Not sure this has been done before. 

It may be interesting and quite diverse. 

I think mine wouid have to be Maze in the mid 80s - when Joy & Pain was an anthem. Saw them at Mcr Apollo. 

The percussion guy was particularly impressive. 

There's a thread from 2009 here...

 

 

...and an earlier thread from 2008 here, which is mainly about the best live act seen at a northern venue...

 

Without a doubt there was no one to touch Millie Jackson live in the 80's. Unbelievable doesn't come close enough.

Jackie Wilson at the Rainbow theatre London in the early seventies 

I saw LOADS of live bands at The Wheel way back in the 1960s, but my favourite  has to be Junior Walker -  he just blew the bloody roof off!👍👍👍

Edited January 31, 20223 yr by Kathryn Magson

We sat with Arthur Miles at a pub in morecambe a couple of yrs back before he went on and so soulful tunes he belted out ,and he owes me for a pint too ,but eh it all adds to the memory of that night .

Frank Wilson Cala gran bouncing

I’ve seen very few live soul acts if I’m honest, however I would choose Edwin Starr. 

I saw him multiple times with ‘The Team’. Several times singing to backing tracks and on one (brilliant, as it turned out) occasion, totally A cappella - the backing track machine failed, but that didn’t stop the show.

What a great entertainer and lovely man he was.

 

Sat with Gloria Jones for four hours at Prestatyn interesting

Seen loads over the years. A stand out for me was Dee Dee Sharpe at Prestatyn around 2006 . Listened to her practice in the afternoon singing Deep Dark Secret. It stopped the place in its tracks. Still gives me goose bumps.

Aren't we lucky to know about and hear such things.....

edwin for me

Preston guild hall Edwin Starr can’t remember the year

I have to agree with you.The wife and I saw her at the London Victoria Apollo in the early eighties when she was at her most soulful. I've seen quite a few live soul acts most have been excellent but Millie's the best

Top 10

Sam Dees - Jazz Cafe

Gladys Knight - Hammersmith Odeon

Bobby Womack - Hammersmith Odeon

Maze - Hammersmith Odeon 

Anita Baker - Hammersmith Odeon

Four Tops - Hammersmith Odeon

Phyllis Hyman - Dominion Theatre

O'Jays - Hammersmith Odeon

Luther Vandross - Wembley Arena

Chi-Lites - Reading Top Rank

 

Well you did ask...

Concert.

Lady GaGa. Las Vegas. 

For a soul artist....M people and George Bad Benson had the crowd mesmerised all concert.

Unique, one off song performed live, Alexander Patten, LA2004.

Ed

 

 

Gregory Porter at Hoochie Coochie - awesome

Earth Wind and Fire - Birmingham Hippodrome in 74 - stunning

Luther - Manchester Apollo 86 - brilliant

Bobby Womack Birmingham Odeon in 82 - powerful

Kool and the Gang - Barbarella's in 74/75 - life changing

But, the most memorable gig for me was Johnny Johnson and the Bandwagon at Rolleston Youth Club in around 72.  Never before or since seen such energy/noise/movement it was utterly spellbinding

 

Late 80’s at great yarmouth weekender….chuck jackson,ray pollard especially stood out for me amongst the many acts!

Martha Reeves. Wigan 1977ish. Didn't know the words to One Way Out but fantastic nonetheless.

Gladys Knight and her Pip. Las Vegas early 2000’s. Perfection.

 

 

Soul wise, James brown no question, 2nd Lee Feilds, see him if you get chance!

George Benson at the MEN, Edwin Starr the Ritz and The Exciters Wigan Casino.

Gladys Knight & the Pips at East Ham Odeon 1969 ?.

Peabo Bryson  Hammersmith 1993?

Four Tops & The Spinners  Hull 1973

All of these were great value for money and cemented my love of soul music further.

 

 

Edited January 31, 20223 yr by Philreeves

1 hour ago, Philreeves said:

Gladys Knight & the Pips at East Ham Odeon 1969 ?.

Peabo Bryson  Hammersmith 1993?

Four Tops & The Spinners  Hull 1973

All of these were great value for money and cemented my love of soul music further.

 

 

Saw Tops/Spinners that year, top stuff.

2 hours ago, Philreeves said:

Gladys Knight & the Pips at East Ham Odeon 1969 ?.

Peabo Bryson  Hammersmith 1993?

Four Tops & The Spinners  Hull 1973

All of these were great value for money and cemented my love of soul music further.

 

 

Hi, I was at that show in Hull as well, was it the ABC theatre?

