Ted Massey Robbery Records Stolen

[Siz Sale]

Hi Ted

i had all my records stolen at a "Rhyl" all dayer in fact it was one of the catalysts for me leaving the scene.

i did manage to get them back after giving a cast iron guarantee that they would not be prosecuted and it was all arranged through a third party.

It broke my heart and cost me about 25% of what the box of 150 records was worth but what is the alternative to see your years of toil and collecting go down the drain.

I funded it by selling 4 or 5 of my top tunes to save the rest, I still don't know to this day who was behind it but the mental turmoil between right and wrong tore me up and still does to this day.

i sincerely hope you have a happy outcome but somebody knows and an offer like mine however repugnant to some might just work. 

[Lord Emsworth]

Awful crime

Here's hoping the culprits get caught ASAP

[Stewart P]

hi ted,this is terrible news,somebody must know this person from your video,come on people tell the public who it is.awaiting to hear a name. stewart.  

[Soulmark]

I really hope ted gets the records back such a nice fella as a collector myself it is very worrying I wish ted all the best and he is ok

[Mark Bicknell]

15 hours ago, Bunderthollox said:

Not good at all that. Hope he recovers from this, aggressive entry to his house, that's heavy sentencing. They could have done much worse. 

That guy  ginger, pony tail maybe or thickly crimped/curly hair

as for the tattoo doesn't it look about like the outline of a Wolves FC  badge, maybe removed or covered over  for the robbery?

Now that it's been on the BBC all kinds of scumbags will looking at the prices and be saying how f*cking much, and I can see similar crimes unfortunately, maybe people out to  tighten up security for a little while.

 

Watch Auction Rooms for any movement as.well, I know boxes have been nicked in recent years at the odd nights but this surely  is a first. And yep a high level well planned robbery, not just random. 

Any idea on the accents.amd descriptions of the other rats 

 

 

 

I sent Ted a message as soon as he posted the devastating news to see if he was physically OK, this is a crime against us all and could be the catalyst for DJ's and Collectors to question continuing to share their Collections at public events, it's vile and something totally Alien to decent people, the emotion and anger that all of us are feeling right now makes us feel sick to the stomach, God knows how Ted must be feeling, a lovley, sincere, honest gentle man who has dedicated his life in the pursuit of Soul perfection to have it ripped away like this is shocking and as it's already been said as a collective Scene we will NOT stop until these people are found and dealt with either by the police, authorities or outside third party to seek justice and the return of these treasured records, myself and my partner Karen have talked constantly about this since it happened pretty sure everyone is doing the same, theories, who? why? are they simply chancers? was it planned? inside job? with the CCTY image pretty sure this individual is close to being nicked as someone will know him, this has to end well as we can't be looking over our shoulders waiting for it to happen again.

Edited February 28, 2023 by Mark Bicknell

[Ted Massey]

Thank you all for the kind comments im holding up ok at the moment just hope it doesn't go on for a long time. The police are looking into it and getting the cctv from the pub to see if i was followed. i was home by 7.30 and it happened at 11.30  they were in the house no longer than 2 minutes   

[Steviehay]

2 hours ago, Ted Massey said:

Thank you all for the kind comments im holding up ok at the moment just hope it doesn't go on for a long time. The police are looking into it and getting the cctv from the pub to see if i was followed. i was home by 7.30 and it happened at 11.30  they were in the house no longer than 2 minutes   

i'm sorry to hear all this put some feelers out for you like half the country has Ted ,good job they only got part of your wonderful collection,they weren't on a lighter note   after your shirts thank god stay safe this will be sorted!!!!1

[John Hart]

Hi Ted ,

           I share your pain , I have been burgaled 3 times in  the past 10 years , it  is the worst feeling,,,, all my belongings ramsacked , but no personal harm,,,,, all items can be replaced !   Stay Strong ,  Time Does  Heal,,," Nil Caborundum Bastardo"  , On behalf Of All Soul Source Friends,,,  LOL John Malaga Spain..

[Godzilla]

I've shared this in the private group of indie record shops that take part in RSD. Unlikely that they will be offered over the counter of a shop, but no harm in having these guys with their ear to the ground. Plus somebody might recognise the pic.

[Stephen Houghton]

Sorry to hear about this Ted.i hate thieves I would cut there hand off like the Arabs do scum low life nomarks

[Simsy]

I hope the records were insured. Not that they would be able to be replaced, but still. If progress is made and the records are recovered, that would be the best outcome.

Such a shocking act and I struggle to wonder that someone with some scene knowledge could sanction such an act. All the recipient could do is to keep them, as selling or playing them out are not an option. Buying pressings might have worked better.

