Top Dancers Early Casino Days & Other Venues

[wiganelli]

We were all entertained by the music but also the fantastic dancers who gave us so much pleasure to watch!

Those I remember by name were: Fank Booper, Matchy, Jethro & Squeek (Wolverhampton) to name just a few!

IRISH you mentioned Frank Booper heres me and the man himself !! at PRESTATYN MARCH 2010 what a dancer to have watched him in his peak at WIGAN was a dream thanks FRANK for them memories

[Guest Phoenix8049]

Nice post. And so right.

I like dancing myself and thoroughly enjoy every minute that I do. But as much a part of any night for me is watching others also. No matter how someone dances, most have something in their routine that catches the eye. Something different from everyone else.

So true what you have said Blunny. I am the same.

I have seen many good dancers over the years male and female.

Too many to mention,but the person that always springs to mind is Tracy Holroyd from Nottingham.

To watch her is just mind blowing.

Her footwork is incredible and she makes it look so easy when its not.

She is very modest about it too.

Like others have said it's great to dance well,but the important thing is as long as you have a good time

it does not really matter how you dance.

Stu.

[burt weedon]

boo,,,,

Edited August 22, 2010 by burt weed on

[burt weedon]

boo again,,,,,,,,,,

Edited August 22, 2010 by burt weed on

[SHEFFSOUL]

...Maple room..Skegness summer '72..Mick Stevens from Grantham ( who died tragically in a car smash en route to the Torch)..also ' Julie' from Nottingham..then later ..'74 for me ...Gethro.. although i had heard of Frank Booper, oh Andy Simpson also..

[DennieFitz]

Willie Mercer and Stewart Spence from Scotland. Girl dancer and spinner I would say Fran from Stockport.

[Keithw]

heres a few people might remember

sorry if already on thread

sparky (Black Guy from Warrington i think)

jethro

craig (worcester)

pete scott (Stockport)

Ian cadman (crewe)

frank booper

Derek Mariott (Crewe) R.I.P

launa elliott (crewe)

ceasar

[Irish Spinner]

IRISH you mentioned Frank Booper heres me and the man himself !! at PRESTATYN MARCH 2010 what a dancer to have watched him in his peak at WIGAN was a dream thanks FRANK for them memories

Well wot a turn up for the Books i havent read my own thread for ages shit its had a few viewings lol. It must have been grt meeting Frank wish i had been there.I clearly remember Frank turning up quite late most nits to the Casino Frank worked the door in Manchester so he arrived in his DJ and bow tie but not for long as he give the best fu..cking Strip show ever first he would start with the Jacket on then off it came followed by the bow tie and then the shirt down to the vest .Sweet spraying every where.Me as a spinner myself i watched his every move Frank jumped into a spin on to his cubin high heal and shit could he spin one hand on eather hip and changing to one hand in front and one at his back ,Stoping dead if any one got in his way only to pick them up and move them only for ther own saftey lol Give the man space for fuc..ks sake lol he moved to the music and looked well toned.plus extras LOL.the lad he always used to spin next to was Paul from bradford CORRECT ME IF IM WRONG a gud looking kid always give Frank a run for his money he was friends with my mate SQUEEK from Wolverhampton we where all spinners but Frank always mannage to take the lime lite all respect to one of the greatest on hit the dance floor .

Yours in Soul

Irish

[Gigs]

I THINK EVERYBODY WHO WENT TO WIGAN WERE GOOD DANCERS AND THE AMPHET FUELLED ONE"S YEAH

You were'nt to shabby either Graham,as I remember but as Spike said there were a lot of good un's from round Chesterfield area

[Gilly]

Debbie, the coloured guy with specs is mentioned in the comments below the video. the late Pete Ricketts from Dudley.... yes he's a cool mover, very much reminds me of 'Coco' and Pete Brown from Grantham. both moved much the same way as that guy.

IAN x

I'M NOT SAYING YOUR WRONG BUT HE REMINDS ME OF LOXLEY NAULTY FROM BURTON on TRENT

[Guest Polyvelts]

Does anyone remember a lad called Ricky Lee Peace from Brum ? Great Dancer !

[Arthur Fenn]

We were all entertained by the music but also the fantastic dancers who gave us so much pleasure to watch!

Those I remember by name were: Fank Booper, Matchy, Jethro & Squeek (Wolverhampton) to name just a few!

