Popular Post Chalky Posted December 26, 2015 Popular Post Share Posted December 26, 2015 View full article 5 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Dennisoul Posted December 26, 2015 Share Posted December 26, 2015 Outstanding article Chalky...beautifully written. well done mate Andy 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Popular Post Philt Posted December 26, 2015 Popular Post Share Posted December 26, 2015 Merry Christmas Chalks, nice work mate! Hats off to you for taking the [considerable] time and for having the foresight to document that period coherently and in detail - I can think of a few who would struggle, candles got well scorched, both ends lol. I'd be 16-17 when I started attending many of those nighters in the early eighties and while a bit of me will always be disappointed that I was too young to have attended WC or the Mecca, for obvious reasons, there's another bit that's eternally grateful for the fact that my taste in and attitude towards rare soul was shaped by those people and places in the early 80s. I loved the sense that something brilliant was happening and you were in on it which, I suspect, was how it might've felt right at the outset? Looking back, it could be a bit scary if you were a yoof from the sticks lol; people could be uncompromising and cut you little or no slack which, and this might sound strange, is a good thing I think. Call it elitism, snobbery or what you will but it definitely didn't always feel like an easy ride. That said, in a weird way that's part of what made it special and different and worth doing because if you stuck with it and 'got it' what you got was absolutely the best: music, people, places, experiences. Atb Phil 1 9 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Patto Posted December 26, 2015 Share Posted December 26, 2015 BRILLIANT article Chalky better then any representation of the period that i have seen in any book Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Dobber Posted December 26, 2015 Share Posted December 26, 2015 1 hour ago, PhilT said: Merry Christmas Chalks, nice work mate! Hats off to you for taking the [considerable] time and for having the foresight to document that period coherently and in detail - I can think of a few who would struggle, candles got well scorched, both ends lol. I'd be 16-17 when I started attending many of those nighters in the early eighties and while a bit of me will always be disappointed that I was too young to have attended WC or the Mecca, for obvious reasons, there's another bit that's eternally grateful for the fact that my taste in and attitude towards rare soul was shaped by those people and places in the early 80s. I loved the sense that something brilliant was happening and you were in on it which, I suspect, was how it might've felt right at the outset? Looking back, it could be a bit scary if you were a yoof from the sticks lol; people could be uncompromising and cut you little or no slack which, and this might sound strange, is a good thing I think. Call it elitism, snobbery or what you will but it definitely didn't always feel like an easy ride. That said, in a weird way that's part of what made it special and different and worth doing because if you stuck with it and 'got it' what you got was absolutely the best: music, people, places, experiences. Atb Phil well said phil,exactly the same for me word for word pal! 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Dobber Posted December 26, 2015 Share Posted December 26, 2015 1 hour ago, PhilT said: Merry Christmas Chalks, nice work mate! Hats off to you for taking the [considerable] time and for having the foresight to document that period coherently and in detail - I can think of a few who would struggle, candles got well scorched, both ends lol. I'd be 16-17 when I started attending many of those nighters in the early eighties and while a bit of me will always be disappointed that I was too young to have attended WC or the Mecca, for obvious reasons, there's another bit that's eternally grateful for the fact that my taste in and attitude towards rare soul was shaped by those people and places in the early 80s. I loved the sense that something brilliant was happening and you were in on it which, I suspect, was how it might've felt right at the outset? Looking back, it could be a bit scary if you were a yoof from the sticks lol; people could be uncompromising and cut you little or no slack which, and this might sound strange, is a good thing I think. Call it elitism, snobbery or what you will but it definitely didn't always feel like an easy ride. That said, in a weird way that's part of what made it special and different and worth doing because if you stuck with it and 'got it' what you got was absolutely the best: music, people, places, experiences. Atb Phil well said phil,exactly the same for me word for word pal! also chalky,you mention the carlton club,i attended a particular nite when sam ward,frances nero,were playing,i was a young lad and i dont