I never went to Wigan - wish I had as I am sure on the good nights it was the best of the best.

 

All the pictures I have seen confirm that at least 99% of the attendees were mid-teens to early 20's.

 

But was there anyone older?

 

Anyone from the early days of the Wheel?

 

Any older "plastic gangster" types?

 

Any older loner types. I used to go to the occasional place back then where there would be some middle-aged loner. In a world of their own but getting down to the music.

 

Just wondered.

 

MB

 

P.S. The occasional sensible reply would be appreciated.

On 20/01/2014 at 06:58, GrayM said:

 

Came on early to tone down my comments and language of last night, if I offeneded anyone then I apologise.However to clarify.

 

My main concern with the thread was that having read the references to Ford, Wilson and then Hemingway it was going to develop into a celeb spotting fest - something that was done to death some time ago.

 

Regarding the old guard, I remember meeting a lot of people from all over the country who had a distinguished pedigree on the scene and I'm sure most of the younger element who attended knew them by sight or reputation from their own localities.

 

I was 21 when I went in Sept 73  and judging by the age of some of the people who have posted would be considered older. The old gurd I refer to had clocked up a lot more miles than me. Don't believe in the name dropping thing but needless to say the corridor to/from Mr Ms and the record bar were a haven from Hawaii 5-0 and My Heart's Symphony. But again that's also another thread.

Plenty of old Torch faces at the Casino in the early days. Only a few real Wheel veterans though. Few black guys also. I can only recall three, Caesar from Yorkshire, and two of the scarier older guys who used to inhabit the M's corridor, Robbo and Clarkie. Both were cool guys if you knew them, but they scared the crap out of everyone else.

4 hours ago, Joey said:

Booper. Knew all the "wrong 'uns" from before Wigan opened. I came back on the scene in the nineties, and pissed myself at some on the dance floor who were trying to spin. Now this guy COULD!!!! Made figure skaters took like amateurs. 

not seen him since the casino ,sideburns ,backdrops ,sleeveless vests ,arms and legs flying !!!!!!

 

 

On 10 January 2014 at 13:25, MBarrett said:

I never went to Wigan - wish I had as I am sure on the good nights it was the best of the best.

 

All the pictures I have seen confirm that at least 99% of the attendees were mid-teens to early 20's.

 

But was there anyone older?

 

Anyone from the early days of the Wheel?

 

Any older "plastic gangster" types?

 

Any older loner types. I used to go to the occasional place back then where there would be some middle-aged loner. In a world of their own but getting down to the music.

 

Just wondered.

 

MB

 

P.S. The occasional sensible reply would be appreciated.

hi i started going to all nighters at 14 an half in 1965 when speed was not illegal, at the mojo in sheffieldmy first wheel card (blue)ran out january 1st 1966 .i spent 2 years going between the mojo until it stopped niters and kept going to the wheel on and off till it closed .in 68 i started going to various nighters , tinned chicken an bin lid castle ford etc. on top of these the nottingham nighters at the beachcomber also the damp dungeon nighters . the night owl in leicester was another nighter until it burnt down dump like the birmingham cellar nighters, i even went to a nighter at earls barton in northhampton it was at a dog racing track but good some sounds i had and never heard again, the worlds best all nighter was another chris burton club at a fabulous country club at draycott near derby a truly wonderful night of underfloor glass lit dance floor and the rarest of all allnighters really clean toilets!!!!!! till it got closed by derby squad! chris burton also ran the attic all nighter till again the d.s closed it 1969 in doncaster,i went to so many other nighters from cambridge st ives rugby up the junction chester samanthas kgb both sheffield and wigan after the golden torch got destroyed the rest is lost by amphetamine derivatives , i started with purple hearts and blues green an clears to sulphate late 70 s ritalyn in the 2014 last nighter at Samantha's now I am  67 and wasted the last 4 years!!!!!!!! just wish I had had a camera crew to capture all the crap i came out with  in my verbalising !

 

 

i want to go back there again!!!!!!!!

