Richard as 'newies' tho.

Best Russ

Hi Russ , I have a tape (somewhere !) I did at St Ives nighter in August 77 - Betty Boo instrumental was played that night for sure

Hi Russ , I have a tape (somewhere !) I did at St Ives nighter in August 77 - Betty Boo instrumental was played that night for sure

Indeed Martyn played ... well before 78/79

Sorry guys but I'm referring to the vocal & not the instrumental - vocal was deffo Searling WC.

Russ

chandlers was pat brady Not dicky ! At wigan

Hi,

I think Brad and Barrie Waddington could throw some light on this. I remember Barrie telling me it was around in Burnley way before it was played and was known in rare soul circles for other side.

Regards

Ion

Ion, both Steve (Brad) Bradley and Barrie Waddington, where/are good mates of mine.

You haven't said which record needs some light on it?

Are you getting mixed up with another record the late Andy Riding played at the same time as The Chandlers

ie. Carol & GerrI, he played O.Y.H.L.G. before H.C.I.E.F.A.W. was played at Wigan.

Tim Brown can confirm this.

chandlers was pat brady Not dicky ! At wigan

Yes, he got it off Andy Riding!!!

Ion, both Steve (Brad) Bradley and Barrie Waddington, where/are good mates of mine.

You haven't said which record needs some light on it?

Are you getting mixed up with another record the late Andy Riding played at the same time as The Chandlers

ie. Carol & GerrI, he played O.Y.H.L.G. before H.C.I.E.F.A.W. was played at Wigan.

Tim Brown can confirm this.

Hi Dave,

I was referring to Chandlers itself. Barrie definitely told me he was aware of it well before it was played. I was still swapping top trumps cards in '76 so I can't add any other comment.

Regards

Ion

The thing is there were litarally hundreds of first time plays at Wigan, BUT, there were hundreds more that were played first at other nighters before they became big at Wigan.

The Mecca tunes courtesy of Mr Levine & Mr Curtis are well documented elsewhere on the site.

What people tend to forget is that for a huge portion of the late 70s most of the top newies were being broken by the likes of Sam , Ginger , JV et all at St Ives, Cleethorpes & Peterborough , Ian Clark at Yate, not to mention Pat Brady & Arthur Fen at various venues in Yorkshire, Lincolnshire & Peterborough (again)........For a time between late 76 & early 80 Dicky was pissing against the wind on his own at The Casino before Sam, Pat & Gary Rushbrook were shipped in to help him stop the rot

So in conclusion I would say that probably 80% of the latest spins at the Casino between 77 & 80 that were NOT Dicky exclusives were almost certainly played & broken at the above named venues first. Now dont get me wrong, I loved W.C. as much as the next bloke, but there is an assumption from Casino regulars that didnt travel to other venues that every time they heard a new tune at Wigan it was new to the scene, when actually that tune had been big elsewhere for a few weeks !

I'll get my tin hat then ........................................................................................

Hi Dave,

I was referring to Chandlers itself. Barrie definitely told me he was aware of it well before it was played. I was still swapping top trumps cards in '76 so I can't add any other comment.

Regards

Ion

Barrie would have heard it at Accy Band Club (5 miles from Burnley) before it hit the big clubs.

There is a good chance that Andy might have played it Mid Week at Burnley Rose Room, cause the odd time Ginger let him have a go behind the decks.

The thing is there were litarally hundreds of first time plays at Wigan, BUT, there were hundreds more that were played first at other nighters before they became big at Wigan.

The Mecca tunes courtesy of Mr Levine & Mr Curtis are well documented elsewhere on the site.

What people tend to forget is that for a huge portion of the late 70s most of the top newies were being broken by the likes of Sam , Ginger , JV et all at St Ives, Cleethorpes & Peterborough , Ian Clark at Yate, not to mention Pat Brady & Arthur Fen at various venues in Yorkshire, Lincolnshire & Peterborough (again)........For a time between late 76 & early 80 Dicky was pissing against the wind on his own at The Casino before Sam, Pat & Gary Rushbrook were shipped in to help him stop the rot

So in conclusion I would say that probably 80% of the latest spins at the Casino between 77 & 80 that were NOT Dicky exclusives were almost certainly played & broken at the above named venues first. Now dont get me wrong, I loved W.C. as much as the next bloke, but there is an assumption from Casino regulars that didnt travel to other venues that every time they heard a new tune at Wigan it was new to the scene, when actually that tune had been big elsewhere for a few weeks !

I'll get my tin hat then ........................................................................................