remember to much about it other than wasnt lou ragland on aswell? i wasnt overlly impressed with the artists,probably cos they were singing to a backing tape,but i do remember sam wards big cowboy hat! haha Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Hooker1951 Posted December 26, 2015 Share Posted December 26, 2015 A nice peice of NS history well documented, and put together well by Chalky,. Just a little oversight Droylsden was promoted by Mark Robinson and myself 1990- 1992 when I was asked by Mark, Dennis and Pete could they take over, at the time due to promoting regular Sat allniters and Friday,s not fitting in to my work schedule I gave it to them on condition that they carried on running it using a familiar format that Mark and myself had been using. Well Done Chalky excellent read. keep on pressing on Mick L 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Popular Post Chalky Posted December 26, 2015 Author Popular Post Share Posted December 26, 2015 1 hour ago, PhilT said: Merry Christmas Chalks, nice work mate! Hats off to you for taking the [considerable] time and for having the foresight to document that period coherently and in detail - I can think of a few who would struggle, candles got well scorched, both ends lol. I'd be 16-17 when I started attending many of those nighters in the early eighties and while a bit of me will always be disappointed that I was too young to have attended WC or the Mecca, for obvious reasons, there's another bit that's eternally grateful for the fact that my taste in and attitude towards rare soul was shaped by those people and places in the early 80s. I loved the sense that something brilliant was happening and you were in on it which, I suspect, was how it might've felt right at the outset? Looking back, it could be a bit scary if you were a yoof from the sticks lol; people could be uncompromising and cut you little or no slack which, and this might sound strange, is a good thing I think. Call it elitism, snobbery or what you will but it definitely didn't always feel like an easy ride. That said, in a weird way that's part of what made it special and different and worth doing because if you stuck with it and 'got it' what you got was absolutely the best: music, people, places, experiences. Atb Phil I think people get too much slack these days, not just in music but life in general. Everyone expects everything for little effort, probably a result of all the reality TV shows. We now have a scene and life with little or no imagination and creativity. The knocks, set backs, having to learn lessons in life and for us collecting the hard way is as you say what shapes us.....it is what makes us stand out from the flock and I personally loved every minute of life back then. 1 4 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Down Under Soul Posted December 26, 2015 Share Posted December 26, 2015 Great reading Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Eddie Hubbard Posted December 26, 2015 Share Posted December 26, 2015 Fantastic article Chalky , a real tribute to those Promoters , DJ's ,collectors and dancers who kept the scene alive and refused to let the flame burn out ,well done .... 2 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 26, 2015 Share Posted December 26, 2015 Taut, well constructed and hugely informative article, I am still finding out so much about soul music, thankfully nearly all of the DJ's you mentioned are still active on the scene - Respect! Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
grouse Posted December 26, 2015 Share Posted December 26, 2015 Great piece if writing Chalky, as one of the many who carried on attending venues after the Casino closed you have written the story of my life. The quality of records played post 1980 was as good as anything played before and the turnover was at a frantic pace. Respect 2 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Chalky Posted December 26, 2015 Author Share Posted December 26, 2015 1 hour ago, Hooker1951 said: A nice peice of NS history well documented, and put together well by Chalky,. Just a little oversight Droylsden was promoted by Mark Robinson and myself 1990- 1992 when I was asked by Mark, Dennis and Pete could they take over, at the time due to promoting regular Sat allniters and Friday,s not fitting in to my work schedule I gave it to them on condition that they carried on running it using a familiar format that Mark and myself had been using. Well Done Chalky excellent read. keep on pressing on Mick L I will amend that oversight Mick and many thanks to you and everyone else for the comments, hugely appreciated. 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Frankie Crocker Posted December 26, 2015 Share Posted December 26, 2015 A hugely enjoyable read Chalkie. Maybe the basis of a book in future perhaps? 