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Ian Clark-top Man Or What


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We've had threads about Ian Levine, Richard Searling and many great venues. But to many who's first allniters were Yate or The 100 Club, he was the man. Ian's situation means he doesn't get out much nowadays, but it would be nice for you guys to put up your memories (Top Tunes) and plaudits to the great man. Then at some stage, I'll get him to read it or send it to him. Just thought it would be nice to let him know that many of us miss him.

For many years he was one of my closest friends, he staying at my place every weekend that Yate was on and me at his every time we went up the smoke. He gave me loads of encouragement as a young DJ, helped me find tunes and was a alround top bloke. I always think of him as one of the most important dj's the scene has had, particular achievement, as he did not come from the midlands or north of england.

So come on lets be having ya.

Edited by Dave Thorley
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We've had threads about Ian Levine, Richard Searling and many great venues. But to many who's first allniters were Yate or The 100 Club, he was the man. Ian's situation means he doesn't get out much nowadays, but it would be nice for you guys to put up your memories and plaudits to the great man. Then at some stage, I'll get him to read it or send it to him. Just thought it would be nice to let him know that many of us miss him.

For many years he was one of my closest friends, he staying at my place every weekend that Yate was on and me at his every time we went up the smoke. He gave me loads of encouragement as a young DJ, helped me find tunes and was a alround top bloke. I always think of him as one of the most important dj's the scene has had, particular achievement, as he did not come from the midlands or north of england.

So come on lets be having ya.

We miss him,thats all i can manage cant see keyboard migrain.Ken

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He gave me loads of encouragement as a young DJ, helped me find tunes and was a alround top bloke. I always think of him as one of the most important dj's the scene has had, particular achievement, as he did not come from the midlands or north of england.

That says it all Dave - except you forgot the odd socks! :huh:

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We've had threads about Ian Levine, Richard Searling and many great venues. But to many who's first allniters were Yate or The 100 Club, he was the man. Ian's situation means he doesn't get out much nowadays, but it would be nice for you guys to put up your memories and plaudits to the great man. Then at some stage, I'll get him to read it or send it to him. Just thought it would be nice to let him know that many of us miss him.

For many years he was one of my closest friends, he staying at my place every weekend that Yate was on and me at his every time we went up the smoke. He gave me loads of encouragement as a young DJ, helped me find tunes and was a alround top bloke. I always think of him as one of the most important dj's the scene has had, particular achievement, as he did not come from the midlands or north of england.

So come on lets be having ya.

Ian Clark, top bloke loved to hear him DJ whenever we ventured "darn sowth" or at the early Cleethorpes weekenders/ 100 club etc. got to know him quite well over the years before meeting Karen. I would say he is (was) a DJs DJ. :huh:

Rob & Karen

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We've had threads about Ian Levine, Richard Searling and many great venues. But to many who's first allniters were Yate or The 100 Club, he was the man. Ian's situation means he doesn't get out much nowadays, but it would be nice for you guys to put up your memories and plaudits to the great man. Then at some stage, I'll get him to read it or send it to him. Just thought it would be nice to let him know that many of us miss him.

For many years he was one of my closest friends, he staying at my place every weekend that Yate was on and me at his every time we went up the smoke. He gave me loads of encouragement as a young DJ, helped me find tunes and was a alround top bloke. I always think of him as one of the most important dj's the scene has had, particular achievement, as he did not come from the midlands or north of england.

So come on lets be having ya.

I have to jump on this thread from the off, without question Ian Clark is the single most important mentor to me as a collector and DJ,his contribution to the Northern scene during the late 70's and 80's was outstanding, top man at Yate (sorry Dave) early Stafford again top man, West Hampstead pre 100 Club Ian was there, The 100 Club was his all of it during the early days of the now legendary 6T's Allnighters, his taste in records was/is top class, remember early 80's without fail Ian would deliver keeping well ahead of the record collecting game, his spots were awesome, Paris, Bobby Kline, Jock Mitchell, Brooks Brothers, Johnny Rodgers, Four Tracks, Eric Mercury, Empires, Roger Hatcher, Joann Courcy, Gene Toones, Cashmeres, Chico Lamarr.... the list and quality was endless.

