I’ve always loved this and just wondered about it’s history on the scene.

When was it first played, first went big, at it’s height of popularity etc etc.

Any info/tales gratefully received.

 

It was certainly big around '78 and for quite a few years after, well into the 80's. That's just the period I remember it, but it could have been around before '78

A great cheapie, often played it mid nineties ... "I still believe in you" is also worth a play

I heard it first time September 23 1977. Wigan 4th anniversary. 
Can’t say if it was M’s or main room. 
(my 17th birthday)

Was played by myself at  Cleethorpes Pier/ Winter Gardens & Prior To that gave it a few spins at the Friendship Inn (Keadby) Soul Nites so was on some early US Sales lists which is where mine possibly came from although could have been a UK purchase, a lot of water gone under the bridge since then for me 😄    

I thought I had a copy of Keep On but don't remember when so had a look through some old lists when I sold up in the 70s (seemed like a good idea at the time). On this page it's listed in the £1.00 each or any 5 for £4.00. It's not crossed out so looks like it didn't sell. This would have been late 1976 and I probably had bought a copy 2 or 3 years before. I don't remember hearing it in a club but could have had some play at Manchester's Pendulum. 

As it's on the same label as Joan Moody's We Must Be Doing Something Right it got a bit of reflected interest. I think Soul Bowl found quantities of Joan Moody around 74 so Sterling Magee may have been in the same haul. I got a copy of Joan Moody from HMV in Manchester for £1.25 so Soul Bowl must have had so many they sold it shops as well. 

At the time there were so many records turning up that Keep On didn't get a chance then but seems like it had it had more luck around 77-78 onwards.

 

Doesn’t ring any bells for me can’t say I heard it at the pendulum Rick