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Winsford Soul Posted December 26, 2015 Share Posted December 26, 2015 Chalks. wouldn't expect anything else of you mate. Superb . The story and soundtrack of my life post Wigan . Not that I would swap my 6 years at Wigan memories either. Hopefully See you tonight bud Steve 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Guest Byrney Posted December 26, 2015 Share Posted December 26, 2015 A great read Chalky for an era that some for their own reasons would like to pretend never happened. I started a thread a few years back around if a book on the scene post Wigan would be viable. I'd love to see one that captures that attitude we had then. A scene that didn't suffer fools but gave satisfaction back in spades. Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Chalky Posted December 26, 2015 Author Share Posted December 26, 2015 28 minutes ago, FRANKIE CROCKER said: A hugely enjoyable read Chalkie. Maybe the basis of a book in future perhaps? Maybe if I ever find the time, thanks for the comments, again hugely appreciated. 26 minutes ago, Winsford Soul said: Chalks. wouldn't expect anything else of you mate. Superb . The story and soundtrack of my life post Wigan . Not that I would swap my 6 years at Wigan memories either. Hopefully See you tonight bud Steve Thanks Steve. I doubt it tonight, we are flooded, well not us exactly but all the streets are under water, many houses and business flooded With more rain forecast it will only get worse. 2 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Billywhizz Posted December 26, 2015 Share Posted December 26, 2015 a nice piece of ns historywell done ,chalky 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Rhino Posted December 26, 2015 Share Posted December 26, 2015 great and well written piece and of history your incite to post wigan. the weekender scene was big with the upnorth promotions by alex lowes if i remember from fleetwood,morecambe pontins and eventually southport and 21 years later still going strong but has gone more modern/dance after a few years had some great times there. 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Jordirip Posted December 26, 2015 Share Posted December 26, 2015 I really enjoyed reading that Chalky. It just shows the dedication and passion of the many people involved and the emphasis on quality not compromise. 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Bigwheel Posted December 26, 2015 Share Posted December 26, 2015 Chalky, thanks for that wonderful read...You've actually covered my era in Soul..I missed the Casino..was a little but young, and didn't make it..so my starting time was events such as Rotherham, Hinckley etc...I remember the Ric Tic Revue so well - still have some pictures...Stafford was tops for me. We used to drive down from Edinburgh every two weeks - sometimes bus, usually car. The buzz and excitement of the "new" music at the time was thrilling. Shouts was the Scottish "Stafford" I guess...great set of local DJ's ...An honourable mention needs to go to their forerunner, the Glenrothes (Thornton) nighters ran by the Walls brothers..they kept soul alive in Scotland until the Shotts nighters came around. It came full circle for me recently when I went to the recent Thorley event in Crew "spirit: all nighter...again, lots of good music...keep on writing ! magic stuff! 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Windlesoul Posted December 26, 2015 Share Posted December 26, 2015 A truly enjoyable read Chalky. You refer to this as a brief overview - I say much more than that. Comprehensive documentation of this particular era of northern soul history has been a long time coming. Really appreciate all your hard work here. Thanks for taking the time to pull this together. 2 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Lucky One Posted December 26, 2015 Share Posted December 26, 2015 Brilliant read chalky, when you put the wigan era into context in relation to the history of scene, before and after it was a small part important but not the be all and end all of the scene, anyone who knows anything about it will always agree with that loved reading it. 2 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Seano Posted December 26, 2015 Share Posted December 26, 2015 Tremendous work here Chalky, great detail and it more than makes the point that you set out to document about life in the scene post-Wigan. 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