And a very generous man too I remember walking into the 100 Club early 80's just before the Allnighter started and it was around the time that records were sold and traded at the front of the stage, Ian turned round to me and said "There's a Cashmeres in there" pointing to this little 50 box "If your interested"?........gulp! "how much"??? "fifty quid" replied Ian, you can guess what happened next! surfice to say I still have that record in my collection.

Ian has never had an attitude or ego did'nt need to with the records he had, more importantly as Dave said Ian is missed so much as DJ and as a friend, I've openly said on more than one ocassion that Ian Clark was and still is my soul and inspiration, I've always tried to present what I do as a DJ with the same passion and integrity that Ian projected when I was a teenager just getting into Northern.

Respect Mr Clark.

Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Edited by Mark Bicknell
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Guest in town Mikey

Sorry I do go on.....

Being sixteen and in a room full of twenty somethings, and even some real old grandads of thirty plus was both exhillerating, and frightening in the same measure. I was taken to Yate by some of the South Wales guys, Vince Hill, Bosun, Conway Jones, and some of the Stroud and Gloucester guys (What ever happened to Wogger and his mates?). They seemed to know everybody, and everybody seemed to know them. A few people were introduced to me, and a few were really nice. Some though were not particualry happy to see a kid in there. (At 16 I looked 11, at 23 I was stopped going into the roundabout for not being over 18, and had to drive back to Dursley to get my passport).

I was hooked already thanks to places like the Subs rooms in Stroud and the Wheelrights in Gloucester but was still what might be described as 'on the cusp'. I was a Soul boy with mostly mod or scooterist mates. I'd bought a scooter just to be like them, but Northern Soul was my passion. Yate could still tho have driven me away from Northern Soul to the scootering thing, or it could prove to be the magnet that kept me coming back.

At Yate I'd had some record dealers try to scam me. One even took an issue of 'Hide Nor Hair' off me and said he only sold to Northern Soul fans.

Anyway....I was introduced to Ian by one of our older group. I was clutching a record I'd bought on an English issue, probably Adams Apples. Ian sat down for ages talking about labels. Giving me a few tips on originals and the like, and basically just being an all round great guy. He even asked me what my fave record was, and played L.Allen for me later in the night. At 16 or possibly 17 by this point, it had a great effect on me. As much as I loved the music I was enthralled by the cameradrie of the scene. Having mates with Scouse, Scottish, Brummie etc accents made me feel grown up. Ian helped me in more ways that night, than just a tip on what bootlegs were doing the rounds at that time.

I've never put anyone on the soul scene on a pedestal. I've met guys who are big name DJs who were complete arses, and others who were as good a person as you could meet. And thats what Ian was to me. He's not a mate. I maybe spoke to him a dozen times, always at Yate or the 100 club. (Maybe Swanage too). But you'd never get a bad word out of my mouth about the fella.

My memory is never great on detail, but I have a top ten from my early Yate days. I have no idea who was playing them but it was along the lines of:

Rufus Lumley - Stringer than me (Still my fave, and I believe it was Hippo)

Larry Allen - Cant we talk it over

Elbie Parker - Please Keep away from me.

Gia Matteo - If you cant say anything nice

Bobby Sheen - Dr Love

Orlons - Envy

Christine Cooper - Heartaches away

Frankie Crocker - Danger Zone (c/u) - Souling by Willie & mighty magnificents

Marva Hicks - Looking over my shoulder

Appollas - Mr Creator

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Guest matt tees

I have to jump on this thread from the off, without question Ian Clark is the single most important mentor to me as a collector and DJ,his contribution to the Northern scene during the late 70's and 80's was outstanding, top man at Yate (sorry Dave) early Stafford again top man, West Hampstead pre 100 Club Ian was there, The 100 Club was his all of it during the early days of the now legendary 6T's Allnighters, his taste in records was/is top class, remember early 80's without fail Ian would deliver keeping well ahead of the record collecting game, his spots were awesome, Paris, Bobby Kline, Jock Mitchell, Brooks Brothers, Johnny Rodgers, Four Tracks, Eric Mercury, Empires, Roger Hatcher, Joann Courcy, Gene Toones, Cashmeres, Chico Lamarr.... the list and quality was endless.