Eric Smith for me, he brought out the best in the music i love, no silly backdrops req here, he was the Fred Astaire of northern soul 8-)

[Anoraks Corner]

craig (worcester)

Is that the guy who sported a beard and used to do amazingly graceful spins upstairs at Stafford...with cigarette in mouth as he spun!?

[Eddie Hubbard]

Does anyone remember a lad called Ricky Lee Peace from Brum ? Great Dancer !

I knew him , used to swap tapes with him during Stafford period and later ...great guy .Best,Eddie

[Greety]

I've just seen Kev Joss's name mentioned in an earlier post. And Jinxy for that matter. I last saw them at Guy Hennigan's 50th. Would someone be good enough to say hello from dave Greet in Reading. And if either of them use this bloody brilliant site ask them to pm me or something. Spent many a happy hour in the record bar at Wigan in their company.

Many Thanks.

[wiganelli]

Well wot a turn up for the Books i havent read my own thread for ages shit its had a few viewings lol. It must have been grt meeting Frank wish i had been there.I clearly remember Frank turning up quite late most nits to the Casino Frank worked the door in Manchester so he arrived in his DJ and bow tie but not for long as he give the best fu..cking Strip show ever first he would start with the Jacket on then off it came followed by the bow tie and then the shirt down to the vest .Sweet spraying every where.Me as a spinner myself i watched his every move Frank jumped into a spin on to his cubin high heal and shit could he spin one hand on eather hip and changing to one hand in front and one at his back ,Stoping dead if any one got in his way only to pick them up and move them only for ther own saftey lol Give the man space for fuc..ks sake lol he moved to the music and looked well toned.plus extras LOL.the lad he always used to spin next to was Paul from bradford CORRECT ME IF IM WRONG a gud looking kid always give Frank a run for his money he was friends with my mate SQUEEK from Wolverhampton we where all spinners but Frank always mannage to take the lime lite all respect to one of the greatest on hit the dance floor .

Yours in Soul

Irish

the good looking lad was called skippy lovett,remember him and booper taking over the dance floor at wigan he didnt have the footwork like booper but bye the f...k could he spin i asked frank recently about him,Frank said he was a 1 hit wonder and had never heard or seen anything of him since Wigan,MEMORIES IRISH !!! If only we could have videod it all

[The Animal]

Eric Smith for me, he brought out the best in the music i love, no silly backdrops req here, he was the Fred Astaire of northern soul 8-)

Eric Smith without a doubt.

Even saw him dancing in the entrance to the old Finefare store in Selby to a tape. He looked as good as Fred Astaire or Gene Kelly.

He appeared to float above the dance floor with style, grace and timing.

[Gilly]

Eric Smith without a doubt.

Even saw him dancing in the entrance to the old Finefare store in Selby to a tape. He looked as good as Fred Astaire or Gene Kelly.

He appeared to float above the dance floor with style, grace and timing.

Great guy is Eric,havn't seen him in years,bit of a fashion trend setter too,as far as i know he was the first to wear his shirt on the outside of his trousers it of course became a way of dressing for the 80ts football hooligans.

[Guest nickybackflip]

one of the best groovers to grace the dance floors, in my opinion was des porter from newark notts. just a natural dancer. whilst on the subject, anybody know gus tucker and his where abouts.

[Tezza]

Was never a dancer myself,but used to watch in awe, MATCHY was a fantastic dancer believe he`s still around, and used to love watching PAUL MURPHY-BRADFORD but watching them all from the balcony at wigan was a treat indeed

Matchy was awesome. He live the record as he danced. You can keep all the acrobatics etc, Could sit all night and watch Matchy and Mick from Samanthas !! the way he shuffled around the floor - still doing it now.

[Tezza]

Vernon was pretty famous for his spins at wigan!. I think we were allgood in our own little way, everybody had certain moves that others couldnt do or tried to copy! some could stomp while others couldnt but it didnt stop them dancing!! we all had different ways of interpreting the music and thats what so good about Northern Soul and wigan, noone gave a dam!! all they wanted to do is just DANCE DANCE DANCE!!

Damn right - Dancing was a personnal thing. When you were on the floor you were alone in your own little world, had no thought for the way others did their thing. There's no such thing as a bad Dancer !! Get up and let the music take you to your own personnal heaven

[Daveyboy66]

Matchy was awesome. He live the record as he danced. You can keep all the acrobatics etc, Could sit all night and watch Matchy and Mick from Samanthas !! the way he shuffled around the floor - still doing it now.