This will sound a bit sexist and non-PC, so apologies in advance - Early 1980's, out on a date, the dinner was shit, the movie was shit, the girl was shit too (at one point Bobby Womack's "California Dreamin'" came on the radio, she said, "I don't like this" - for me, that was the end right there); so I'm driving back to Manhattanadio on, catch an ad, Junior Walker is playing some club downtown.  If I push it I can catch the last set, so I hit the gas.  What a show - "Shotgun", "Road Runner", "Home Cookin'", he rock 'n' rolled without a pause, except for a beautiful "What Does It Take".  Second would  probably have to be  Bobby Blue Bland @ Max's Kansas City 1972; talk about "up close and personal" !  The memory of his version of "If Lovin' You Is Wrong I Don't Want To Be Right" still lingers - I even interviewed him a few days later - recently republished in an expanded version in Record Collector - it's available on my Rocks Back Pages page.  Would also have to include Aretha Franklin @ Apollo Theatre, mid 70's.  When she sat down at the piano for "Doctor Feelgood" the place just exploded !      

Edwin Starr millennium scooter rally Morecambe empire 

Yes MIDDLEMAN

 I think it was the ABC . Fairly close to the train station.

The Tops and the Spinners really put on a energy packed show dancing up and down the aisles and giving hi fives and handshakes to us fans.

Dells @ Trentham Gardens "98 1st gig in Europe !

Saw them a year later in Oakland with The Emotions & Bloodstone in the beuatiful Paramount Theatre,

Plenty of gigs in the 80s when I lived in London, Bobby Womack (numerous) Gil Scott Heron(numerous)

Chuck Brown & The Soul Searchers @ Town and Country Club

Anita Bakers 1st gig (Songstress LP )

Jean Carn 

Phyliss Hyman

Marlena Shaw

Johnny "Guitar" Watson (3hours late @ a sold out T&C won the crowd over in minutes)

James Brown with Maceo & Fred Wesley

Waylo Revue with Otis Clay, Ann Peebles

Really enjoyed Rufus Thomas in his "hot pants" too !

Cheers Paul

Jr Walker early 70's Manchester Apollo, even got a 5min chat with him after the gig in his dressing room and back to their hotel with the All-Stars later.  Jimmy Ruffin '73 started with 'What Becomes ...'  not a female dry eye by the end! well it was either the song or his skin tight all in one catsuit.  Four Tops twice again early 70's.   All these were superb live acts.  One that surprised me was George Michael (symphonica tour) Earls Court 2012, great voice with a full orchestra but not sure if I should admit I went.

Edited January 31, 20223 yr by Baldsoulie

35 minutes ago, Baldsoulie said:

Jr Walker early 70's Manchester Apollo, even got a 5min chat with him after the gig in his dressing room and back to their hotel with the All-Stars later.  Jimmy Ruffin '73 started with 'What Becomes ...'  not a female dry eye by the end! well it was either the song or his skin tight all in one catsuit.  Four Tops twice again early 70's.   All these were superb live acts.  One that surprised me was George Michael (symphonica tour) Earls Court 2012, great voice with a full orchestra but not sure if I should admit I went.

Your secrets safe on hear.

Northern wise  Chris Kings run of first time northern material with Snake Davis band with Popcorn Wylie and Eddie Holman. Both at Hinckley along with Junior Walker and Edwin Starr also at Hinckley were great too. Also a one off with Bunny Sigler/The Passadenas /Gwen Mcrae all on the same night at Peterborough Wirrina 1986ish.

I saw plenty of great non northern acts in the early mid 80s. Gerald Alston / David peaston/PhylissHyman/Roy Ayers/Will Downing. Most at Hammersmith.

Recently Nick Waterhouse.

Gwen McCrae, absolutely fabulous live

Marvin Smith Cala Gran

Far to many to mention

Rance Allen at the Stax Museum opening concert Memohis 2003

followed by

the Stax Volt UK tour at Manchester Palace 1967

James  Carr Utrecht 1990

Irma Thomas Colne 1992 (I’d seen her 8 times before this at various places and seen her more times since but this was absolutely the best I saw her- sublime)

Dells Trentham 1999

others too many to mention.

John

 

 

Sam Dees -  Southport

Randy Brown - The Shaw Theatre London

 Gene Chandler - Morecambe Pier

 

 

really surprised that Ann Sexton hasn't been mentioned, amazin live, also Marc Staggers is pretty impressive too 

And on the Soul / pop fringe, I have seen Lisa Stansfield 3 tines recently and really enjoyed all 3 nights.

I think it's her husband on percussion? He's very good. 

One of the nights was Northern themed with dancers and a DJ on at one point. 