And a very generous man too I remember walking into the 100 Club early 80's just before the Allnighter started and it was around the time that records were sold and traded at the front of the stage, Ian turned round to me and said "There's a Cashmeres in there" pointing to this little 50 box "If your interested"?........gulp! "how much"??? "fifty quid" replied Ian, you can guess what happened next! surfice to say I still have that record in my collection.

Ian has never had an attitude or ego did'nt need to with the records he had, more importantly as Dave said Ian is missed so much as DJ and as a friend, I've openly said on more than one ocassion that Ian Clark was and still is my soul and inspiration, I've always tried to present what I do as a DJ with the same passion and integrity that Ian projected when I was a teenager just getting into Northern.

Respect Mr Clark.

Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Well said Mark you've nailed it right on the head!! Top Guy and definately one of the nicest guys I've ever met on the soul scene. Ian was a massive influence to me at Yate when he played consistently fabulous sets pushing the boundaries but playing quality tuneage!! I met up with Ian recently at an alldayer in Norwich and it gave me great priviledge to dedicate a record to one of the finest DJ's ever on the soul scene. God bless you Ian, you have given so much enjoyment and enlightement to so many in the late 70s and early 80's.

Sean Chapman

Edited by matt tees
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Nice thread Dave and particularly well timed with Ian's disappointment at not having been able to make Kent's 25th.

Ian was a major part of Kent and 6TS early success in that vital time that got us off the ground and established us as a major soul scene. His graphics for the flyers and Kent LPs were inspirational and unique, thereby giving us a rewcognised image; classy, wacky and fun.

His record collection was up there with the best of them and he always had his ear to the ground for new discoveries and hot tips. He crossed right across the soul spectrum and the emphasis was always more on soul than the beat so he fitted in perfectly with Randy and eventually my ethos. Like so many have said before on Soul Source, i'm sure it was his being at the 100 Club, with that great collection, that broadened its reputation nationwide instead of just being a London based scene.

Please add any more memories of Ian and his DJing, I'm sure it will give him a big boost when he particularly needs it.

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I can only endorse everything written above. He was a hugely influential deejay for me. A lot of Ian's sets from the 100 Club and Stafford would still sound 'upfront' today: not merely in terms of the actual records played but in terms of the thinking behind what he did. The mixture of sixties, seventies and eighties soul in one set was by no means unique at the time, but the sheer quality of records with which Ian did it certainly was.

A particular spin which stands out above all the others was Cliff Nobles "This Feeling Of Lonliness" on Roulette spun early doors at the 100 Club. To play such a marvellous but cheap record in a set with the then-new Tommy Ridgley and George Pepp was inspired.

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Yep, my fave dj of all time, only used to hear him play at the 100 club & the Cleethorpes weekenders but he was well ahead of everyone else imo.

This was back in the mid 9ts when the Northern Soul scene was fantastic & you could still play interesting sets & get away with it, Detroit stompers, Beat Ballads, shufflers etc. & Ian had the best of the lot & knew how to put them altogether in one set.

Unfortunately with the demise of djs such as Ian, Andy Rix etc. some of the interest has gone out of it for me & the djing is just not of the very high standard it was when these type of people were behind the decks, it's what i always wanted to aspire to but i think nowadays you're pretty much flogging a dead horse, glad i've got the great memories of when Ian's djing used to make my weekend!

Simon :huh:

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I can only endorse everything written above. He was a hugely influential deejay for me. A lot of Ian's sets from the 100 Club and Stafford would still sound 'upfront' today: not merely in terms of the actual records played but in terms of the thinking behind what he did. The mixture of sixties, seventies and eighties soul in one set was by no means unique at the time, but the sheer quality of records with which Ian did it certainly was.