I'd say they were very fair comments Martyn, I do remember looking at Sams play lists circa late 70's & on hearing his very occasional sets & he was definitely doing his own thing & ahead of the game, also I was also getting regular tapes off Manship full of monsters that hadn't yet broke at Wigan, that did eventually brake, like Johnny Hampton & Jimmy Burns.

So I do agree with what you are saying, but Dickie was braking plenty in his own right to, tunes not mentioned in posts above, off the top of my head now, I'll name some as what artist covered up then Christine Cooper Country Girl, Bob Segar Time Wont Let Me, Tamala Lewis, you won't say nothing, I'm think The Agents was, but not sure (although it was massive), Syng McGowan That's What I Want, Toni Basil, Brakeaway, Kenny Gamble Jokes On You, pretty sure most of those were broke at Wigan, to be honest even if they weren't, they were getting exposure at Wigan that they wouldn't get anywhere else, like 2000 people every single week, Don't forget, from what I'm made to believe, most or at least a lot of the big tunes at The Mecca were first given airplay at Catacombes in Wolves, but the were enough people were getting to here them and so they were broke at Blackpool.

I suppose my point is, we can get pedantic about where exactly a tune got first spun, but once it was big at Wigan it was in the stratosphere, someone mentioned that the Agents was first played in Scotland, but doesn't really matter does it, cos it was getting played 4 or 5 times a night to a frenzy in the main hall, it was massive then.

Cheers ears

Aid.

I'd say they were very fair comments Martyn, I do remember looking at Sams play lists circa late 70's & on hearing his very occasional sets & he was definitely doing his own thing & ahead of the game, also I was also getting regular tapes off Manship full of monsters that hadn't yet broke at Wigan, that did eventually brake, like Johnny Hampton & Jimmy Burns.

So I do agree with what you are saying, but Dickie was braking plenty in his own right to, tunes not mentioned in posts above, off the top of my head now, I'll name some as what artist covered up then Christine Cooper Country Girl, Bob Segar Time Wont Let Me, Tamala Lewis, you won't say nothing, I'm think The Agents was, but not sure (although it was massive), Syng McGowan That's What I Want, Toni Basil, Brakeaway, Kenny Gamble Jokes On You, pretty sure most of those were broke at Wigan, to be honest even if they weren't, they were getting exposure at Wigan that they wouldn't get anywhere else, like 2000 people every single week, Don't forget, from what I'm made to believe, most or at least a lot of the big tunes at The Mecca were first given airplay at Catacombes in Wolves, but the were enough people were getting to here them and so they were broke at Blackpool.

I suppose my point is, we can get pedantic about where exactly a tune got first spun, but once it was big at Wigan it was in the stratosphere, someone mentioned that the Agents was first played in Scotland, but doesn't really matter does it, cos it was getting played 4 or 5 times a night to a frenzy in the main hall, it was massive then.

Cheers ears

Aid.

There were of course certain sounds during that time that were exclusive to Wigan, Country Girl, I Dont Like to Lose & Do I Love You spring to mind

.

But again in your list you have listed at least 2 , possibly 3 (The Agents, Toni Basil & Syng McGowan) that were East of England sounds first. To suggest that they hadn't had the kind of exposure Wigan could give would be true if we were talking before 76 or after 79 - but we're not. Don't know if you ever saw Cleethorpes or St Ives in their hayday but to suggest Wigan was attracting more people than those two venues on any given Saturday night in say 77 would be debatable to say the least.

I repeat , Wigan was great - untouchable on its night, but to suggest that sounds didnt really 'make it' until played at Station Rd is a bit of an insult to the DJs & punters who wouldnt have crossed the road to enter the Casino when St Ives or Yate or Cleethorpes was on............Its only being pedantic if you think that at that period in time everyone still thought of the Casino as a nighter to aspire too - My memory serves me differently & reminds me that I was going to other nighters rather than Wigan most weeks in those years because they were better ! Come 1980 it had all changed again & IMO Wigan re-claimed its crown, mainly by them giving Dickie the support he desperatly needed by recruiting DJs (Sam & Pat) from the venues we have mentioned

Cheers

There were of course certain sounds during that time that were exclusive to Wigan, Country Girl, I Dont Like to Lose & Do I Love You spring to mind

.

But again in your list you have listed at least 2 , possibly 3 (The Agents, Toni Basil & Syng McGowan) that were East of England sounds first. To suggest that they hadn't had the kind of exposure Wigan could give would be true if we were talking before 76 or after 79 - but we're not. Don't know if you ever saw Cleethorpes or St Ives in their hayday but to suggest Wigan was attracting more people than those two venues on any given Saturday night in say 77 would be debatable to say the least.