" cough " wayne johnson :-)

[wiganelli]

BOOPER !!!

[Winsford Soul]

Chris Early. Warrington. 

Al Kinsella.  Widnes.  

Craig  Westwood.  Shrewsbury. 

Gethro.  Wolverhampton.  

Karen Mellor.  Widnes.  

Steve 

Edited January 28, 2018 by Winsford Soul

[Steve Foran]

On ‎26‎/‎07‎/‎2010 at 21:49, keithw said:

heres a few people might remember

 

sorry if already on thread

 

sparky (Black Guy from Warrington i think)

 

jethro

 

craig (worcester)

 

pete scott (Stockport)

 

Ian cadman (crewe)

 

frank booper

 

Derek Mariott (Crewe) R.I.P

 

launa elliott (crewe)

 

ceasar

 

 

 

 

[Steve Foran]

I was at Pete Scotts place the other day. I was fairly good but I think Gethro was about the most graceful. Pete Wickham from Hemel Hempstead was VERY good.

Steve (Danny) Daniels from Peterboro could spin nice lad who I believe died a couple of years ago.

Steve Foran 

[Zed1]

58 minutes ago, Winsford Soul said:

Chris Early. Warrington. 

Al Kinsella.  Widnes.  

Craig  Westwood.  Shrewsbury. 

Gethro.  Wolverhampton.  

Steve 

I'm Gutted Ste....

All that money I spent at those dance workshops on lessons and you haven't included me on your list.

 

[Winsford Soul]

1 hour ago, Zed1 said:

I'm Gutted Ste....

All that money I spent at those dance workshops on lessons and you haven't included me on your list.

 

That white suit dazzled me mate . Couldn't see you. 

Ste 

[Guest]

On 15/02/2009 at 00:04, familytree said:

You didnt mention... ME!.. then there was ME, oh and ME... other than that I cant recall. but who ever is rated they probably copied ME!

That's a coincidence, because I always thought (in fact I knew), that the really good dancers TRIED to copy me. I also noticed that around 4 or 5am nobody wanted, or tried to copy my moves. Can't think why.

[Guest]

On 11/07/2012 at 12:31, Tezza said:

 

Damn right - Dancing was a personnal thing. When you were on the floor you were alone in your own little world, had no thought for the way others did their thing. There's no such thing as a bad Dancer !! Get up and let the music take you to your own personnal heaven

Irish (Gerald Stewart) from Cambridge had his own special way of dancing, but when he got in the groove his spins were AMAZING.

[Jim G]

On 17/09/2009 at 19:22, Gilly said:

Hi anyone remember Janey Nichols from Halton nr Lancaster i'm sure she won an early Wigan dance comp, she was as pretty as a picture.I think Dave Evison went out with her for a while,as he did most blonds in those days,still a great guy and looks so happy these days nice one Dave regards Gilly

I remember Janey Nichols we were pals and she even sent me a bottle of brut as a birthday pressie. She is on the cover of Footsee. She won the competition on rhe 2nd anniversary and the prize was £50. Is she still around?

[Gilly]

1 hour ago, jim g said:

I remember Janey Nichols we were pals and she even sent me a bottle of brut as a birthday pressie. She is on the cover of Footsee. She won the competition on rhe 2nd anniversary and the prize was £50. Is she still around?

Wow, I posted that in 2009, thanks for replying, I first met her when she was about 14/15 yrs old, her grandmother lived in my old village of Willington, Derby's and how bizarre is this about an hour ago I was going through some old photos for my forth coming book and sure enough the last photo in the biscuit tin is Janey. I've not seen her since the times you speak of. Did hear she married a non Soul fan and that was that. Where are you from btw 

[Jim G]

7 hours ago, Gilly said:

Wow, I posted that in 2009, thanks for replying, I first met her when she was about 14/15 yrs old, her grandmother lived in my old village of Willington, Derby's and how bizarre is this about an hour ago I was going through some old photos for my forth coming book and sure enough the last photo in the biscuit tin is Janey. I've not seen her since the times you speak of. Did hear she married a non Soul fan and that was that. Where are you from btw 

I am from Newton Aycliffe. Everyone knows me as Rory 

Edited July 21, 2018 by jim g

[Gilly]

Must of met you sometime, I know people like Gaz Simons, Kev Cane, Kev Joss, John and Sandra and Lynn, Al Coney, Baz Atkinson, Colin Denham, Pete Foster and others too

[Jim G]

7 minutes ago, Gilly said:

Must of met you sometime, I know people like Gaz Simons, Kev Cane, Kev Joss, John and Sandra and Lynn, Al Coney, Baz Atkinson, Colin Denham, Pete Foster and others too

Yep, guess we must have. Kev Joss still lives in Newton Aycliffe. I moved away in the 70t's ad came back 6 years ago. Geoff Miller, Titch Farlowe, John Potts (Pottsy) John Howard (Howard) Dave Brown (Rocko), Andy Greeener and many others we are all still in touch and most live near here.