A particular spin which stands out above all the others was Cliff Nobles "This Feeling Of Lonliness" on Roulette spun early doors at the 100 Club. To play such a marvellous but cheap record in a set with the then-new Tommy Ridgley and George Pepp was inspired.

Great DJ brilliant taste, odd socks & red spex :(

Above all a modest & friendly bloke, never thought he was above talking to the common or garden Soul fan.

Mark & Mikey spot on :huh: ......good call Dave great thread :lol:

All the best Ian

Dave G

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Top top dj. Great record dealer, but most importantly, a true gentleman.

Amen Steve,

Always look forward to my annual catch up with the Clark boys at Soul Essence.

Love having a rummage through their incredibly interesting Sales Boxes... and a really good bit of banter.

Ian is a Soul DJ with truly excellent taste...

...now there's a Real rarity!

:huh:

Sean

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The finest Rare Soul DJ I've had the pleasure of hearing.

Always inventive and always willing to be daring with his selections which were picked for their quality rather than their pricetag.

Thanks, Mr Clark.

Edited by sweeney
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Guest soul diva

Met Ian in the late 80's when he and Wayne M did the 'The Metropolitan' in Farringdon Road - though someone mentioned the place has been demolished a few years back and also at a soul do on a wednesday night in Kingston upon Thames, not sure what the pub was called.............

Such a genuine guy - time to chat to everyone and the most knowledgeable guy on the soul scene.

Last time I saw him was at Soul Essence a few years back.......

Agree - Top Man !!

Debbie

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I cant really add a lot to what has already been said, but Ian is an awesome DJ & inspired to say the least, a really friendly, knowledgeable guy who always has time for people & great laugh too, for me he's up there with Richard Searling as one of the all time greats.

It would be totally unfair not to mention Ians huge contribution to the Modern scene also.

Aswell as the records already mentioned, I would like to add Franky & Johnny, Soul Communicators, Bernie Williams & many many many others, a lot of which travelled very well & in some cases were attributed to other DJ's/Venues, ................personal faverourites were Ramona Collins & the fantastic Tony Middleton - Spanish Maiden.

He personally inspired me with regards to playing sets of records together that were very diverse at times, but deffo worked, the venues that influenced the whole NS Scene for the better, were the venues where Ian graced the decks Yate, 100 Club & Stafford to name a few, but there were many more including the Modern Venues.

I miss Ian's presence on the scene & I really hope that Ian will DJ at some point again, I know I'll be at the front of the line.

I f you read this mate, say hello to the rest of the family & I hope all is well.

Russ

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As Sean has already said, the key to Ians success was he had great taste as well as the rare ones. Great times at 'Function at the junction' in the 80s. Really fun times,nothing po faced at all about the do.

Also the White Horse in Putney and the Phoenix as well. A great guy into the bargain,my favourite dj, hopefully he will come back for a last hurrah. :thumbsup:

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Guest TONY ROUNCE

In answer to this multiple choice question, I'd like to select the 'what' option, please :thumbsup: ...

Seriously, Ian's a decent cove and a very good DJ. Life's dealt him a difficult personal hand and he's coping with it as well as any of us would under the same circumstances. I personally feel that he'd be a bit embarrassed by this display of adulation (I know that I would, in his shoes) and so I won't make any real contribution it other than to say that, at his peak, few knew how to fill a floor better than the man like I. Clark....

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Guest uroffal

One of the nicest, most genuine people I've ever had the pleasure of knowing. Knowledgable, ahead of his time in so many ways, great sets and one of the people who genuinely made 'newcomers' welcome.

When I think of the 100 club it's his early '80s sets that spring immediately to mind (the highlight of almost every nighter I attended there).

