Is there a definitive list of all the DJ’s who did spots at Wigan including Mr M’s? 

Anyone care to put one together with approximate timelines? 

It would help with a friendly dispute.

Ta.

Jaco. I can start the ball rolling with two obscure DJ,s from Mr M,s and they both reside in Runcorn. Cheshire. Dave Langley and Rod Looker . Another less well known to some M,s DJ the late and still missed Keith Brady. 

Steve

Staying with M's........Brian Rae (Culcheth)...........Billy Paul (Ashton). Must be an old thread on here with all the info?

I remember Fred posting a copy of an old flyer with the original M's DJ's.......Peter (?) Fishwick?

The Soul Twins, Stuart and Neil Brackenridge. Steve Whittle and Dave Evison.  All Mr M’s.

Danny Spiers and Barry Simpson both from Carlisle did several spots in both the main hall and Mr M's 78/79

Kenny Spence, so underrated and one of my favourite M,s DJ

Richard Searling, Russ, Pep in the early years.

Early mornings Martyn Ellis / Dave Evison .

There was a wierd bloke called Russ used to knock about 

Gary Rushbrooke .pat Brady. Soul Sam. Alan Rhodes all main room

When it started Russ did the whole night I think with help from a lad called Ian Fishwick

Mark C

Mark 'Wiganer1' Freeman is your man for this.  I'll be amazed if he doesn't already have a concise & accurate list!

 

Cheers,

Mark R

Ian Levine and Simon Soussan a couple more.

Derek Gallagher - Bolton  a.k.a.) "GAL" 

Mike Rolo - Wigan (R.I.P.)

Ian Wills - Aspull ?

All Mr M's jocks

Quote

 

John Vincent and Keith Minshull. Also I think a 1 of...... A lad from Glasgow called Jimmy (I know I know). Dark hair and tashe. I was friendly with him back then. He was helped by Richard to get the spot.

Kev Roberts , Ian Dewhurst .  Colin Curtis,  1975 guest spot(s)   Mr Ms,  Scat cat,   Brian Rigby , Alan Cain , Steve Whittle , Didnt Andy Peebles do a guest spot at the second or third anniversary ?

Wow.....lots of names I've never heard (and obviously lots that I have)....never knew mr Levine was a guest dj at Wigan...are some of the lesser known dj names still about on the scene?? (I obviously know the ones that are)...kind regards..Rob

Great stuff so far, chaps. Maybe Mark Freeman can give some input as suggested

59 minutes ago, carty said:

Kev Roberts , Ian Dewhurst .  Colin Curtis,  1975 guest spot(s)   Mr Ms,  Scat cat,   Brian Rigby , Alan Cain , Steve Whittle , Didnt Andy Peebles do a guest spot at the second or third anniversary ?

I thought Kev was a resident for a while till a fall out?

Yes, let me clarify , it was only Collin Curtis who did the guest spots ,The other two were of course regulars

not seen Derek Banner mentioned? he replied to this thread in 2016.

Derek Banner-Mansfield -Dj-Swan Hotel? By SHEFFSOUL, June 16, 2008 In All About the SOUL 

2 hours ago, chalky said:

I thought Kev was a resident for a while till a fall out?

I started as a resident on Saturday,September 30th 1973. Not sure of the date I left but January 1975 springs to mind. 

The first guest we worked with was Martin Ellis       

Richard Searling then joined in late 73 as the 3rd resident  

A variety of guests weaved in and out, most of which are well documented   

 

 

 

Who was the guy with the duffel coat always kept his hood up? 

3 hours ago, Goldsoul said:

I started as a resident on Saturday,September 30th 1973. Not sure of the date I left but January 1975 springs to mind. 

The first guest we worked with was Martin Ellis       

Richard Searling then joined in late 73 as the 3rd resident  

A variety of guests weaved in and out, most of which are well documented   

 

 

 

What was the fall out? Go on, tell us. 

Didn't Chris King appear too?

On 11/13/2017 at 18:32, Kenb said:

not seen Derek Banner mentioned? he replied to this thread in 2016.

Derek Banner-Mansfield -Dj-Swan Hotel? By SHEFFSOUL, June 16, 2008 In All About the SOUL 

Yes, I had a spell in Mr M's, around 74/75 and enjoyed every single minute. Nothing better than getting the floor packed & absolutely 'bouncing'. Left the scene due to other commitments and "circumstances". I sold most of my records, (Couldn't give one of them away THANK GOODNESS!... Holly St.James - That's Not Love. Obviously that was before it became so massive), but been back and collecting again for a few years now. Been doing a spot most months over the past year or so, at the Corner House, Mansfield on Sundays. Appeared as a guest of Paul Lightly on his Radio Acacia show a couple of times and did a spot at a Swan re-union at the One Call stadium, Mansfield for my old mate Phil Kingswood.

For me, Mr M's was the best place on the planet. I could play 100mph sounds solidly throughout a session and always have the floor rammed full. The energy in there was immense. It seemed the faster the record, the more they loved it.

My favourite DJ at Wigan? It has to be Martin Ellis...RIP. So very sad when I heard of his passing. I'd have loved to have met up with him again after all those years. 

Incidentally, my name's spelt Deryke.

 

 

Keith minshull

Alan rhodes

Pat brady

Edited December 5, 20177 yr by SOULMAN62

 I did a Sunday night spot at the casino 1970/71. My playlist was from the previous night spent at the wheel and Top 20 club Hollywood { sic} Oldham .Playlist was ; Little Hank  ,Incredibles,Babs Lewis,etc ,etc, Ironically one of my top trax was a recent issue Honeycone ,s  ;Whilst Your out Looking For Sugar. A time when a youthfull Pop Dj Russ Winstanley noted this new way out fad and hit paydirt in September 1973. I moved to Torquayand continued my Quest .Unlike todays DJ,s ,who have a captive ,appreciative audience,being a rare soul dj on the club circuit was Tough!