I used to dance in the same spot as Gethro. I never took any drugs and danced nearly all night. I was well know for doing the Russian Cossack (no hands on the floor) no-one else could it.

[Casino76]

On 28/01/2018 at 20:47, Steve Foran said:

I was at Pete Scotts place the other day. I was fairly good but I think Gethro was about the most graceful. Pete Wickham from Hemel Hempstead was VERY good.

Steve (Danny) Daniels from Peterboro could spin nice lad who I believe died a couple of years ago.

Steve Foran 

Scotty was and still is a great dancer top man, loads of great dancers from stockport, Male & Female, Greg lang, mike reed, paul boshir (rip) loads more sadly no longer with us, never forgotton.

[Guest Manusfta]

On ‎15‎/‎02‎/‎2009 at 01:59, Guest Alwayssoul said:

Vernon was pretty famous for his spins at wigan!. I think we were allgood in our own little way, everybody had certain moves that others couldnt do or tried to copy! some could stomp while others couldnt but it didnt stop them dancing!! we all had different ways of interpreting the music and thats what so good about Northern Soul and wigan, noone gave a dam!! all they wanted to do is just DANCE DANCE DANCE!!

Vernon may well have been famous but little Danny Daniels from Peterborough,bless him r.i.p was the best spinner in my book,he made it a real art everything in time and seemed to go on forever without the wobble that Vernon had,Danny stayed on the spot and upright as a plumb line ,he would go at changing speeds forward and backward,if you didn't see him spin you ain't seen spinning(Irish weren't half bad either).

I really wish video cameras were common around then as they would have shown the world true mastery of the art and would become classic bits of film,video for time on.Good on ya Danny up there spinning away powering a planet in another galaxies cycle of revolutions a job heaven made for you mate.

Edited August 1, 2018 by Manusfta

[Guest Manusfta]

On ‎09‎/‎10‎/‎2010 at 09:57, Irish Spinner said:

 

Well wot a turn up for the Books i havent read my own thread for ages shit its had a few viewings lol. It must have been grt meeting Frank wish i had been there.I clearly remember Frank turning up quite late most nits to the Casino Frank worked the door in Manchester so he arrived in his DJ and bow tie but not for long as he give the best fu..cking Strip show ever first he would start with the Jacket on then off it came followed by the bow tie and then the shirt down to the vest .Sweet spraying every where.Me as a spinner myself i watched his every move Frank jumped into a spin on to his cubin high heal and shit could he spin one hand on eather hip and changing to one hand in front and one at his back ,Stoping dead if any one got in his way only to pick them up and move them only for ther own saftey lol Give the man space for fuc..ks sake lol he moved to the music and looked well toned.plus extras LOL.the lad he always used to spin next to was Paul from bradford CORRECT ME IF IM WRONG a gud looking kid always give Frank a run for his money he was friends with my mate SQUEEK from Wolverhampton we where all spinners but Frank always mannage to take the lime lite all respect to one of the greatest on hit the dance floor .

 

Yours in Soul

 

Irish

You were certainly up there among the best of those attempting to drill down to the earths core mate ,Danny's mate Billy was a class act also.Not bad eh,three of the best revolutionaries on the scene at that time coming from the other side of that imaginary north south divide.

I have always thought the northern soul spin when done by the classy act at it including yer self mate,made the sort of spins we would and can see performed  in other genres look rather ,'feeble', to say the least.There was just something magical almost surreal when watching the main men of the spinning crew do their bit at nighters back then,almost as if what you were seeing couldn't really be ,I know some would say that is because you were off yer trolley Manus,True say I but it was real and sadly doesn't appear that it will be done like that again.

[Guest Manusfta]

Samantha's dance floor back in the seventies was really small but packed solid with loads of the scenes dancing giants,machie etc.As someone mentioned earlier,there footwork was king and there was some amazing examples of it taking place in a persons tiny square space (overcrowding maybe but it didn't hold folk back who needs to run around all over the place,leavinp   and a hollering, get outa ma way!).

