for me ub40 st georges hall Bradford prob 81/82     jnr walker leeds cats whiskers prob 77/78

lawrence

Edited December 4, 20168 yr by algsoul

Tough question which if I was to answer again I'd probably give a different answer. First name to spring to mind was Phillip Mitchell, saw him early 70's when he took Al Greene's place on a tour for a couple of nights, I'd never heard of him but he was so good that night he more than made up for the disappointment of no Al Greene. Maybe a false memory . I used to go to quite a lot of gigs in Manchester one memorable one not soul related was seeing Hot Chocolate at the Free Trade Hall ,they had a power cut just as the boys were about to come on stage, Errol and the guitarist, can't think of his name came on and did about half an hour of an acoustic set that was brilliant while the problem was fixed well before unplugged became a thing.  if pushed to go for just the one Gladys Knight circa 71 Odeon Manchester.

The Jam on each of the thirty+ times I saw them ... closely followed by Nine Below Zero who are thankfully still doing the business to this day ... 

Soul-wise it would have to be the gentleman who was Edwin Starr .

All between say 74/76 and not in any order of preference.

Santana, with support band Earth Wind & Fire. (I kid you not).

Kool & The Gang.

Ohio Players.

Weather Report.

Stanley Clarke

9 minutes ago, Kegsy said:

Santana, with support band Earth Wind & Fire. (I kid you not).

I wasn't a great fan of Santana only went for EWF, from memory wasn't it the year EWF had the drummer going up in the air and the drum kit spinning round still playing? Looks like we went to a few of the same gigs War and Kool if yours were at the Free Trade Hall, 

1 minute ago, Twoshoes said:

I wasn't a great fan of Santana only went for EWF, from memory wasn't it the year EWF had the drummer going up in the air and the drum kit spinning round still playing? Looks like we went to a few of the same gigs War and Kool if yours were at the Free Trade Hall, 

Yep that's the one at the Free Trade Hall, I saw Kool in Dunstable. 

2 minutes ago, Kegsy said:

I saw Kool in Dunstable. 

Kool and the Gang at the Free Trade Hall was the last soul related gig held there until Denise Williams supported by Lenny Williams some years after, at the Kool gig they invited people up on the stage to dance and I got out of hand , they had several instrument's  stolen ,one if my memory is correct a gold flute worth quite a lot of money. The management banned Soul artists from appearing there until the Williams gig. Lenny blew Denise out of the water but as she was topping the charts at that time few in the audience knew who Lenny was, he promoted his first solo album but did a great version of So Very Hard To go as a tribute to his time with Tower of Power who I also sat at the FTH.

1 minute ago, Twoshoes said:

Kool and the Gang at the Free Trade Hall was the last soul related gig held there until Denise Williams supported by Lenny Williams some years after, at the Kool gig they invited people up on the stage to dance and I got out of hand , they had several instrument's  stolen ,one if my memory is correct a gold flute worth quite a lot of money. The management banned Soul artists from appearing there until the Williams gig. Lenny blew Denise out of the water but as she was topping the charts at that time few in the audience knew who Lenny was, he promoted his first solo album but did a great version of So Very Hard To go as a tribute to his time with Tower of Power who I also sat at the FTH.

Hell of a brass section.

Village people at the pink Coconut, Brighton

Stevie Wonder at the Estadio do Restelo, Lisbon in August 1984.  The ship I was serving on at the time came alongside for the weekend.  Me and a mate noticed a concert poster when we went ashore on the first afternoon so grabbed ourselves a couple of tickets for that evening.  Stevie was late coming on stage but made up for it with a two and a half hour set.

Gil Scott Heron for me.He was great live.

Osibisa , criss cross rhythm's that explode with happiness. They were brilliant

Millie Jackson. Victoria Apollo. Brilliant! Early eighties

10 hours ago, Kegsy said:

All between say 74/76 and not in any order of preference.

Santana, with support band Earth Wind & Fire. (I kid you not).

Kool & The Gang.

Ohio Players.

Weather Report.

Stanley Clarke

Went to the Ohio Players concert at The Free Trade Hall in 76 and saw Earth Wind + Fire at Stafford Bingley Hall in 79 and NEC Birmingham 81 mind blowing stage show both times!!

13 hours ago, Kegsy said:

Yep that's the one at the Free Trade Hall, I saw Kool in Dunstable. 

I'm dead jealous, on those gigs, anyone ever see Malo, did they tour in this country?

4 hours ago, NCFC said:

Gil Scott Heron for me.He was great live.

Saw Gill in the mid 9o's, first time he didn't turn up- Gilly's rock world in Manchester. The midnite express did a free gig and were awesome on there own, he played a re scheduled gig a month later, and to be honest it was a bit plat, he was flawless but just kinda played his set, it didn't have the spontaneity of the band playing alone.