 

Sounds of Blackness at Southport weekender were amazing. Terry Callier at Jazz Cafe but also saw him at another Southport weekender on the Sunday afternoon where only about 20 of us stayed to watch

luther awsum 

al green and candie staton

edwin star 

harold melvin and teddy 

2 hours ago, Jamesh said:

Sounds of Blackness at Southport weekender were amazing. Terry Callier at Jazz Cafe but also saw him at another Southport weekender on the Sunday afternoon where only about 20 of us stayed to watch

I'd forgotten about Terry Caller at the Jazz Cafe, a great shout.  Possibly the nicest man ever to make music.

EWF at bingley hall in the mud!

Brothers Johnson  Birmingham Odeon   

Ronnie Laws.  Birmingham Odeon 

Sharon Jones somewhere in Birmingham 

Ray Pollard - Prestatyn, truly awesome.

The Volumes - Prestatyn, mind blowing performance and truly moving, especially when they sang Lady in Green and Heart you're made of stone.

Gene Chandler - Stafford

Edwin Starr - Casino.  

 

 

 

Originals - Ritz Manchester (Richard's 50th).

Willie Tee - Cleggy Weekender.

Chris Clark / Tommy Good - Northampton Hotel.

Bobby Patterson - Fleetwood Weekender.

Roy Ayres - Dunstable California Ballroom.

Bobby Taylor / Carolyn Crawford - Birmingham Q Club.

Patti Austin - Blackpool Int Soul Fest.

( would loved to have seen Dee Dee Warwick / Deon Jackson - don't believe they ever made it to our shores ?)

7 hours ago, Becket said:

Originals - Ritz Manchester (Richard's 50th).

Willie Tee - Cleggy Weekender.

Chris Clark / Tommy Good - Northampton Hotel.

Bobby Patterson - Fleetwood Weekender.

Roy Ayres - Dunstable California Ballroom.

Bobby Taylor / Carolyn Crawford - Birmingham Q Club.

Patti Austin - Blackpool Int Soul Fest.

( would loved to have seen Dee Dee Warwick / Deon Jackson - don't believe they ever made it to our shores ?)

Forgot about the originals, amazing, the whole room seemed to gasp, as one of the vocalists erupted onto song, never seen that at any concert before. 

Lee Fields multiple times. Betty Harris, New Orleans, 2005 (her first comeback show besides one a few months earlier at a high school gymnasium). Howard Tate twice. Paul Sindab and John Ellison and the Masqueraders (separately) at Dig Deeper, NYC. Young Jessie. Allen Toussaint multiple times. G.C. Cameron. Tons more great performances, but these stand out as the ones that have moved me the most.

Saw Major Lance at the Top Rank in Doncaster, Must have been 73ish.

There hadn't been much publicity (none if honest) and not many more than about 40 people were in.

Sat talking to him for a while before he went on.

What a show he put on for those of us that had bothered to turn up. 

22 hours ago, markh55 said:

What a show he put on for those of us that had bothered to turn up. 

I had a similar experience in Liverpool late 70's I think, Wilson Picket supported by Phillip Mitchell, very sparse crowd but Mr Pickett sang his heart out. Don't know if I have persuaded myself this happened over the years but I recall he stopped singing until someone bought him a whiskey, anyone else there can confirm this. 

 

Hi

for me it was

Gene chandler -Stafford

Pop Corn Wylie -Hinkley

both fantastic live, popcorn did a fantastic version of Sam wards sister Lee

the place  was rocking

great times

ATB

Floyd

Durand Jones & The Indications was one of the best gigs I've been too with The Dip as support. A couple of years ago at the Islingston Assembly Hall and to top it off we met Durand in the Turkish over the road before the gig!

22 minutes ago, Floyd said:

Hi

for me it was

Gene chandler -Stafford

Pop Corn Wylie -Hinkley

both fantastic live, popcorn did a fantastic version of Sam wards sister Lee

the place  was rocking

great times

ATB

Floyd

Ric Tic review at Hinckley  was also excellent, also saw Martha Reeves at Hinckley 

she was also very good back in those days, but then again we were all a lot younger then

as i said great days, great music great, people.

ATB

Floyd

George Clintons Parliment / Funckadelics Birmingham Odean that was something special

Marvin Gaye same venue with Edwin Starr two of the very best

Earth Wind & Fire Bingley Hall Stafford

Jr Walker Baileys Leicester with Edwin

Palais Nottm all-dayer Four Tops with Edwin again

Major Lance Peterborough all-nighter

Biggest regret never seen Stevie Wonder