Funky 4 Corners

Shawn gave me your mum's address and I sent her a copy of the book so I hope she received it and it brought back a few memories. Your dad was very difficult to research and one regret I have is never finding out anything about Art Morton's Soulville Record store with which he was connected. Please post on here anything you find out about you dad. Keith

Hi Lorri, it's great that you are on here! I lost touch with Shawn some time back, say hello to him from me. I hope you approved of my sketchy article on your dad. Regards Keith.

As you will know Roburt has vast first hand experience of the Wheel and it's era and I fully agree with his views about acts not materialising. Also, from around '68 fake groups started to tour, a topic well covered elsewhere. As an unwashed teenager from a pit village near Wakefield, how would I know the difference? All I did know was that they were invariably awesome and thrilling to watch!

As you will know Roburt has vast first hand experience of the Wheel and it's era and I fully agree with his views about acts not materialising. Also, from around '68 fake groups started to tour, a topic well covered elsewhere. As an unwashed teenager from a pit village near Wakefield, how would I know the difference? All I did know was that they were invariably awesome and thrilling to watch!

1970 was the last full year of the club's existence, it saw lots of imports being played which were slowly being imported from various sources, John Anderson in Glasgow, Martin Koppel on his trips to Canada, in Manchester, Barry Ancill's Record Rendezvous and Ralph's Records. F L Moore in Leighton Buzzard and Jeff King would visit the club from Leicester with a box of goodies. There were of course many other places that imported records, especially in London. Regarding the Wheel, as with the previous summer there were many 11th hour changes; July 25th saw Major Lance cancelled, August 29th was an all-nighter, September 5th, Horatio Soul & Pavements, 12th Sweet Inspirations and Johnny Johnson and 26th Fantastics and October saw the Hightimers. I've just found a flyer from autumn '69 which I've included at the end. These small flyers were gradually replaced in the final year by large A4 size black & white photos, I'll upload some soon.

1970 was the last full year of the club's existence, it saw lots of imports being played which were slowly being imported from various sources, John Anderson in Glasgow, Martin Koppel on his trips to Canada, in Manchester, Barry Ancill's Record Rendezvous and Ralph's Records. F L Moore in Leighton Buzzard and Jeff King would visit the club from Leicester with a box of goodies. There were of course many other places that imported records, especially in London. Regarding the Wheel, as with the previous summer there were many 11th hour changes; July 25th saw Major Lance cancelled, August 29th was an all-nighter, September 5th, Horatio Soul & Pavements, 12th Sweet Inspirations and Johnny Johnson and 26th Fantastics and October saw the Hightimers. I've just found a flyer from autumn '69 which I've included at the end. These small flyers were gradually replaced in the final year by large A4 size black & white photos, I'll upload some soon.

The Summer of '69 continue but August saw more mayhem; the 2nd saw the Crystals booked, the 9th Root & Jenny Jackson, the 23rd Ronettes, 30th, the Bandwagon. September wasn't much better - 6th, Jimmy James, 13th Jimmy Ruffin, 20th, the Drifters and 27th Coasters.

The Summer of '69 continue but August saw more mayhem; the 2nd saw the Crystals booked, the 9th Root & Jenny Jackson, the 23rd Ronettes, 30th, the Bandwagon. September wasn't much better - 6th, Jimmy James, 13th Jimmy Ruffin, 20th, the Drifters and 27th Coasters.

The New Year of '69 was many last minute changes; February 1st saw Root & Jenny Jackson replace Edwin Starr, Johnny Johnson & Bandwagon replaced Carla Thomas on the 8th. The New Vibrations appeared on the 15th and the US Flat-Top Road Show on the 22nd. The G-Clefs performed on 22nd March and Ben E King on the 29th. Jamo Thomas was originally billed to appeared on May 24th but Bob & Earl stepped in at the last minute with Jamo re-booked for a month later.

The New Year of '69 was many last minute changes; February 1st saw Root & Jenny Jackson replace Edwin Starr, Johnny Johnson & Bandwagon replaced Carla Thomas on the 8th. The New Vibrations appeared on the 15th and the US Flat-Top Road Show on the 22nd. The G-Clefs performed on 22nd March and Ben E King on the 29th. Jamo Thomas was originally billed to appeared on May 24th but Bob & Earl stepped in at the last minute with Jamo re-booked for a month later.

The next batch run from September '68 into February ''69. The 5th October was just an all-nighter. Oscar Toney Jr appeared on 16th November, the 30th was an all-nighter. The Original Drifters replaced the Showstoppers on 14th December and the Ferris Wheel performed on 4th January '69.

The next batch run from September '68 into February ''69. The 5th October was just an all-nighter. Oscar Toney Jr appeared on 16th November, the 30th was an all-nighter. The Original Drifters replaced the Showstoppers on 14th December and the Ferris Wheel performed on 4th January '69.

Hopefully to complement this great thread, here's some Wheel fliers from the Whitworth Street era. Some advertise acts that never materialised or were replaced after the flyer had gone to print. Friday's Manchester Evening News would give the most accurate info as the fliers were mainly put out well in advance. This batch go from the opening session to summer 1968. On Saturday 14th August the M E N advertised Clyde McPhatter to appear who may well have replaced Jr Walker. Can anyone confirm this?

Hopefully to complement this great thread, here's some Wheel fliers from the Whitworth Street era. Some advertise acts that never materialised or were replaced after the flyer had gone to print. Friday's Manchester Evening News would give the most accurate info as the fliers were mainly put out well in advance. This batch go from the opening session to summer 1968. On Saturday 14th August the M E N advertised Clyde McPhatter to appear who may well have replaced Jr Walker. Can anyone confirm this?

Great images Andy, a good addition to the story! One thing I've often thought about is the origin of the La Beat name - very akin to L BEATty, I wonder if Lou's second name began with A?