Too many great records to name them all, but these will always stick out for me:

Willie Tee - Please Don't Go

Martells - Where Can My Baby Be

Sam Fletcher - I'd Think It Over

Cashmeres - Showstopper/Don't Let The Door Hit Your Back

Garland Green - Ain't That Good Enough

Randy Brown - Always In The Mood

Edited by uroffal
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Without any disrespect to the other great djs at Yate I'd have to say the Clarkie was the Yate allnighter. Always had loads of new discoveries, had great taste in music - which is the mark of a great dj. Searling was Wigan Casino and the only dj to match him at the time, was Clarkie. He was actually one of the live acts I wanted to see at the Kent anniversary.

Can't make the Yate anniversary as I'm running my night on Dec 1st but I'd seriously consider missing my own night to make it if he was playing.

Can't say much more. Come back Clarkie - WE MISS YOU.

Warren

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Great thread Dave,

Some great and well deserved tributes for an all round top bloke who always fills the floor focussing on QUALITY SOUL tunes from the 60`s and 70`s.

In addition to those tunes already mentioned by others I would like to add Soul Bros Inc - Pyramid and The Ohio Players version of Love slipped thru my fingers with Towanda Barnes (I think) on lead vocal.

Ian, If you read this, hope you`re ok mate, the Cleethorpes chalet crew always raise a glass to you whenever we get together.

Cheers

Charlie

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Guest gordon russell

HEY UP DAVE,good thread....bout time someone put a thread together about this top fella. he had great taste in soul music before taste was invented. remember him fondly from yate the starlight room at westhamstead (the start of the 6t's) and kirby bellars. what a great ,great bloke. used to love a pint and a laugh

BRING IM BACK ......then you'll see what a dj is all the best terry yes.gif:P

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Guest Gavin Page

We've had threads about Ian Levine, Richard Searling and many great venues. But to many who's first allniters were Yate or The 100 Club, he was the man. Ian's situation means he doesn't get out much nowadays, but it would be nice for you guys to put up your memories (Top Tunes) and plaudits to the great man. Then at some stage, I'll get him to read it or send it to him. Just thought it would be nice to let him know that many of us miss him.

For many years he was one of my closest friends, he staying at my place every weekend that Yate was on and me at his every time we went up the smoke. He gave me loads of encouragement as a young DJ, helped me find tunes and was a alround top bloke. I always think of him as one of the most important dj's the scene has had, particular achievement, as he did not come from the midlands or north of england.

So come on lets be having ya.

A Dear Friend ! A True Gentleman ! A Hero As A Dj.

One of lifes top people in my book !!!

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Guest vinylvixen

Jerry Hipkiss will support me on this....Clarkie commandeering a shopping trolley and wheeling his record box down the road to the venue at Bedford - Nev Wherry and Soul Sam ( I think) were on the same bill. Also, Clarkie the chivalrous gent - covering up my t-shirt slogan 'F*ck Art, let's dance' in case it caused offence ( laugh.gif:P:D ) or maybe he was checking whether my assets were genuine. The photographic evidence can be seen in the top right hand corner of the Kent CD 'In the Beginning'....Ady has the full set of snaps from that night at West Hampstead. His flyers for West Hampstead are stashed away in my collection of 'important soul memorabillia' - genius art work and I consider it the visual 'zeitgeist' of the 7Ts soul scene...and then, there's Clarkie the DJ. My first trip up to Cleethorpes wasn't until 1998 - when Clarkie played Buddy Smith's 'When the one you love', it was as if time had stopped.....the atmosphere and emotion was amazing. Clarkie you're missed - come back baby come back....Jo x

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Haven't seen Clarky in years! I used to catch him @ record fairs now and then when he was working for some guys in Guildford in the late 80's.

I first met him circa 1972/73 whenever I travelled down to London record hunting. He was always @ Cheapo Cheapo in Berwick Street and we'd natter for hours about Northern Soul whilst I'd pick up stuff like the Ideals, the Heartbreakers and the Vontastics for 25p a pop from the stall - I think this may have been even prior to Ady working there.....

So I've actually known him 35 years gulp!

