The loss of anyone you have known for many years is hard. But when it is sudden and unexpected it is particularly difficult to take in. Waking up this morning to hear that Stafford stalwart Mick Howard has passed is a shock. 
Known to so many of us as a passionate soulman and honorary Scot with a lust for life, his passing will be hurtful to all that knew him. My thoughts are with the family and his many close friends around the UK.
There were many that came to Stafford, but a few that contributed with their strong support and belief in the venue and music we played, something he continued to do for many years after it finished. People like Mick are as much part of the legend as any of us. He is of a generation that should not be leaving us yet, this is a sad day..................

 

Mick Always in our hearts, from a time when we were all together and young and foolish, sleep well Mate...............

 

 

Edited April 24, 20178 yr by Dave Thorley

Beautiful Dave simply beautiful, I wanted to post this myself but I just couldn't, this has hit me and all of a very close group of friends who I call 'The Gang' I can't find the words how we are all feeling right now it's like a part of me has gone also, he was a gentle, kind, honest and very genuine man, his smile and general good nature would light up a room. I found out yesterday evening from Karen Taylor and as soon as I phoned her I knew it was terrible, I first met Mick by accident coming back from an Allnighter on a train he looked at me and said 'Alright mate are you into Northern' that was back in 77/78 and from that chance meeting we have been friends ever since, sharing the many ups in life and a few downs but one sure fired thing was Mick was always there for you, as Dave has stated he was a true Soulman who loved music, when he was down on his luck in the very early 90's he had no place to go so Jacqui and myslelf simply said come and stay with us for as long as you need, we used to love watching quiz shows and it got pretty intence but Mick generally got more questions right that I did, when Jacqui and I split Mick was there for both of us, the many house parties we had and went to within the group of friends Mick was always there front and centre playing a few tunes, my friend, my brother, a real one off see you down the road a piece.

My heart and love goes out to Ali, family and friends of this a top bloke, empty and so upset.

Mark Bicknell.

Edited April 24, 20178 yr by Mark Bicknell

Rest in pease to a really nice guy.....this is very sad news

I can only echo what has already been said .. I remember Mick with great fondness ... A truly truly sad day

Andy

Devastating news.....can't believe I'm not going to see Mick and have a chat, absolutely heartbreaking 😥

Terrible news. A truly lovely bloke

Sorry to hear this sad news. Not seen Mick for quite a while, but I always remember him as being a real nice fella.

Only met him a couple of times, but by chatting with him, it soon became obvious of his passion and knowledge for soul music , rest in peace fella 

yet more sad news, the flow of such seems at times to be relentless

Mick was a long time member, nearly 10 years on here. His member profile can be read via the link below, which leads to his shared content , posts, photos and such

@Mick Howard

https://www.soul-source.co.uk/profile/9076-mick-howard/

RIP Mick

 

Echo all the above sentiments. Rest in peace Mick. Sleep well

Steve

He was a super bloke who came to the 100 Club and Cleethorpes regularly for a long time and developed great friendships with so many like-minded people down here. I'd not seen him for a while but will miss him greatly. Ady

Devastating news. Mick was one proper good man. Intelligent, passionate and a true gent. RIP old mate.

Terrible news. A real soul gent. Thoughts are with his family and friends at this terrible time. R.I.P MICK.

Absolutely gutted, as will be anyone and everyone who knew Mick.

A genuinely lovely bloke; I'll miss him a lot x

 

Mick was one of the first people I met when I started going to nighters, good friends ever since. I will miss his kindness, his infectious sense of fun and can't believe I won't see his unique dancing again. Life won't be the same without him x

Mick was Loved by everyone who knew him Top Fella with a great love for the music that brought us all together .

He will always be remembered

Always Loved and left so many happy memories for friends to remember X

RIP Mick 

Have'nt seen hlm for long time 

Top guy will be missed by everyone.

 

couldnt believe when Mark told me last night, tragic news, really sad, first met Mick at Stafford and got chatting through a mutual friend, Chris Brennan who'd been in the RAF with Mick, and although a few years older and had a few more years on the scene, was enthusiastic and welcoming to us Southerners, think he bought "Baby Boy" Juanita Williams off me for  a couple of quid, this was a time when no one wanted "common" records on Golden World and the like, and mostly they sat unloved at the back of most record boxes, next time I saw him, he gave me a couple of records as a thanks, as he'd managed to buy about 20 records for a quid and under he wouldn't have bothered looking at and couldn't thank me enough. He really was one of the good guys, I'll really miss not seeing him turn up with that big grin. Condolences go out to his family who, hopefully can get some comfort from the sentiments expressed from all his soul family on here and on Facebook.

Rest in Peace my friend, you've left us far too soon x

Edited April 24, 20178 yr by Tony Smith

Another great friend gone way too soon, was floored when I got the news last night .... will miss that cheeky grin, the banter and the road trips, my heart goes out to Alison and the family who he loved so much .... RIP Mick, see you on the other side  xx

This has been one of the worst days I can remember, I've spoken to friends, cried and laughed in equal measure allday, the pouring of love and respect for Mick from this wonderful scene has been staggering but very much deserved, when Mick lived with Jacqui and myself in the early 90's for a good few months although our bond and friendship was tight it became unbreakable having spent so much time with him off the scene, he never judged anyone he took people at face value and if he was your friend it was forever, I just can't take on board that I'm never gone see him again, all I can see is that smile and the passion for a good soul record.

Mark Bicknell

Not seen Mick since the early day's of Cleethorpes w/e, just gutted to this sad news.

RIP Mick.

Jim+ Liz 

Like everyone who knew Mick, I was stunned yesterday to hear of his passing.