 I’m glad you are okay Ted and I sincerely hope you can remain mentally strong and not suffer anymore than you already have.

If you need anything, say the word.

Edited February 28, 2023 by Simsy

[Mrmick]

I can't imagine what Ted went through. The most important thing is that he is OK.

Stay strong Ted our  thoughts are with you. Mick and Kevin 

 

[laparis]

Shocking news

All i can say is stay strong mate and thank God you are physically ok.That’s the most important thing.I am sure it terribly hurts especially collecting decades and huge pieces gone within 2 minutes that’s much be horrible.I hope these pricks will get caught.

[Richard Free]

Record thieves have always been a part of the soul scene .The crime  Ted has experienced was truly dreadful and something that will stay with him forever.Very often the records surface and are returned but the experience will cause  psychological damage and bring up trust issues that will linger.

I had records stolen by so called friends back in the 70s .I was a young lad at the time but it certainly knocked my confidence and my faith in the soul scene.That box of records was my life at the time .The case went to court and my mate and i received a pittance from the perpetrators for the records that were stolen  .

The police laughed at me when i told them the value of the records .I helped break the case myself when at Wigan a certain well known dj played one of the stolen records which as a regular i knew he didn't own .I went straight up to the decks and spotted it had the same markings as the missing record.I told the dj that i believed that was my record .Straight after the record finished playing the dj handed the record to me without looking at me .I was furious and nervous but headed straight  to the St Helens police the next day and a few months later i went to court.

I hope Ted gets his records back .I am sure the criminals who stole them are unaware of what they mean to him.Beyond money .Collectors pour their heart and soul into those boxes of records no matter what the value is.Each record has a story of where it was found and who you bought it from and how long you searched for it .Some records have deeper meanings including memories of lost friends or loved ones.Anyone who could steal these treasures could never understand this.

Was this done to order?Was it some scallywags that had no idea the deep shit they were getting into ?Was it jealousy ?These are the questions that go through my mind

[Len]

Hi Ted,

Firstly, like everyone else, my heart goes out to you. The records aside, this unpleasant experience is devastating.  It’s bad enough being burgled, but having intruders whilst you are there, I cannot imagine.

Then there is the loss of your lifetime’s commitment, your records. Each and every one of them meaning so much to you. I got burgled many moons ago, and this was while I was out at a Soul do.  It was two weeks before I was getting married (first time), the house had been trashed, and they nicked the wedding rings, leaving the empty ring boxes on our pillows (I should have seen that omen!)

I then noticed that my record box that I DJed from had been opened as the latches were undone - I felt sick, shot over to see what was missing, and the comedy side of this being……”Oh, they didn’t even take one!”…….I was quite offended, and half expected a tape from the burglars to drop through the letterbox the next day 

Ted, you are in all our thoughts.

If there is a ‘just giving’ page set up, can someone add the link to this thread?  It would be great if we were to enable Ted to replace some of his records. But let’s not give up hope just yet.

All the best,

Len.

[Rick Scott]

Can't put words together how you must be feeling Ted and all the people on here have covered it all so well for me, just so thankful no physicle harm was done to you but it is the mental and stressful harm too and i can relate to that having records stolen by two low life's who I thought were my friends who were coming to my house for tea, coffee, biscuits and listening to my records, the thing was i only missed them when i went to play the records during a set or in the house and found they were missing.

On another occasion coming out of the Cleethorpes Pier All Nighter i was physically jumped on by a group of Burly Guys who tried to wrench my 500 Box from me but luckely the rest of the party from our coach were behind me and fought them as I was in no position to do anything but keep hold of that box, bearing in mind one other friend was carrying a large singles box for me and another my LP\12" singles Box, but luckily no harm was done to them , we latter found out these guys were from the Manchester area and known to carry shot guns in the boots of their cars which sends a chill down my spine, with more and more Record thefts going on these days leaving venues on you own is scary as a DJ, so yes Ted i can really feel your Pain, Hope these low Life's are caught  as soon as possible and more to the point your Treasured Records come back to you Intact.

Take Care My Friend, everyone on here has you in their Thoughts every Minute, every Hour, every Day.

[Andybellwood]

On 27/02/2023 at 19:00, Andybellwood said:

Our thoughts are with you Ted . 

Picked up by the BBC

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-64785154.amp

Now in NME 

https://www.nme.com/news/music/thieves-steal-revered-northern-soul-dj-ted-masseys-record-collection-3405096

[Amsterdam Russ]

7 minutes ago, Andybellwood said:

Now in NME 

https://www.nme.com/news/music/thieves-steal-revered-northern-soul-dj-ted-masseys-record-collection-3405096

It's been there for a couple of days and, like a number of other pieces of online reporting around this incident, its journalistic accuracy is crap. This piece states "...the thieves took his extensive record collection."