Gino was a very stylish lad on his feet a  superb shuffler  another Samantha's star of the floor,his dad was an ambassador to England from one of the African states,a very nice bloke who lived the choons.John Vincent and Colin Curtis spinning the sounds.Oh and Irish found a space to spin on at his usual high speed rpm.A good nighterfor those who enjoy watching good no not good phoo ketting amazing dancers both lads and lasses.

 

Edited August 5, 2018 by Manusfta
Spelling mistakes

[Janie Nichols]

On 17/09/2009 at 19:47, billywhizz said:

 

 

Hello Gilly,i can't remember any girls winning a dancing comp at Wigan,it was a boys thing lol.

Billy

Hi. . Yes I did win the dance competition at Wigan it was one of the early ones. It was mainly a boys thing as you say... and in the final it was boys and me, and I won to Come On Train. I was given £100 for my prize but the winning was the real prize.

i always danced my socks off all night. Loved Wigan. Still dancing. Sometimes the girlies have it too... it’s like electric when you here the music. It takes you over. And I still feel the same way after all these years. It’s great to read all these posts as although I don’t get to many dance nights , I still listen to the music and still dance at home. It’s been nice to be remembered Xx girl power LOL

[Janie Nichols]

On 20/07/2018 at 23:25, jim g said:

I remember Janey Nichols we were pals and she even sent me a bottle of brut as a birthday pressie. She is on the cover of Footsee. She won the competition on rhe 2nd anniversary and the prize was £50. Is she still around?

 

13 minutes ago, Janie Nichols said:

Hi. . Yes I did win the dance competition at Wigan it was one of the early ones. It was mainly a boys thing as you say... and in the final it was boys and me, and I won to Come On Train. I was given £100 for my prize but the winning was the real prize.

i always danced my socks off all night. Loved Wigan. Still dancing. Sometimes the girlies have it too... it’s like electric when you here the music. It takes you over. And I still feel the same way after all these years. It’s great to read all these posts as although I don’t get to many dance nights , I still listen to the music and still dance at home. It’s been nice to be remembered Xx girl power LOL

So good to hear old friends. I wish we could all travel back in time and have another fantastic weekend . Very happy memories. Miss those times sometimes.

[Janie Nichols]

On 21/07/2018 at 08:38, jim g said:

I am from Newton Aycliffe. Everyone knows me as Rory 

That’s right . I just fell off the scene. Life is full of unexpected turns. I still, Wigan was a massive part of my life as it was for all of us. And it’s still in my blood . I remember you. What mem you have brought back for me! 

Id love to see the picture in your biscuit tin.! I’d love to read your forth coming book too!

ps Gilly, I did go out with Dave Evison,

 

 

 

as you rightly say but I never knew I was just in a long line of other blondes! The rat! Ha ha only joking . I’m glad Dave is happy.. he was a really great guy when I knew him.  I’m happy too xx  I do remember you too. And the other names are com8ng back to me. It was great in those days as we travelled everywhere on the train and made new friends all over the place. We were really soul brothers and sisters and it was a real cameraderi between us all. It was so special. Happy days indeed.

[Gilly]

Quote

 

Sent you a message Janie

[Derek Pearson]

On 15/02/2009 at 01:59, Guest Alwayssoul said:

Vernon was pretty famous for his spins at wigan!

 

On 01/08/2018 at 03:17, Manusfta said:

Vernon may well have been famous but little Danny Daniels from Peterborough was the best spinner in my book and seemed to go on forever without the wobble that Vernon had

Knew I had this old YouTube clip saved somewhere - I just didn't know where!?

I admit it's not the best film quality but it's the only one you're gonna get to see.

After hours and hours of watching YouTube clips over the years it's sadly the only clip I've ever seen of Vernon in action. True he does get a bit of a wobble on a few times but no matter how many times I've seen it - after all these years - I still find it breath taking to watch.

He's featured in the opening scene wearing his trademark cap sleeved teeshirt but it's around the 60 second mark the film really catches him in full flow.

Now you know why Vernon was so famous for his spins at Wigan.

Derek

RIP Kyle @ 45 seconds.

 

Edited April 4, 2019 by Derek Pearson

[Steve Foran]

I could never spin without getting dizzy FFS! There were many like Vernon, Gethro, Danny (RIP) and my old mate Pete Wickham from Hemel.