 

Edited March 30, 20187 yr by roggert

The Casino resembled in 1975 the biggest youth club in the world enjoying theirselves , nothing wrong with that if you were in that age group, very few people over the age of 22 the majority were aged between 15 to 19  it was part of their youthful exuberance and their love of good music plus the help of a few chemicals that made many into the NS characters with a real taste of real NS later on until today, I called in the summer oof 75 and although only 23 felt like I was very grown up , not uncomfortable, just to grown up 10 years later that didn't matter because all thos kids were grown up, Everybody has to start somewhere and the Casino was that for them ! The Wheel however always seemed grown up, I worked over in GERMANY in the mid 70's and their was a great underground scene going on there incorporating Soul and what became later in the 1980's popcorn which felt right for me at the time a lot deeper less superficial and more grown up but the Casino at the time just like a lot of clubs around the country in a lot of different formulas was a rite of passage for the youth of the day as regards Soul Music it's called diversity as long as all roads lead th Rome

ML

40 minutes ago, Hooker1951 said:

The Casino resembled in 1975 the biggest youth club in the world enjoying theirselves , nothing wrong with that if you were in that age group, very few people over the age of 22 the majority were aged between 15 to 19  it was part of their youthful exuberance and their love of good music plus the help of a few chemicals that made many into the NS characters with a real taste of real NS later on until today, I called in the summer oof 75 and although only 23 felt like I was very grown up , not uncomfortable, just to grown up 10 years later that didn't matter because all thos kids were grown up, Everybody has to start somewhere and the Casino was that for them ! The Wheel however always seemed grown up, I worked over in GERMANY in the mid 70's and their was a great underground scene going on there incorporating Soul and what became later in the 1980's popcorn which felt right for me at the time a lot deeper less superficial and more grown up but the Casino at the time just like a lot of clubs around the country in a lot of different formulas was a rite of passage for the youth of the day as regards Soul Music it's called diversity as long as all roads lead th Rome

ML

I wonder what people would think today if they went to an all nighter and it was full of 15 to 18 year olds ?

Maybe need 2 scenes side by side one for young to learn the ropes and one for the old guard....

 

Edited March 31, 20187 yr by dylan

2 hours ago, dylan said:

I wonder what people would think today if they went to an all nighter and it was full of 15 to 18 year olds ?

Maybe need 2 scenes side by side one for young to learn the ropes and one for the old guard....

 

I wonder what the 15-18 year olds would think if they went to a nighter full of 60 year olds...

1 minute ago, Steve L said:

I wonder what the 15-18 year olds would think if they went to a nighter full of 60 year olds...

Oh i’m Sure they’d feel like they found a cutting edge youth culture 

2 hours ago, dylan said:

Maybe need 2 scenes side by side one for young to learn the ropes and one for the old guard....

 

Keep it fun. Don't turn it into an apprenticeship or a degree course. LOL!

16 hours ago, roggert said:

not seen him since the casino ,sideburns ,backdrops ,sleeveless vests ,arms and legs flying !!!!!!

 

 

Frank one of Widnes finest. is still about on the scene.  Turns up at various venues in the North West now and again 

Steve  ( another of Widnes finest  ) 

20 minutes ago, MBarrett said:

Keep it fun. Don't turn it into an apprenticeship or a degree course. LOL!

Oh yes it’s got to be fun.

 

once it stops being fun it’s time to stop.

21 minutes ago, MBarrett said:

Keep it fun. Don't turn it into an apprenticeship or a degree course. LOL!

There is a certain rites of passage on this scene though.

 

not that it is a bad thing.

Just now, dylan said:

There is a certain rites of passage on this scene though.

 

not that it is a bad thing.

I'm still on my rite of passage after 43 years going nighters and still loving the journey.  It continues tonight 

Steve 

1 minute ago, Winsford Soul said:

I'm still on my rite of passage after 43 years going nighters and still loving the journey.  It continues tonight 

Steve 

I’ve been away for a while but starting to get the itch to get to a nighter again.

 

i don’t think you ever get to a point where you know them all.  So many records to get through....

 

have a good night.

13 minutes ago, dylan said:

I’ve been away for a while but starting to get the itch to get to a nighter again.

 

i don’t think you ever get to a point where you know them all.  So many records to get through....

 

have a good night.

Thank you Sir 

Steve 

3 hours ago, dylan said:

I wonder what people would think today if they went to an all nighter and it was full of 15 to 18 year olds ?

 

 

If I'd have turned up at Station Rd in 77 to be greeted by a room full of people old enough to be my Grandparents, I'd think I'd have very quickly found another genre of music to follow.

12 minutes ago, Zed1 said:

If I'd have turned up at Station Rd in 77 to be greeted by a room full of people old enough to be my Grandparents, I'd think I'd have very quickly found another genre of music to follow.

Yes true.  I think there is some merit in having a younger scene within a scene if that is possible in any kind of way.

 

i do feel soul music stands alone in its appeal and longevity.  I can’t think of another genre as good.