I did hope to see him @ the Forum the other week - Mike Ritson hinted that he may make it but 'cest la vie.

Hope he's OK. He's always been a top Soul Man as long as I can remember!

Best,

Ian Dewhirst

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I disagree...he sold me a boot of Big Joe Turner as an original when i first started, on some black label...i phoned him and he convinced me it was an original and would not give me a refund.... see them all day long in boxes now for a fiver..

Never went to Yate.....so cant comment on his tunes personally but i never forgot he sold me a boot and would`nt admit it........still pisses me off to this day.......

Chris

Sounds very odd, I've bought off Ian for well over 20 years and never know him to deal in boots of any kind, so if he did sell it to you, he must have been covinced it was an original surely?

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Guest soultan

heres the man in action at the 6t's early 80's. ian was/is and will continue to be a legend. thanks to him for so many good times. i owe ya ian.

post-8436-1193883230_thumb.jpg

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Without any disrespect to the other great djs at Yate I'd have to say the Clarkie was the Yate allnighter.

You won't hear any argument from the rest of us, Clarky was the leader and we all followed on as best we could :thumbup: ...and if Ian's embarrassed about the adulation I'm sure it will pass when he realises that he's always been appreciated!

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My memory is never great on detail, but I have a top ten from my early Yate days. I have no idea who was playing them but it was along the lines of:

Rufus Lumley - Stronger than me (Still my fave, and I believe it was Hippo)

Larry Allen - Cant we talk it over

Elbie Parker - Please Keep away from me.

Gia Matteo - If you cant say anything nice

Bobby Sheen - Dr Love

Orlons - Envy

Christine Cooper - Heartaches away

Frankie Crocker - Danger Zone (c/u) - Souling by Willie & mighty magnificents

Marva Hicks - Looking over my shoulder

Appollas - Mr Creator

Mikey, I can't take the credit for the Rufus Lumley, as it was Ian who played it first...Ian Stewart had the LP, and fairly soon after that I started playing it when I picked up one from Danny Everard - still got it in fact, so I'll have to put it in in the box for the reunion!

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I can only endorse everything written above. He was a hugely influential deejay for me. A lot of Ian's sets from the 100 Club and Stafford would still sound 'upfront' today: not merely in terms of the actual records played but in terms of the thinking behind what he did. The mixture of sixties, seventies and eighties soul in one set was by no means unique at the time, but the sheer quality of records with which Ian did it certainly was.

A particular spin which stands out above all the others was Cliff Nobles "This Feeling Of Lonliness" on Roulette spun early doors at the 100 Club. To play such a marvellous but cheap record in a set with the then-new Tommy Ridgley and George Pepp was inspired.

I think Mark Bicknell's comments summed up Ian's impact on a lot of people. But this one ads another dimension to describing what a great DJ Ian was and how much feeling he had for the music - totally unafraid to play common-or-garden cheapies alongside the big hitting stuff, simply because they were great records and fitted the set. For me, the cheapie in those early 80s 100 Club niters that exemplified Ian's impeccable taste was Deon Jackson's "I Can't Go On".

Great DJ and, echoing other people's remarks on the collecting side, a total gentleman always willing to share his knowledge and experience.

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Mikey, I can't take the credit for the Rufus Lumley, as it was Ian who played it first...Ian Stewart had the LP, and fairly soon after that I started playing it when I picked up one from Danny Everard - still got it in fact, so I'll have to put it in in the box for the reunion!

I wonder if Dave wants to borrow The Empires back :)

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  • 3 weeks later...
Guest mrs norman maine

I echo all the sentiments expressed, always looked forward to his sets...

.....and he's such a top boy that I never even lamped him when he once playfully wolf-whistled in my direction. It could've been aimed at the girl standing behind me, but what the heck, I was going through my radical-feminist wilderness* years in the 1980s, so he had a lucky escape.

Come to think of it, the lenses in his glasses are rather thick :yes::rolleyes:

* which, some say, continue to this day.....

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