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

Didn't Levine do one spot but was then banned from doing anymore by Mecca management ? 

I did a guest spot in the main room around late 75. It's a bit of a blur now but I don't think I played anything unexpected. What I do remember is what a daunting task it was to play to a packed floor that knew exactly what they wanted. It would take a very brave person to play anything new and untested. Those DJs that regularly broke new sounds deserve all the credit they get.

Later on I did a spot at the Beachcomber next door that was a lot easier. From 76 I sold quite a lot of my records so packed in my faltering DJ career. 

Rick

Arthur fenn (selby)?

On 11/12/2017 at 22:27, Rick Cooper said:

I did a guest spot in the main room around late 75. It's a bit of a blur now but I don't think I played anything unexpected. What I do remember is what a daunting task it was to play to a packed floor that knew exactly what they wanted. It would take a very brave person to play anything new and untested. Those DJs that regularly broke new sounds deserve all the credit they get.

Later on I did a spot at the Beachcomber next door that was a lot easier. From 76 I sold quite a lot of my records so packed in my faltering DJ career. 

Rick

 

Remember that night and think you played Hosanna 

On 12/11/2017 at 21:16, Winsford Soul said:

Jaco. I can start the ball rolling with two obscure DJ,s from Mr M,s and they both reside in Runcorn. Cheshire. Dave Langley and Rod Looker . Another less well known to some M,s DJ the late and still missed Keith Brady. 

Steve

Keith 👍😥 nice you mentioned him ste , Kenny never gets a mention either 

Edited September 12, 20223 yr by Paul Shirley

jolly from Edinburgh main room 

On 10/12/2017 at 18:26, Mark B said:

Didn't Levine do one spot but was then banned from doing anymore by Mecca management ? 

I remember his spot in main room sometime in 1980  

Edited October 1, 20223 yr by Eddie Hubbard

The above is a Wigan time line I did recently after speaking to various people including John Vincent .There may be more DJ’s that only played a few times or once ,like Levine ,Arthur Fenn and Simon Soussan who only DJ’d once .This timeline is for the main room only .Feel free to add more info ,cheers Eddie 

11 hours ago, Eddie Hubbard said:

The above is a Wigan time line I did recently after speaking to various people including John Vincent .There may be more DJ’s that only played a few times or once ,like Levine ,Arthur Fenn and Simon Soussan who only DJ’d once .This timeline is for the main room only .Feel free to add more info ,cheers Eddie 

Pretty sure Dave Thorley did a couple of nights, think he said he sat in for Richard when he was on holiday?

Yes you could be right Chalky ,I know Colin Curtis covered for Richard once while he was holiday bound ,thanks 

was told butch brother ,dj there in mid 70s  

Ian dewhurst aka frank was there about the 2nd anniversary time

Yes remember Dave thorley DJing there

Just lost one of the best djs to come out of Wigan casino Steve whittle RIP

On 02/10/2022 at 10:18, Chalky said:

Pretty sure Dave Thorley did a couple of nights, think he said he sat in for Richard when he was on holiday?

Blimey...big shoes to fill!! Good on him....Rob

5 minutes ago, Lionelonthevinyl said:

Blimey...big shoes to fill!! Good on him....Rob

Remember DJ s like Russ Winstanley, Richard Searling, and Keith Minshull

On 11/12/2017 at 22:27, Rick Cooper said:

I did a guest spot in the main room around late 75. It's a bit of a blur now but I don't think I played anything unexpected. What I do remember is what a daunting task it was to play to a packed floor that knew exactly what they wanted. It would take a very brave person to play anything new and untested. Those DJs that regularly broke new sounds deserve all the credit they get.

Later on I did a spot at the Beachcomber next door that was a lot easier. From 76 I sold quite a lot of my records so packed in my faltering DJ career. 

Rick

Rick, one of us has a false memory - given the state of my head in 1973 the odds are not looking good for me. I was sure that you did a slot at Wigan before Richard. It goes without saying that I enjoyed both of your sets at Va Va but I was surprised that Richard hadn't been roped in by Russ - he was playing some great tracks. I knew you well enough not to make a mistake, but unless you had a doppelgänger called Ian Fishwick (I think I remember him - with a shrug of my shoulders) or I was having flashbacks to the night before at the Va Va... 

Anyway, it was good to read your post - hope you're keeping well. 

17 hours ago, Drewson said:

Rick, one of us has a false memory - given the state of my head in 1973 the odds are not looking good for me. I was sure that you did a slot at Wigan before Richard. It goes without saying that I enjoyed both of your sets at Va Va but I was surprised that Richard hadn't been roped in by Russ - he was playing some great tracks. I knew you well enough not to make a mistake, but unless you had a doppelgänger called Ian Fishwick (I think I remember him - with a shrug of my shoulders) or I was having flashbacks to the night before at the Va Va... 

Anyway, it was good to read your post - hope you're keeping well. 

Hi

It could have been earlier than 75 , I'm not great with exact dates. I was going from the records I thought I remember playing that I think were getting towards The Mecca/Ritz type of 74-75. I did a couple of  spots at Va-Va's when Richard S was away somewhere, possibly the US around 73. This would have been before Richard started at The Casino. Va-Va's was a weird club but the records Richard S played were some of the best new records ever.