 

apologies for going a little of topic but it’s all age related.

Edited March 31, 20187 yr by dylan

8 minutes ago, dylan said:

Yes true.  I think there is some merit in having a younger scene within a scene if that is possible in any kind of way.

 

 

I think it's Fab that there is a younger generation getting into the music but I have to be honest and say it does puzzle me a little why the 17/18 year old's of today would want to spend their evenings hanging around with a bunch of half pi55ed pensioners dressed in badly fitting fashion from 45 years ago.... no matter how good the music.

I think I speak for many of us that back in the day part of the attraction was the 'Scene' itself, ie a cool underground music scene that most people didn't know even existed. Travelling to unknown towns on public transport late on Saturday nights with pockets full of tablets designed to avoid a Restful nights sleep only added to the kudos. 

Hair and waistlines aside, the biggest thing missing from today's scene for me is that Energy we had back then when first discovering this music. Personally I think the 'Kids' should have their own events and find their own way and anyone over 25 should be banned. 

5 minutes ago, Zed1 said:

I think it's Fab that there is a younger generation getting into the music but I have to be honest and say it does puzzle me a little why the 17/18 year old's of today would want to spend their evenings hanging around with a bunch of half pi55ed pensioners dressed in badly fitting fashion from 45 years ago.... no matter how good the music.

I think I speak for many of us that back in the day part of the attraction was the 'Scene' itself, ie a cool underground music scene that most people didn't know even existed. Travelling to unknown towns on public transport late on Saturday nights with pockets full of tablets designed to avoid a Restful nights sleep only added to the kudos. 

Hair and waistlines aside, the biggest thing missing from today's scene for me is that Energy we had back then when first discovering this music. Personally I think the 'Kids' should have their own events and find their own way and anyone over 25 should be banned. 

Yes agree particulary the last paragraph.

 

Not sure it could ever happen now though.

 

cloest I saw to this was my trips over to Europe where it was nearly all younger crowd.

8 minutes ago, Zed1 said:

I think it's Fab that there is a younger generation getting into the music but I have to be honest and say it does puzzle me a little why the 17/18 year old's of today would want to spend their evenings hanging around with a bunch of half pi55ed pensioners dressed in badly fitting fashion from 45 years ago.... no matter how good the music.

I think I speak for many of us that back in the day part of the attraction was the 'Scene' itself, ie a cool underground music scene that most people didn't know even existed. Travelling to unknown towns on public transport late on Saturday nights with pockets full of tablets designed to avoid a Restful nights sleep only added to the kudos. 

Hair and waistlines aside, the biggest thing missing from today's scene for me is that Energy we had back then when first discovering this music. Personally I think the 'Kids' should have their own events and find their own way and anyone over 25 should be banned. 

Made me laugh but soooooooo true.

I was born in 1952 so first got into soul music in the second half of the 60s.

Everything I did and everywhere I went was with my own peer group - plus or minus maybe a couple of years.

The artists were the age of older brothers and sisters - not parents and heaven forbid grandparents.

Any young person not following a similar rite of passage nowadays strikes me as a bit weird.

On 10/01/2014 at 14:14, bo diddley said:

There were these types.... see post 56 on previous thread

 

 

Earning a bit of overtime??

 

 

That was my girlfriend Helen Moore from prestatyn in the Welsh corner believe me she was under 50 r.i.p girl gone too soon x

On 10/01/2014 at 14:14, bo diddley said:

There were these types.... see post 56 on previous thread

 

 

Earning a bit of overtime??

 

 

That was my girlfriend Helen Moore from prestatyn in the Welsh corner believe me she was under 50 r.i.p girl gone too soon x

Whilst only 19 in 78i first went in 76,but with remarks in an early thread about a bloke with a pipe,in 78-79 trevor ( my mums boss pharmacist) and no he didn't do gear,used to take me and my girlfriend here he was mesmorised  by the cas club,he never danced he just stood there with his pipe and watch,wander around to Ms at the time I would say he was at least 50 downside he didn't wear glasses ,not only that wasn't Mrs woods the oldest there ?? 

A candidate for one of the oldest regulars would have to be Brian Rae, and his wife Madeline. When I first started going, in 1974, when I was 17, they were both 10 years older, at 27, although I didn't think of them as old at all.

Got to know them both over the years, and was one of their roadies/groupies (carrying Brian record box mainly) and went everywhere with them in the 70's.

