Just been listening to Richard Searling's excellent Mecca podcast from a couple of years ago in which he talks about travelling up to Blackpool with Simon Soussan

Interestingly he says 'Simon Soussan made Wigan Casino, sent loads of records over, a lot of them exclusives - created Wigan'

I was only 3 or 4 years old around 1974 so obviously have no first hand knowledge, but struck me as interesting that he was so clear about Soussan's involvement, influence, etc. I always assumed SS was just a record dealer type who got lucky with few home made versions or backing tracks but no more than that 

Was it felt at the time by the general crowd  i.e. you lot that Soussan was pulling a lot of strings at Wigan?

Richard’s take on Soussan’s involvement is pretty accurate. Certainly 1973-75 he was undoubtedly the prime influence. 
To clear up your notion of a ‘record dealer type who just got lucky with a few home made versions’……….you can be forgiven for thinking that. However, if you knew him, he was very creative and passionate about Northern who stamped his mark with unique  ideas and more importantly incredible finds. 
He was an excitable person. Infectious and knowledgeable and generally a good guy. 
Some may paint a different picture………

31 minutes ago, Chris Turnbull said:

Interestingly he [Richard Searling] says 'Simon Soussan made Wigan Casino, sent loads of records over, a lot of them exclusives - created Wigan'

That seems to be the answer to me...

14 minutes ago, Goldsoul said:

more importantly incredible finds. 

Can you give some examples Kev?

3 hours ago, Chris Turnbull said:

Can you give some examples Kev?

Sure can………Epitome of Sound, Paul Anka, Dean Courtney, Seven Souls, Sandra Phillips, Checkerboard Squares, Willie Hutch, Detroit Soul, Tony Middleton, Jeanette Williams ‘Something’, Footsee(awful but creatively worked) and many many more.  

He didn't create Wigan. He helped discover a lot of new records to play. Wigan was a continuation of the all-nighters that had preceded it, like the Wheel, Torch etc. 

It was a big top notch dance floor within walking distance of a two main line railway station's and very near a motorway. This with a licence to play records on a Saturday, all-night  through till  Sunday morning. That's some of the many things that created Wigan Casino, and also the timing was right for it to happen.

Edited April 30, 20223 yr by D9 Ktf