No, they didn't. They took two boxes. Get your facts straight, NME!

[Kenb]

44 minutes ago, Amsterdam Russ said:

It's been there for a couple of days and, like a number of other pieces of online reporting around this incident, its journalistic accuracy is crap. This piece states "...the thieves took his extensive record collection."

No, they didn't. They took two boxes. Get your facts straight, NME!

I think on this occasion Russ, better to over-report than not at all. If it were one taken it would still feel like shit.

[Bbrich]

Total sympathies for Ted - an unimaginable experience and loss.  Lets just hope these records somehow get returned and it doesn't put Ted off doing what he does best and sharing them with crowds around the country. Whoever is behind this or is tempted to keep quiet if anything comes their way has in some way attacked the whole scene... we have probably lost the opportunity to ever listen or dance to some of these records at a proper event. Every one will be even more nervous regarding their own collections. DJ's will have to be on their guard to and from events etc...

[waynerowe57]

On 28/02/2023 at 14:13, Ted Massey said:

Thank you all for the kind comments im holding up ok at the moment just hope it doesn't go on for a long time. The police are looking into it and getting the cctv from the pub to see if i was followed. i was home by 7.30 and it happened at 11.30  they were in the house no longer than 2 minutes   

Keep the faith ted the little shits will be caught at least your health is ok

[Timbo58]

https://gofund.me/7b60ace8

Mick H has set up a crowdfund to raise £10k as a reward for successful retrieval of the discs.

Great idea Mick.

 

[Davey S]

 

On 27/02/2023 at 11:12, Brent said:

 

Update on Teds PosT added

 

 

 

im feeling more suicidal as I add things 

 

Arthur Wills

 

United sounds 

 

Salt and pepper 

 

Joseph Webster 

 

Hamilton movement 

 

Rideout 

 

Appointments 

 

Reggie Alexander 

 

Tommy ridgley 

 

Volumes Karen 

 

Pee wee shuck and Huey 

 

Pat lewis 

 

Seville

 

Johnny Rogers

 

Johnny McCall

 

J P Robinson

 

True image x2

 

Infinity 

 

Jimmy bo horn 

 

Mixed feelings 

 

Patterson twins Malaco

 

Pro fascination

 

Mark 1V 7”

 

Gloria Barnes 7”

 

Barbara King Gulfstream

 

The Camaros 

 

Magnetics Count

 

Lee McKinney I’ll keep holding on

 

Flash mckinnly

 

Mr soul

 

Brand new 

 

Roy Roberts so much in love 

 

Montclairs Hey you

 

Differences 5mins

 

Willie tee I’m having so much fun

 

Willie Tee teasing you 

 

Mel Williams groove my mind

 

Mel Williams Sweet girl of mine

 

Summits Toy soldier yellow label

 

Poets Wrapped around 

 

Chuck Cockerham 

 

Betty wilson I’m yours

 

 

 

 

 

Hi Ted

 

If there is any positive from this i would say these have been stolen to sell or to fit in some piece of shitz collection either way they are gonna be looked after they will not want to damage them they obviously know there value. 

Hopefully the Law catch up with these pricks and retrieve them soon , stay strong.

Dave.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Andybellwood]

More from the BBC

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-64906191.amp

[Zoomsoulblue]

Just be aware not everyone thinks like soul / record collectors - it maybe there’s so much heat on the records they have been dumped, the list of records stolen has been made public so all the 4K plus records get rid - and bleed the 1k - 3k back through numerous sales sites.

Edited March 13, 2023 by Source
edited post as the quotes seemed messed up?

[Mikevague]

I unfortunately have been hit hard too.

In the last 4 months I have lost over 50,000 records most through air vents above my garage that have since been secured. LPS 45s 78s. 2 “friends” who set me up..

many have appeared on a few east coast auctions (the big guys) consistently since.

Since I have no inventory lists, and no cctv footage (hacked), I’m 100% out of pocket. I haven’t sold at any shows now for month due to security concerns.

My life is upside down now.

The police want a list and footage and are condescending.

Records are hard to get back once they’re gone.

Organized setup against me that is getting others rich now.

yes, many rare ones have vanished.

[Mikevague]

Sorry about your losses, Ted.

I understand.