Me and four others went to the local scrap yard and paid a £10 for a hillman imp, just so we could get to Wigan, no tax no insurance, no mot, no licence. And picked up my mate who had broke his leg and in a cask. Got to Wigan had a Brill night. When we left to go to the car it was the only one left on the car park, when we finally got us all in cops surrounded us and my mate had hid all his gear down his plaster cask, they never found it, but we got nicked for the car, Brill times 

Me and four others went to the local scrap yard and paid a £10 for a hillman imp, just so we could get to Wigan, no tax no insurance, no mot, no licence. And picked up my mate who had broke his leg and in a cask. Got to Wigan had a Brill night. When we left to go to the car it was the only one left on the car park, when we finally got us all in cops surrounded us and my mate had hid all his gear down his plaster cask, they never found it, but we got nicked for the car, Brill times 

Does anybody remember a guy dancing with a purple vest on at Wigan, never knew his name we only knew him as purple vest

Was it Prince? "Purple vest, pu-u-rple vest" 🎶

18 hours ago, Stephen Houghton said:

Me and four others went to the local scrap yard and paid a £10 for a hillman imp, just so we could get to Wigan, no tax no insurance, no mot, no licence. And picked up my mate who had broke his leg and in a cask. Got to Wigan had a Brill night. When we left to go to the car it was the only one left on the car park, when we finally got us all in cops surrounded us and my mate had hid all his gear down his plaster cask, they never found it, but we got nicked for the car, Brill times 

I remember that well 😂🤣✊x

1 was 15 , when first went in 73 , looking back (as best i can)the only ancient people i remember would have been in the early 20,s . 

I was 20 in ‘73, but looked about 15. Shy. Stood me in good stead later in life and now though, but still a loner.

On ‎30‎/‎03‎/‎2018 at 17:43, SHEFFSOUL said:

this looks like it might be him..bottom just right of centre with white shirt..

Bloody Nora, Kev Smith & Brian Hassin  😄

 

1 hour ago, Citizen P said:

Bloody Nora, Kev Smith & Brian Hassin  😄

 

Correctamundo! Mad Malcolm sat just in front of them, Graham Anderson on the right, trying his best to chat up my Girlfriend, Julie. Pic taken by me summer 74,  Rose Rooms all-dayer in Burnley. 

Went to Wigan 3 times in the late 70s. I was 30 in 1979!!

Old Bill was there. White male, 35-45 years old, 225 lbs, pot-bellied, long greasy hair, dressed in a Hepworths anorak, Co-op jeans, polo neck pullover, Clarkes shoes. Shifty looking, known to loiter outside toilets and unlit car parks. Often seen rummaging through adidas bags...

Going to Wigan from day one at the age of 17 with mates of similar age from Liverpool.

But we were not allowed to sit near our peer group of older brothers and mates that got us into the music and had been regular Wheelites , as we where young puppies, even though they where only 6/7 years older they seemed old men. 

Mad Sam was always handy for all our  gear needs and a once over to check records before parting with cash . 

Ahhh bring back those days please 

10 minutes ago, stevegods said:

Going to Wigan from day one at the age of 17 with mates of similar age from Liverpool.

But we were not allowed to sit near our peer group of older brothers and mates that got us into the music and had been regular Wheelites , as we where young puppies, even though they where only 6/7 years older they seemed old men. 

Mad Sam was always handy for all our  gear needs and a once over to check records before parting with cash . 

Ahhh bring back those days please 

Steve.  Trust you are well and safe mate. Please name them. Only knew Jimmy Buff as a Scouser that went mate,  plenty from Runcorn new estates  though.  Southport, , Wirral dont count as they not Scousers 

Steve mate , not so great here to be honest , off work with bad back. Went into spasm beginning of last week and on heavy painkillers. Time is the healer I guess ... and Liverpool scraping a win . I hope all ok with you and misses.

As for our lot, well our crew was Phil Butler, younger brother of “ Mad Same “ Steve Butler ..A guy called Cuddles from Chester Collage . Martin Christie , who ended up promoting a few Northern events and big “Boods” Mick McMahon who was his frontman and ended up being a big wig at EMI. 

Mad Sam’s crowd where a mixed bunch from all over ... not really Liverpool and not really mates with us. Dave Valencia from Anglesey - “Smokey “ from Wolverhampton - Dave Price from Llandudno - Arnie Clarke from Halewood - Tony Hawthorn from Ormskirk but know Tony well. 

They where all older and consequently we didn’t figure in an of their plans. Best mate with Sam’s younger brother Phil and we occasionally manage to get him out to Prestatyn Weekend or the odd nighter , that’s when he’s mentally well enough .. too much drugs have taken their toll I’m afraid . Great lad though and I wish I had his old record collection.  

