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News: Keith Minshull is 70!


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I've a few Keith stories. 

I'd just passed my driving test and was celebrating at a Newcastle Tiffs bank holiday all dayer. I'd had a few drinks and Brian Rae convinced me to drive a few of us to an all nighter at Derby Tiff in Keith's wife's mini. Keith said don't worry I'll get the wife to drive you home to Warrington in the morning. So off we go, not really knowing the way, but made it there OK. On the way home I fell asleep at the wheel on a motorway/dual carriageway and quickly woke up when I scraped the central reservation. Got to Keith's House, and for some reason my lift was no longer available. So had to hitch it 30 miles home, or upto Sandbach services where I persuaded Denny Johnson to get me home. The Whitchurch all dayer was on that day but was too tired to go. Only one I ever missed:-(

DSC_0083.JPG

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Used to spend my wages in bews burslem,where kieth sold records,skiing in the snow my first,and still own in my collection,still have a lot do with him,at local venues,A TOP GUY,WHO KNOWS HIS MUSIC ,HAVE A GUD UN MATE 

BERT AND MAXINE

Edited by Soul2soul
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A very happy birthday to Keith Minshull. One of my abiding memories from Stafford is Keith launching Eddie Parker I'm Gone through the speakers to the dancefloor, one of those epic moments you never forget. Always looked forward to his set, always great and knew I was in for a good dance.  Many happy returns to Keith & Bobby 

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First met Keith at the legendary Torch all nighters, a few of us from kidderminster would  attend and often chat to Keith, although we were younger and with far less soul knowledge than him he would always have time for us. then later at the top rank in Hanley when he got to know us better would call us to the side to show us what was on his play list. No airs and graces from him just a top bloke.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KEITH 

THE SOUL QUINS    

   

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Happy BIrthday for the 29th Keith (same date as my Daughter)

First bumped into Keith in the record bar at the Casino, (or should I say he 'bumped' into me and sent me flying) next thing I know he's on the stage DJ'ing, he did a great spot, so all was forgiven. One of our regular guests at the SAINTS club in St Helens and always did a great set. Last saw him at Alsager with Colin and look forward to seeing him at the Newcastle Tiffs Reunion in 2021.

All the Best Keith, many more of 'em

BazM

 

Edited by Bazm
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Happy birthday to Keith, one of the original and best DJs ever.

Keith would always be searching for new records to play and would travel far and wide. I was once at Bradford market early in the day waiting for the stall to open. Just as the stall opened Keith turned up , oh no, I'll have to get searching quick. I don't think I found anything new but Keith snaffled a Mercury demo of The Chalfontes- He Loves Me for 25p after a couple of minutes. 

 

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Met Keith for the first time at the Torch. Got to know him and his wife very well and spent quite a lot of time visiting each other.

Used to sell him quite a few 45s to play whilst the Torch was still going. One funny story, l sold Keith Jimmy Thomas Beautiful Night one Saturday  but he didn't have enough cash so I  accepted an IOU from Chris Burton for a tenner in lieu of Keith's wages. Bloody hell, the Torch got closed down that week! Didn't manage to catch up with Chris until 1998 but I still had the IOU ( I am a Yorkshire man after all). Fair play to Chris we had a good laugh and he paid me, no interest though!!!

Happy birthday my old mate.

Julian and Carolyn  xx

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I personally never got to know Keith, but like so many of us, I have enjoyed his sets during my years.

From the very few conversations I’ve had with Keith, he seems to be a very down to earth person.  I remember walking with him back to his hotel here in Wellingborough, chatting away as you do - I had to stop myself from saying…..”You’re Keith Minshull!”…… Had I done so, I’m sure he would have thought what an idiot I was.

Sorry you’re 70th Birthday is during this current virus situation, but Happy Birthday Keith, and thanks for all you have contributed to our scene.

All the best,

Len :thumbsup:

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I remember Keith working in Bew's in Burslem in 1973 (what a dashing young man!!! 🤣) from where I bought my early Northern Soul records (Johnny Sayles, Bobby Freeman and Lenis Guess). I didn't get to know him until years later through buying far too many records (well someone had to put food on his table) and doing some D.J. work for him. Even at (almost) seventy he still has a great enthusiasm and retains all of that soul music knowledge. Happy birthday Keith 🎂.  Mike

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Just woke Keith up from his beauty sleep & wished him many happy returns for today ...!