El Tad Posted December 27, 2015 Share Posted December 27, 2015 Excellent article on evolvement of the scene Chalky,enjoyed it immensely. Martin 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Pga1 Posted December 27, 2015 Share Posted December 27, 2015 Great article, got a question, anyone remember the nighters at Hinckley leisure centre in the late 8ts, was it run by Bradford hole in the wall soul club ? Remember seeing the tavares there at one. Cheers 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Ratt Posted December 27, 2015 Share Posted December 27, 2015 I have to say that I was one of the disillusioned soulies in the late 70's/early 80's, disillusioned with the music policy and the way that people started to filter away from the scene because of it. I look back on that time and find it impossible to fathom why anyone would want to radically change something that the dance floor proved was banging popular. But I stuck with the music at home (wasn't hard, it's a part of me) and have even been to a few nighters in recent years after a long layoff. Although my youth has long gone, it has been great to see the young of today as deliriously happy as we were then. It will never be different I think? Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Twoshoes Posted December 27, 2015 Share Posted December 27, 2015 Great read and I would imagine a real labour of love, much enjoyed thank you for taking the time. 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Chalky Posted December 27, 2015 Author Share Posted December 27, 2015 2 hours ago, Pga1 said: Great article, got a question, anyone remember the nighters at Hinckley leisure centre in the late 8ts, was it run by Bradford hole in the wall soul club ? Remember seeing the tavares there at one. Cheers Yes it was run by Phil Dick and Steve Croft, same promotion for Bradford Queens Hall and Leeds Astoria. @phild 2 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Guest Phil Armstrong Posted December 27, 2015 Share Posted December 27, 2015 Outstanding Piece Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Russ Vickers Posted December 27, 2015 Share Posted December 27, 2015 Loved it....great article on what were amazing times for cutting edge Rare Soul....this era pretty much defines me & my tastes to this day, I felt that by just attending these venues we were influencing the scene....without the venues of the 8ts, I truly believe that we wouldn't have the scene as we know it today.....thank you for documenting the era so well Chalky & a book would really ensure that these truly fantastic All Nighters could be documented for all time, as there is still a massive chasm in some peoples minds with regards to this era, a book would ensure that this hugely influential period of NS history was recorded accurately by a person/people that were there, as it is quite often shamefully ignored or written off as the 'lean times', when we know they were the best (better ?) times....thank you 3 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
grouse Posted December 27, 2015 Share Posted December 27, 2015 The 80's also saw the rise in popularity of the All-Dayer. A few I remember going to: Bankhall Miners, Blackpool Pier, Ritz, Highwayman's Halt at Snaith, run by Sam and Arthur Fenn. Todmorden (at the top of a very steep hill), and a bloody freezing New Years day one in Preston which was brilliant. Some of these might have been early 90's but my memory is mush. 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Chalky Posted December 27, 2015 Author Share Posted December 27, 2015 I will have a think about a book, will have to pester some people, again lol. Could take a while though. Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Steve L Posted December 27, 2015 Share Posted December 27, 2015 I wonder how many of the returnees of the last 15 years or so who are so entrenched in the mid 70s ever bother to read stuff like this?? Don't think Ive ever read threads along these lines where many people have commented about "realising how much good music they missed, it must have been great" etc 2 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Guest Byrney Posted December 27, 2015 Share Posted December 27, 2015 5 hours ago, ratt said: I have to say that I was one of the disillusioned soulies in the late 70's/early 80's, disillusioned with the music policy and the way that people started to filter away from the scene because of it. I look back on that time and find it impossible to fathom why anyone would want to radically change something that the dance floor proved was banging popular. But I stuck with the music at home (wasn't hard, it's a part of me) and have even been to a few nighters in recent years after a long layoff. Although my youth has long gone, it has been great to see the young of today as deliriously happy as we were then. It will never be different I think? I've read before that some left the scene in the early 80s as disillusioned with the music. But in my experience most I knocked around with left because they had 2 or 3 years on the scene and decided they'd settle down with the wife and kids, do the local pub etc. For me and for many others the music was as good if not better than what went before e.g look at Butch's playlist in Chalky's article. 1 hour ago, Steve L said: I wonder how many of the returnees of the last 15 years or so who are so entrenched in the mid 70s ever bother to read stuff like this?? Don't think Ive ever read threads along these lines where many people have commented about "realising how much good music they missed, it must have been great" etc Not once mate - which is incredible really. Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