[Richard Free]

Mike Vague I am so sorry to hear this .If there is anything I can do from this side of the ocean please message me .Hope to see you soon ,Richard 

[Motownmagic]

So many scumbags out there just to ruin people lives 

quite sometime ago at a local  soul nite I had two rare records stolen 

Terri Goodnight on Phelecton

and Johnny Hampton on Dotty , both are rare and extremely expensive.

On 28/02/2023 at 10:35, Siz Sale said:

Hi Ted

i had all my records stolen at a "Rhyl" all dayer in fact it was one of the catalysts for me leaving the scene.

i did manage to get them back after giving a cast iron guarantee that they would not be prosecuted and it was all arranged through a third party.

It broke my heart and cost me about 25% of what the box of 150 records was worth but what is the alternative to see your years of toil and collecting go down the drain.

I funded it by selling 4 or 5 of my top tunes to save the rest, I still don't know to this day who was behind it but the mental turmoil between right and wrong tore me up and still does to this day.

i sincerely hope you have a happy outcome but somebody knows and an offer like mine however repugnant to some might just work. 

And yes you guessed it I never got them back 

On 28/02/2023 at 10:35, Siz Sale said:

Hi Ted

i had all my records stolen at a "Rhyl" all dayer in fact it was one of the catalysts for me leaving the scene.

i did manage to get them back after giving a cast iron guarantee that they would not be prosecuted and it was all arranged through a third party.

It broke my heart and cost me about 25% of what the box of 150 records was worth but what is the alternative to see your years of toil and collecting go down the drain.

I funded it by selling 4 or 5 of my top tunes to save the rest, I still don't know to this day who was behind it but the mental turmoil between right and wrong tore me up and still does to this day.

i sincerely hope you have a happy outcome but somebody knows and an offer like mine however repugnant to some might just work. 

 

[Mikevague]

It’s astounding the nerve of these individuals. They are selling records stolen from me to my contacts, and at shows I helped them book. Words cannot describe the pain and misery they’ve caused. And they still keep coming back.. it’s not easy to catch them, even though I’m very aware who they are.

Be careful. Your locks and security system will mean nothing when you become a targeted individual.

Edited March 30, 2023 by Mikevague

[Ted Massey]

On 20/03/2023 at 18:28, Mikevague said:

I unfortunately have been hit hard too.

In the last 4 months I have lost over 50,000 records most through air vents above my garage that have since been secured. LPS 45s 78s. 2 “friends” who set me up..

many have appeared on a few east coast auctions (the big guys) consistently since.

Since I have no inventory lists, and no cctv footage (hacked), I’m 100% out of pocket. I haven’t sold at any shows now for month due to security concerns.

My life is upside down now.

The police want a list and footage and are condescending.

Records are hard to get back once they’re gone.

Organized setup against me that is getting others rich now.

yes, many rare ones have vanished.

Low life bastards Mike

[Mikevague]

It definitely takes the wind out of your sails…

Liabilities and fear of theft are a millstone. There is no justification or excuse for theft, especially these records. They are a part of us and our life’s work. 40 years, non stop, I did this. Those who can’t work for their wares, but steal them, have gained no value, even the cash when sold is cursed.  Karma is real. 
Someday these vermin will regret it.

[Mikevague]

Btw I will not be in Den Bosch Holland this time..

 

[Merve]

2 hours ago, Mikevague said:

It definitely takes the wind out of your sails…

Liabilities and fear of theft are a millstone. There is no justification or excuse for theft, especially these records. They are a part of us and our life’s work. 40 years, non stop, I did this. Those who can’t work for their wares, but steal them, have gained no value, even the cash when sold is cursed.  Karma is real. 
Someday these vermin will regret it.

Hope you are right about Karma. These ba---ard- deserve it !

How will they shift big ticket numbers without being noticed...They have got to have been nicked to order from another collector. 

[Mikevague]

The instigators of my theft will be set up and selling at a very big record show in europe this weekend. 

Buyers beware,  they are selling blood diamonds..

They have raped my collection, stock, and family. Keep that in mind before you support criminal activity.

They are Americans, I used to share space with them.

Be careful, it can happen to any of us.

 

[Chris Anderton]

Mike, I am so sorry this has happened to you.

I hope you and your family are ok.

 

Chris

[Zoomsoulblue]

Any genuine up date of Teds theft / robbery/ aggravated burglary as it’s been sometime, unfortunately am sure it’s not at the top of the Polices - things to do list ?
 

[Ted Massey]

A

15 hours ago, Zoomsoulblue said:

Any genuine up date of Teds theft / robbery/ aggravated burglary as it’s been sometime, unfortunately am sure it’s not at the top of the Polices - things to do list ?
 

The police are working hard on the case