Spent many weekends chauffeuring Keith around not just 1 night it could be 3 nights @ weekends

Also ejoyed the chance to DJ for him @ all the events he ran in the Stoke 

 

 

 

 

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Legend ! 

   Torch, Tiffs etc,  before my time.    but my one (of two) memory,   was at Alfreton " Torch reunion" Niter,  early 80's.........   i wandered to the DJ booth and requested the Tomangoes !    (i know i know). The look i recieved, said it all.     

      The second,  was buying my issue of Darkest Days,  for £4 ,   in Station roads record bar.

                many happy returns KM

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Feliz Compleanos ,Sesenta Anos ,from Malaga ,Spain. 

After the Charm and Chat with Richard , the " MInsh " was Mr Grumpy,  but what a DJ , Never a dud Disc ,.My personal fave " Man with The Golden Touch " A fitting tribute for your contribution to Northern Soul !!

                                                                                    Cheers John .

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Happy Belated Birthday fellow Stokie Mr Minsh 

The funny

(not at the time) - Many memories of being your chauffeur to the casino and many other venue's, in particular an alldayer at (I think it was) Todmorden in an Austin Princess (no idea who it belonged to) and it wouldn't get up 'the hill' you and Tim had to take your record boxes out and carry them up while I pottered all the way up to the top in 1st gear at 5mph!!! 

The un-mentionables

New Year Eve parties at your parents house!!!

The Kindness

Keith ran monthly soul nights at the George Hotel in Burslem, they were really well attended. After the sad death of Dave Alcock, Keith would dedicate that particular night annually as a 'Dave Alcock Memorial Night', and at the end of the evening would present me with a big wad of cash to donate to the charities of Dave's family choice. Keith could have quite easily put that cash in his back pocket, but chose to do a selfless thing. 

A kindness I have never forgotten, I remember it blew Dave's mum away and I'm sure she wrote to Keith to thank him for such a massive gesture year on year.

Hope you had a fabulous day Keith

Sharron P xx

p.s. The only picture I have of you is where you are looking disgusted, while a gang of us are mooning................I wont upload it ☺️

Edited by crazylegs
teribul speling
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happy birthday keith  remember asking him for jimmy helms romeo and juliet at prestatyn many years ago within 10 min he sent a guy to the his room back he came with one nothing was to much trouble for him have a good one mate 

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On 01/08/2020 at 13:18, crazylegs said:

Happy Belated Birthday fellow Stokie Mr Minsh 

The funny

(not at the time) - Many memories of being your chauffeur to the casino and many other venue's, in particular an alldayer at (I think it was) Todmorden in an Austin Princess (no idea who it belonged to) and it wouldn't get up 'the hill' you and Tim had to take your record boxes out and carry them up while I pottered all the way up to the top in 1st gear at 5mph!!! 

The un-mentionables

New Year Eve parties at your parents house!!!

The Kindness

Keith ran monthly soul nights at the George Hotel in Burslem, they were really well attended. After the sad death of Dave Alcock, Keith would dedicate that particular night annually as a 'Dave Alcock Memorial Night', and at the end of the evening would present me with a big wad of cash to donate to the charities of Dave's family choice. Keith could have quite easily put that cash in his back pocket, but chose to do a selfless thing. 

A kindness I have never forgotten, I remember it blew Dave's mum away and I'm sure she wrote to Keith to thank him for such a massive gesture year on year.

Hope you had a fabulous day Keith

Sharron P xx

p.s. The only picture I have of you is where you are looking disgusted, while a gang of us are mooning................I wont upload it ☺️

Went to this night and miss my old buddy Dave       

Dave Alcock Memorial Night.jpg

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So when I went to my first all-dayer at Top Rank, Hanley, Keith was on the decks.  Rat Race, Duke Browner, Clara Ward, Bob Relf, Dean Parish, Howard Guyton... my ears and eyes were agog and my life has never been the same.  To think I was 14 then, Keith must have been 22 - but he looked sooooo much older!   Belated Happy Birthday old chap!

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  • 1 month later...

I remember the days in Wigan Casino record back bar. You would be going through a sales box with about 20 records to go to the back of the box, when an arm would come over your shoulder and grab them before you had a chance to look at them!

I saw this happen many times to young collectors. I think it was maybe a bit of fun or to give people a little bit of a working!😁😬😁.

 

 

 

Edited by Halogen
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