5 hours ago, geeselad said:

Saw Gill in the mid 9o's, first time he didn't turn up- Gilly's rock world in Manchester. The midnite express did a free gig and were awesome on there own, he played a re scheduled gig a month later, and to be honest it was a bit plat, he was flawless but just kinda played his set, it didn't have the spontaneity of the band playing alone.

Was around 86-87 when i saw him.

Sister Sledge - UEA Norwich, in the early 80s

12 hours ago, NCFC said:

Gil Scott Heron for me.He was great live.

I saw him too, but not back in the day, Venue Victoria 1982, he was brilliant, but the beer was four times the price it was up north.

The Crusader's. Saw

 them a few times at The California, Dunstable. Coming a good second & third would be Roy Ayres and Hubert Laws.

11 minutes ago, britishbarry said:

The Crusader's. Saw

 them a few times at The California, Dunstable. Coming a good second & third would be Roy Ayres and Hubert Laws.

I'd forgotten them, saw them in Newcastle. Thanks for the post I've been racking my brains to remember the name of the venue in Dunstable where I saw Kool.

23 hours ago, Kegsy said:

All between say 74/76 and not in any order of preference.

Santana, with support band Earth Wind & Fire. (I kid you not).

Kool & The Gang.

Ohio Players.

Weather Report.

Stanley Clarke

Around that time Santana were doing more jazz-funk type material, so not such a surprise that they would be paired with EWF - from Welcome (1973) to the solo "Swing of Delight" (1980) he was doing a lot of stuff that his later rock fans would sneer at and which is well worth checking out. Must have been a great gig.

For me, Bobby Womack at the Town & Country Club Kentish Town (1990), Roy Ayers several times, Jazz Crusaders with Wayne Henderson twice, Jimmy Smith and Phil Upchurch with Jerry Gonzales' Fort Apache Band in support at the Empire Ballroom (1990), Grover Washington Jr. (Glasgow, 1992), Manu Dibango several times, John Martyn several times including a great night at the Dominion Theatre on Tottenham Court Road (1990), Alexander O'Neal at the Glasgow Pavilion (c.1998)

The Blackpool LSW performances that deserve a mention include Michael Henderson and Jean Carn, One Way & Al Hudson with Alicia Myers, Cool Million, and a shared bill with Sheree Brown, Keni Burke and the Valentine Brothers. Oh yes, and Rahsaan Patterson, who took no prisoners.

Did see a version of EWF (without Maurice) play in the converted garden shed known as Glasgow's Exhibition Centre in 1999. Barry White was supposed to be on the bill and cancelled, being replaced By a pre-recording backed version of Shalamar. Hmmm. Not such a great night. Also saw Whitney Houston there a couple of times, first in 1986 and then in 1991. The difference between those two gigs was already suggesting problems - on the second she was constantly walking off for costume changes and left her brother without intro to sing "What's going on" solo. He was very good btw. Gerald Albright was in the backing band. Also saw him years later playing in Phil Collins' band, and say what you say about Phil, he puts on a good concert.

24 minutes ago, Mickey Finn said:

Grover Washington Jr. (Glasgow, 1992),

Another one I saw later on, Blackpool (Winter Gardens ??????) late 90's probably. Played a marathon, nigh on 2 hour set, and never missed a note, top night !.

21 hours ago, Kegsy said:

Hell of a brass section.

Tower of Power gig was a great gig,again at the FTH, they were in a promotional tour of Warner Bros acts,two nights,acts included Tower, Bonaroo, Little Feet, Doobie brothers,Graham Central Station, couple of others I think, we had tickets fir the Friday,couldn't afford the Thursday fir Tower of Power then on a whim thought can't miss this set of six to catch bus into Manchester,they say timing is everything,got to the FTH guy says to us got tickets, I ask how much he puts two in my hand says compliments of Warner Bros, six rows from the front. Near the end of the gig American road sign drops down above the stage for Oakland. Brass section leave the stage and come into the audience up and down the centre aisle playing their instruments, a magic memory for me. Doobie Bros were non too shabby night after either.

1 hour ago, Kegsy said:

I'd forgotten them, saw them in Newcastle. Thanks for the post I've been racking my brains to remember the name of the venue in Dunstable where I saw Kool.

We also used to go to Dunstable Civic Centre. I saw Fat Larry's Band and Olympic Runner's there. The other venue in Dunstable was Tiffany's.

I seem to remember the Dunstable place was shaped like a ship, or was it just the substances ?.

Ooops duplicate post, I wish I could work out how Im doing that ????.