 

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone

12 minutes ago, stevegods said:

Steve mate , not so great here to be honest , off work with bad back. Went into spasm beginning of last week and on heavy painkillers. Time is the healer I guess ... and Liverpool scraping a win . I hope all ok with you and misses.

As for our lot, well our crew was Phil Butler, younger brother of “ Mad Same “ Steve Butler ..A guy called Cuddles from Chester Collage . Martin Christie , who ended up promoting a few Northern events and big “Boods” Mick McMahon who was his frontman and ended up being a big wig at EMI. 

Mad Sam’s crowd where a mixed bunch from all over ... not really Liverpool and not really mates with us. Dave Valencia from Anglesey - “Smokey “ from Wolverhampton - Dave Price from Llandudno - Arnie Clarke from Halewood - Tony Hawthorn from Ormskirk but know Tony well. 

They where all older and consequently we didn’t figure in an of their plans. Best mate with Sam’s younger brother Phil and we occasionally manage to get him out to Prestatyn Weekend or the odd nighter , that’s when he’s mentally well enough .. too much drugs have taken their toll I’m afraid . Great lad though and I wish I had his old record collection.  

 

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone

Good friends with Dave Price , Smokey and Arnie Clarke  ( RIP).  Him and Wino ( RIP) from Warrington where inseparable and permanently up to no good. both recently passed away.  Some of the others,  i recognise the names but dont think i know them. 

All good here thanks mate as ever.  ( you know me just keep on truckin ) playing out when and where I can.

Not bothered about the football result last night with Pete Coulson passing away putting it into perspective. Take it easy 

 

Yea , I heard about Pete, although I didn’t know him ... all of these things put life into perspective. My condolences to all of his family. 

Spoke to Sam today and he’s not well at all, so pass on to anyone that may know him that he’s not in great shape. Paranoia and too much time living alone , together with still throwing too much gear down his neck on his own. I try my best to help him out and keep him grounded as possible as he more than anyone was responsible for me getting into the music as well as surfing and skateboarding. 

Just need to get back on a board 

On ‎10‎/‎01‎/‎2014 at 13:25, MBarrett said:

I never went to Wigan - wish I had as I am sure on the good nights it was the best of the best.

 

All the pictures I have seen confirm that at least 99% of the attendees were mid-teens to early 20's.

 

But was there anyone older?

 

Anyone from the early days of the Wheel?

 

Any older "plastic gangster" types?

 

Any older loner types. I used to go to the occasional place back then where there would be some middle-aged loner. In a world of their own but getting down to the music.

 

Just wondered.

 

MB

 

P.S. The occasional sensible reply would be appreciated.

Answer to above question......I think the guy was called;farmer John..Newquay way..mate ov Kev Burdon etc...he was at last Chateau Imp..nice bloke.xx.Burt

 

 

Edited April 8, 20196 yr by burt weedon

On 10/01/2014 at 19:58, back street blue said:

 

.....as I am the only one who's said they were 15/16 years old at Wigan, I take it the above is directed at me?

 

.....I said that "we were just kids to the majority in attendance" so no, you weren't ancient, it was predominately your age group that I remember being there pre-1976.

 

.....that said, the average age was definitely lower after 77/8 from my recollection.

 

I went with my mates from Middleton initially, then later with my mates from Shaw and Oldham, namely Chaddy, Lemmy, Ronnie, Douglas, Mick Malone, Carl Robb, Carl Holden, Pete Wright and Bry Millard.

 

Amongst the younger lads from our end who went regularly post '77 were Neil Horseman and Nidge Worsnip and his late brother Craig (RIP)....and the evergreen Ronnie (Hanley) who never stopped going from start to finish.

 

Not blaggin' you mate. that would be pointless 

Yep regular Sep 73 to June 75,  aged15 to 17 when joining the forces stopped regular attendance.

Lots my age back then and lots older, we had crews then like now, it was pretty much all about the dance then though with no soul police sat on their butts on all night with nowt better to do than moan. It was and still about that sweet addiction to that dancefloor and getting lost in the music, and it still is!

The only pills taken now are painkillers for me dodgy old knees and back but still  living for the weekend on it like a car bonnet 😊

See ya on the dancefloor!

Presumably all the 16 year old Wiganites that attended the Casino from 1973 must have looked pretty old to the 16 year olds that only started going in 1980.

Just saying like 😉