SOULCENTRAL Posted December 27, 2015 Share Posted December 27, 2015 1 hour ago, Steve L said: I wonder how many of the returnees of the last 15 years or so who are so entrenched in the mid 70s ever bother to read stuff like this?? Don't think Ive ever read threads along these lines where many people have commented about "realising how much good music they missed, it must have been great" etc HI STEVE, I did and thoroughly enjoyed the read. Did not bother too much with soul events post 1982, due to full on commitment to home and family life, and was very intrigued and enlightened by Chalk's brief but detailed descriptions of events and the characters/dj's that have contributed to the soul scene of today. A big part of soul history that I have never experienced or had little knowledge of, so put me down for the full rendition when Chalky decides to write the book. 2 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Fuzzj Posted December 27, 2015 Share Posted December 27, 2015 best venue summary I've ever read Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Soulandy Posted December 28, 2015 Share Posted December 28, 2015 Enjoyed that, excellent stuff. Although I didn't travel all over I had great memories of windsford Hyde Keele droylsden Manchester's cis and a few other localish ones. Great to be part of it Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Lionelonthevinyl Posted December 28, 2015 Share Posted December 28, 2015 19 hours ago, chalky said: Yes it was run by Phil Dick and Steve Croft, same promotion for Bradford Queens Hall and Leeds Astoria. @phild Great read thank you.....I always thought it was Chris King who ran/promoted Hinckley do's in the 80's...you learn something new every day....kind regards..Rob Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Chalky Posted December 28, 2015 Author Share Posted December 28, 2015 2 hours ago, Lionelonthevinyl said: Great read thank you.....I always thought it was Chris King who ran/promoted Hinckley do's in the 80's...you learn something new every day....kind regards..Rob He did but earlier in the 80's,,,,,Ric Tic Review and the Weekend Soul Club etc. 2 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Chalky Posted December 28, 2015 Author Share Posted December 28, 2015 If you have a venue or a memory that you feel should be included please get in touch with some details. Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
viphitman Posted December 28, 2015 Share Posted December 28, 2015 Absolutely fab article. The perception of the post wigan ‘’dark years of northern soul’’ also seem to ignore the spreading of Northern Soul all over Europe and beyond. Not by expats like in Australia but by people from the local mod scooter skin and 60’s scene in Germany. Italy. Spain, Austria, Sweden, Denmark, USA…..since the early 80’s 2 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Mister Fish Posted December 28, 2015 Share Posted December 28, 2015 History personified. Brave and successful writing. Well done Chalky. 2 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 29, 2015 Share Posted December 29, 2015 Great article, it's about time the scene was documented in more detail after 1981. I also remember the great allnighters at Manchesters Ritz in the 1990's, especially the rarest of the rare nights. Great atmosphere, some nights reminding me of the atmosphere in the Casino. Also the Concord Suite, Droylsden allnighters in the 1990's, when Butch was a frequent DJ there. Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Zed1 Posted December 29, 2015 Share Posted December 29, 2015 Nice well written piece Chalky. Sadly many on the scene today are clueless to what happened post Youth Club, let alone post Wigan 3 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Soulandy Posted December 30, 2015 Share Posted December 30, 2015 Also remember all nighters at the Horwich leisure centre and soul nights at westhaughton cricket club being very good around the early 90's 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Chalky Posted December 30, 2015 Author Share Posted December 30, 2015 (edited) 2 hours ago, soulandy said: Also remember all nighters at the Horwich leisure centre and soul nights at westhaughton cricket club being very good around the early 90's Yep I've Westhoughton and The Orwell to add at some point. Edited December 30, 2015 by chalky Louis reprimanded me for me spelling lol 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Louis Posted December 30, 2015 Share Posted December 30, 2015 It is spelt Westhoughton. Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Chalky Posted December 30, 2015 Author Share Posted December 30, 2015 3 minutes ago, Louis said: It is spelt Westhoughton. Got to mention that place as well 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Jules Posted December 30, 2015 Share Posted December 30, 2015 a great read, enjoyed that chalky, thanks for the effort! 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
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