Edited December 5, 20168 yr by Kegsy

2 minutes ago, britishbarry said:

We also used to go to Dunstable Civic Centre. I saw Fat Larry's Band and Olympic Runner's there. The other venue in Dunstable was Tiffany's.

I seem to remember the Dunstable place was shaped like a ship, or was it just the substances ?.

Jackie Wilson and Betty Wright at Wigan. Teddy Pendergrass at Manchester Apollo. ( Fantastic). Maze 3 times at Manchester Apollo (Talk about soulful) and then full filled a lifetime wish Stevie Wonder at MEN Manchester just after he did Glastonbury. 10 rows from him. Awesome!  

3 hours ago, Kegsy said:

I'd forgotten them, saw them in Newcastle. Thanks for the post I've been racking my brains to remember the name of the venue in Dunstable where I saw Kool.

We also used to go to Dunstable Civic Centre. I saw Fat Larry's Band and Olympic Runner's there. The other venue in Dunstable was Tiffany's.

 

2 hours ago, Kegsy said:

I seem to remember the Dunstable place was shaped like a ship, or was it just the substances ?.

I would imagine you're thinking of the pub called the Windsock which was odly enough shaped like a windsock.

I have just remembered the best of them all (how could I have forgotten?). Bobby Womack, I think it was at the Apollo in Oxford. Also saw Diana Ross in 1975/6 at the Victoria Theatre in London.

3 hours ago, Mickey Finn said:

Gerald Albright was in the backing band. Also saw him years later playing in Phil Collins' band, and say what you say about Phil, he puts on a good concert.

Tell a lie, it was Kirk Whalum in Whitney's band ... easy mistake to make?

Level 42 were a top live act - saw them in 1985 just as they were beginning to cross over from jazz funk to TOTP and they were fantastic. They were supported By 52nd Street, who did two encores, they were that good. Their over-produced studio albums didn't do them justice as a proper band, much as I like especially their debut LP (produced By Nick Martinelli).

2 hours ago, britishbarry said:

I have just remembered the best of them all (how could I have forgotten?). Bobby Womack, I think it was at the Apollo in Oxford. Also saw Diana Ross in 1975/6 at the Victoria Theatre in London.

Funny how threads like this bring the memories flooding back, I too had forgotten Bobby Womack,think it was either the International or Hard Rock Manchester where I saw the great man. This thread also shows what a broad spectrum we soul fans have to choose from.

edwin, saw him so many times, always superb

marvin bham odeon 80

9 hours ago, britishbarry said:

The Crusader's. Saw

 them a few times at The California, Dunstable. Coming a good second & third would be Roy Ayres and Hubert Laws.

Saw them at The Ardwick Apollo with Randy Crawford guesting when "Street life" was a big club sound,around 1980 she stole the show!!!

12 minutes ago, micksmix said:

Saw them at The Ardwick Apollo with Randy Crawford guesting when "Street life" was a big club sound,around 1980 she stole the show!!!

She came on stage and sang Street Life one time I saw them as well. The same thing happened, she stole the show!

On 04/12/2016 at 00:41, algsoul said:

for me ub40 st georges hall Bradford prob 81/82     jnr walker leeds cats whiskers prob 77/78

lawrence

Saw UB40 at the Edinburgh Playhouse January '82.  Must have been the same tour for Present Arms.

Ben E King and his band Wigan Casino1972

Bobby Womak Manchester Apolla1984

Geno Washington every month Room at the top Wigan 1966 67

Edwin Starr every time you see him

I seen nearly all of the top act in soul and Motown back in the late 60,s and early 70's and 95 percent were fantastic

 

ML

I saw Al Green at the height of his campy, sexy pomp - must have been 72.  Birmingham Odeon.  Thought I'd died and gone to soul heaven.

Lucky enough to see him again doing a gospel set in London in the late eighties and it was different but equally wonderful.

Last time I saw him was about 8 years ago at the NEC and it was so cringeworthy - just awful.

So the answer is Al Green 72.

Special mention for Edwin Starr.  He had a one of a kind connection with us soulies.

 

GOT TO BE The Who Charlton Athletic Football Club 18th May 1974 FANTASTIC

Ronnie Laws ,Brothers Johnson and many others at Birmingham Odeon in the 70s great venue 

Bobby Bland - San Diego 1981

Millie Jackson - Manchester Apollo early 70's

Marvin Gaye - Manchester Apollo early 70's

Gladys Knight - Manchester Free Trade Hall early 70's

Edwin Star - Basement Club Bury 1972 and lots of other places after that

Junior Walker - Can't remember the first place now - somewhere in Manchester and then Wigan on the same night.

Edwin Starr at the Wheel

Brothers Johnson, Glasgow 

Jimi Hendrix Experience, Glasgow

Little Richard, Detroit 

Sam and Dave, Manchester