I repeat , Wigan was great - untouchable on its night, but to suggest that sounds didnt really 'make it' until played at Station Rd is a bit of an insult to the DJs & punters who wouldnt have crossed the road to enter the Casino when St Ives or Yate or Cleethorpes was on............Its only being pedantic if you think that at that period in time everyone still thought of the Casino as a nighter to aspire too - My memory serves me differently & reminds me that I was going to other nighters rather than Wigan most weeks in those years because they were better ! Come 1980 it had all changed again & IMO Wigan re-claimed its crown, mainly by them giving Dickie the support he desperatly needed by recruiting DJs (Sam & Pat) from the venues we have mentioned

Cheers

Hey Martyn,

I'm well aware that the East Coast had it's own thing & sound going on, certainly don't mean to down talk it in anyway, I always loved Pat Brady & Sam too, but it's swings & roundabouts, cos of all the great soul coming from the east side, could be matched in the North West.

But you still have to put things in perspective my friend, it's not bring disrespectful.

You are talking with hindsight, you can't judge that history by todays standards. Wigan was the number one venue at that time full stop, by the power of ten, that's just the way it was.

It didn't need to do anything, it was packed to the rafters every single week & Fridays too once a month, you don't think Gerry Marshall was bothered about how soulful the place was do you?, he didn't need to be.

He didn't have a plan, it' just happened that way.

Aid.

Might just add & it's connected in a funny kind of way.

Was out last Saturday, had the pleasure of listening to John Manship's set in Warrington, and it was superb.

Guess what? wasn't full of rare obscure tracks (Like I thought it would be), when you imagine all the tracks he could have played.

But his set was full of Wigan standards, Tony Middleton, Poppies, Rufus Lumley, a lot of blue eyed stuff too, I was kinda surprised.

But must say, it was absolutely superb & we had a great night, & goes to show, rare & obscure doesn't alway mean good as Mr Manship proved last weekend.

Aid.

Hey Martyn,

I'm well aware that the East Coast had it's own thing & sound going on, certainly don't mean to down talk it in anyway, I always loved Pat Brady & Sam too, but it's swings & roundabouts, cos of all the great soul coming from the east side, could be matched in the North West.

But you still have to put things in perspective my friend, it's not bring disrespectful.

You are talking with hindsight, you can't judge that history by todays standards. Wigan was the number one venue at that time full stop, by the power of ten, that's just the way it was.

It didn't need to do anything, it was packed to the rafters every single week & Fridays too once a month, you don't think Gerry Marshall was bothered about how soulful the place was do you?, he didn't need to be.

He didn't have a plan, it' just happened that way.

Aid.

Hi Aid,

Would beg to differ - I think from my own personal experience of the period we are talking abour (77- late 79) Wigan was far from being the number 1 venue. I, like many others felt that Wigan had lost its way. I was at that time visiting Wigan far less than before or after because the other venues mentioned were just as well attended & playing better music.So hardly hindsight.

Also you seem to forget that (especially in 1978) Wigan was awash with barb heads who wandered around like Zombies all night untill they collapsed - it was gross some nights , seeing people you knew in that state .Now I know other nighters had the barb problem as well, just not on that scale - it seemed easier to get decent gear at the other venues

Please dont get me wrong, I still rate The Casino as the best nighter I ever attended overall. But in the specific period we are discussing the crown had deffinatly slipped . I'm guessing that you didnt visit Cleggy, St Ives or Yate in their prime - correct me if I'm wrong, or you would twig what I'm saying.

I have no problems at all with proclaiming Wigan as my number 1 venue of all time, but to view it with rose tinted specks is a diservice to our scene's history .

Anyway , 5 of my fav all time Wigan 1st plays (at the moment !)

Mike Post - AOTR

Court Davis

The Q

Cecil Washington

General Asembley (unless this was played bty PB first elsewhere covered as Don Varner in which case substitute Posse - Evil ?)

Edited November 30, 201113 yr by martyn

i playd the posse the other week in sheffield after someone requested it...still sounds good

heres one LEON THOMAS - LOVE??

Hi Aid,

Would beg to differ - I think from my own personal experience of the period we are talking abour (77- late 79) Wigan was far from being the number 1 venue. I, like many others felt that Wigan had lost its way. I was at that time visiting Wigan far less than before or after because the other venues mentioned were just as well attended & playing better music.So hardly hindsight.

Also you seem to forget that (especially in 1978) Wigan was awash with barb heads who wandered around like Zombies all night untill they collapsed - it was gross some nights , seeing people you knew in that state .Now I know other nighters had the barb problem as well, just not on that scale - it seemed easier to get decent gear at the other venues

Please dont get me wrong, I still rate The Casino as the best nighter I ever attended overall. But in the specific period we are discussing the crown had deffinatly slipped . I'm guessing that you didnt visit Cleggy, St Ives or Yate in their prime - correct me if I'm wrong, or you would twig what I'm saying.