Mick is particularly special to me cause he gave me northern soul music.  He met my brother Chris when they were both in the RAF, and Mick got Chris in to soul.  My brother got me in to soul.  I got my wife in to soul. My sister Annette got in to soul, and met her husband Mark on the soul scene.

So that’s two brothers, a sister, a wife and a husband, all on the scene, all having our lives enriched so much for it, and all because of one Michael Howard.

I’ve got so many happy memories of Mick, from him teaching me how to cook spag bol when I was a whipper snapper, to sitting in the foot well of his Golf all the way from Harrogate to Stafford cause there were six of us in the car, to drinking far too much corn liquor with him, taking me to dodgy boozers in Halifax after a nighter to watch the lunchtime strippers, the list goes on.

Mick, you were a top bloke, like another big brother to me, and we will all miss you very much.

Alison, I hope if you read these messages you can take comfort in the knowledge of how much love there was, and is, for Mick out there.

David

To Nites Radio Show !!!!!!!!!!

Thought a while on this and have decided to dedicate the 2nd hour of tonight's show to Mick Howard. 1 hour of Mafia style 60's bangers for the lad. So if you fancy joining in 7-9pm on GFM

 

First hour the usual Usual mix, funk, modern, boogie, crossover and northern including the popular 'Sweet N' Low' selection.

On the web you can listen on the station site or via Tuin just follow the links

https://www.gloucesterfm.com/

https://tunein.com/radio/Gloucester-FM...

 

 

 

A very sad day. I knew him very well especially Around the Stafford era. Had many a great banter with him and always a great guy to be around. If I could be half the nice person he was I would be a happy man indeed. Will miss you matey and rest in peace fella..

 

Kitch & Julia

First met Mick back in 77/78 when Ken Cox was running the Wirrina before he went to the fleet - got on the train at London I guess after reading the thread Chris was with him - he was still in the RAF - after chatting to him I asked what he did - am sure he said signals - I then said what do you do - "can't tell you as we've signed the official secrets act " - the rest of the trip was taken up we me asking for just one secret even a small one - am sure he told me something just to shut me up - it passed the time - Saw Mick a few times after that at the Fleet nighters and St Ives Dayers we always talked about how we first met, remember his golf dark green I think - one of the good Soul guys RIP Mick.

Gutted when I received a phone call with the news about Mick or Spinner as he was known when I first met him. We exchanged messages when he was due to go in for his op, his last words were "I'll be sorted for the summer".  Sadly it isn't to be, another taken long before his time.  One of lifes best, a gent who as Mark said didn't judge or look down on anyone, if you were friendly with him you got the same back in abundance.  Aways had a welcoming smile, loved the music and life, he will be missed by everyone who knew him.

My condolences to his wife Alison and their families at this terribly sad time 

R.I.P. Mick

Edited April 25, 20178 yr by chalky

RIP TO A NICE BLOKE & 100% SOUL BROTHER, A CANDLE HAS BEEN LIT AND PRAYER MADE GOD BLESS YOU FAMILY & FRIENDS, DAVE K

So sorry to hear the soul family looses another old friend. You will be fondly remembered and sadly missed "another time another place".

Love  Geoff and Margaret Buckley.

This is sad news....Mick was a top man....he is in my fond memories from the best of times...I had not spoken to him for a long time, but last time we met it was like we had never had a gap...sincere condolences to his family......rest in peace my friend.

Last nights show for listen again, with the whole second hour dedicated to Mick Howard ........................https://www.mixcloud.com/dave-thorley/crossing-the-tracks-mick-howard-special-25-04-17/

Fitting tribute Dave listed this morning

Echoing all the above statements Mick was one top guy, knowledgeable, friendly and passionate about the scene RIP 

Rob

sad sad loss was  lucky enough to travel a few times with mick and dale

rip my friend u will always b missed

thoughts go out to his family

For my friend.

Mick Howard.wmv

Lovely tribute Mark.

Jim.

Really sad news , I hadn't known Mick as long as many on here ,though I'd known his name via Soul Source .My heart goes out to his wife Ali, and his many friends on here .A lovely fella , always a pleasure to be in his company , we will all miss him so much .

I am always saddened to read news like this. Clearly he was extremely popular and the fitting tributes are very appropriate. My thoughts go out to his family and friends right now. Time to listen to your 1 hour tribute Dave Thorley.

This will make you smile.

13 hours ago, Mark Bicknell said:

For my friend.

Mick Howard.wmv

Mark. That is truly a tribute.  Lump in my throat and a tear in my eye.  

Steve 

Just got back off holiday to this awful news...what a nice bloke Mick was had some good chats with him at the  'Marshalls'(Stuart and Jill) barbies in Radcliffe over the years. ...a sad loss ...rest in peace  Mick...

Dave L

Edited April 28, 20178 yr by lfcjunkie
Addition

Sad Sad News only got to know mick over the last few years  when going to  Burnley Nighter  - used to get a lift with Willie West from Carlisle and all travelled down together

always stopped of at forton services for a  brew and a Debrief  as you do had some good chats .... a nice easy going guy  R.I.P. Kev/Wend

Sat in the mariner restaurant ,rags in brid, reading more thoughts Bout Mick , tears, tears, I just love the people and the scene it was and always will be  a privilege to know people like Mick and also the rest of you.

playedPatti Williams for Micky Cruz last night going to play if I've brought it what's more z z hill missed mate missed.!!!!!!

 

Gibby, thanks for refreshing this post.

last weekend i was looking in the garage for some LPs.

I came across a pile of flyers and some other stuff that I had not looked at for a while.

In the bottom of a bag there was a T-shirt....see attached.

I trust you can make the text out.....

 

Mick had a batch made up, must be the thick end of 30 years ago........I think it shows his keen intelligence and sharp sense of humour.

made me smile.....also made me laugh that I would have fitted into it as well!

Best regards

Steve