I have no problems at all with proclaiming Wigan as my number 1 venue of all time, but to view it with rose tinted specks is a diservice to our scene's history .

Spot on...

Also throw into the mix Wakefield Unity and Peterborough Fleet nighters, had great nights at those venues.

As for Wigan being the best attended venue, 100 in on the saturday after the oldies nighters !! Had some great nights there, but Cleethorpes was always my favourite venue, towards the end Wigan was good for 4 hours a night

Edited November 30, 201113 yr by Awake 502

Eddie Foster - I never knew

Cleethorpes weren't running all nighters in 78/79 were they?

Cleethorpes weren't running all nighters in 78/79 were they?

Just alldayers if I remember right after late 77.......Same goes for St Ives 78/79 The Fleet & Yate were in full swing

Edited November 30, 201113 yr by martyn

Cleethorpes weren't running all nighters in 78/79 were they?

Nope there were not ..

Edited November 30, 201113 yr by Naughty Boy

chandlers was pat brady Not dicky ! At wigan

Yeh deffo Pat Brady although Andy riding previously owned it but only played it local something Pat as always acknowledged...

How about Wally Cox John V

Edited November 30, 201113 yr by Naughty Boy

Yeh deffo Pat Brady although Andy riding previously owned it but only played it local something Pat as always acknowledged...

How about Wally Cox John V

WALLY cox...hmmmmm

defoo a Mecca play late72...and by default someone probably may have payed in early 73 at the Torch????, deffo a big one at Va.Va's between The Torch and The Casino mate if that helps?

WALLY cox...hmmmmm

defoo a Mecca play late72...and by default someone probably may have payed in early 73 at the Torch????, deffo a big one at Va.Va's between The Torch and The Casino mate if that helps?

Also you seem to forget that (especially in 1978) Wigan was awash with barb heads who wandered around like Zombies all night untill they collapsed - it was gross some nights , seeing people you knew in that state .Now I know other nighters had the barb problem as well, just not on that scale - it seemed easier to get decent gear at the other venues

That's your opinion of the Casino at that time & you are fully entitled to it Martyn, but that's purely subjective, as for me, I'd get the train in at midnight with about 80+ or even a hundred strong crowd from Warrington alone, every week & I knew every single one of them practically, so it was nothing but fun for me & a good night, I might add, I didn't touch the gear (at that time) I went for the sounds & spend most of my time in the record bar anyway. The barb thing was a problem I agree. I do think you are doing it down a tad though, I have nothing but great memories.

Aid.

WALLY cox...hmmmmm

defoo a Mecca play late72...and by default someone probably may have payed in early 73 at the Torch????, deffo a big one at Va.Va's between The Torch and The Casino mate if that helps?

I did not see the Wally Cox bit at the end of the post.

I got mine in the summer of 73 (Va Va's time) for £2.

P.S. It still got played at Wigan when it opened.

Edited November 30, 201113 yr by davetay

That's your opinion of the Casino at that time & you are fully entitled to it Martyn, but that's purely subjective, as for me, I'd get the train in at midnight with about 80+ or even a hundred strong crowd from Warrington alone, every week & I knew every single one of them practically, so it was nothing but fun for me & a good night, I might add, I didn't touch the gear (at that time) I went for the sounds & spend most of my time in the record bar anyway. The barb thing was a problem I agree. I do think you are doing it down a tad though, I have nothing but great memories.

Aid.

Glad that that was your experience around that time, but how do you reach the conclusion that The Casino was still ruling the roost if you didn't attend the other nighters mentioned, as I & others on the thread obviously did, & have totally different views ? Wigan ran for 8 years an astounding feat, but for 3 of those 8 years there were other nighters that were, in my oppinion a better night out.

There was a strong contingent from Warrington who used to be regulars at St Ives , Cleggy & The Fleet BTW , if it was such a bed of roses at the time why did they travel 200 miles instead of 20 ?......Also used to meet up with them at Coalville, Derby , Notts Palais & The KGB in Sheffield on the odd occasion.

As I said I'm glad that you had a cracking time at Wigan during those years, just as I did in 76, early 77, 80 & 81

Eddie Holman - Where Im Not Wanted / Hurt .......Never remember hearing them anywhere except The Casino as newies

Edited November 30, 201113 yr by martyn

Cleethorpes weren't running all nighters in 78/79 were they?

77 78

WALLY COX,PEP,CATS,BIG SOUND.