Len

Not sure if this is the same guy, but later there was always a guy at the nighters I went to, he had a bald head, wore a head band, took a huge tape recorder and smoked a pipe - I thought he was cool btw. All the best, Len

Hi mate, I’m not miserable — honest! I (like the rest of us) care that’s all…..Here’s a couple of scenarios that may help some of these ‘young ones’ understand my take on ‘it’…..and hope some of you can relate, ref what ‘Citizen P’ touched upon earlier….. ….It was the mid 80’s and I was a 14 year old Mod, pretty ‘plastic’ and right at the beginning of my ‘apprenticeship’ - Me and my mates attended a Soul Night at The Dog and Duck in Wellingborough, and basically my mates got out of hand. They were being ‘young and stupid’, generally messing around, including on the dance floor - I wasn’t (I never have ‘fitted in’) but I was well aware that their behaviour just wasn’t right, and I was also well aware of my ‘elders’, that were all around us….. It got to a ‘point’, and this older guy came over and really bellowed at the lot of us (I’m guessing we were too young for him to kick the out sh*t of) I was devastated by this, yet my mates (although quietened down a little) didn’t really seem fazed by it…..We all went to sit down, my mates still being loud and stupid, but I was really uncomfortable…..a short while past, then out of the corner of my eye I noticed this Guy coming over (Panic)……He gently put his hand on my shoulder and simply said….“Hey mate, relax I know it wasn’t you, it was ya stupid mates, you’re alright”, gave me a smile and walked off….It was something I didn’t expect, and had never experienced, and it felt good (although confusing at the time) ‘Part 2’ …….Fast forward a short few years, and I was D.Jing at The North Park in Kettering, it must have been one of the first spots I had done at a proper Soul Night, I was mainly D.Jing on the local Mod Scene at that time. It was a rough old place, as were most Working Men’s Clubs back then, and I can still remember the bar strip lights, that showed a ‘silhouette’ of people’s shapes as I walked in, clouded by the thick tobacco smoke….this was different…this was intimidating…….. My time came so off I went to D.J, and during my set I played ‘Curtis - How Can I Tell Her’….. not really the best choice for a Club like that at that time, and it kinda caused a ‘wave’ of grumbles (Ok, there was no ‘kinda’, it did - big time!) and lots left the dance floor…. inside I felt close to tears, but carried on (as ya do)……I still didn’t ‘really’ understand the Soul Scene……In the middle of my next record, this guy lent over the decks (not forgetting I was still ‘coming to terms’ with the ‘Curtis’ fall out) and shouted me over….”Here mate” (all seeming very aggressive to me)……”Was that Curtis you just f*ckin played?”……. (Oh gawd, I thought)…….”Yes” (I shouted as gruffly as I could)….I was dreading what he was going to say next…..he then reached across the decks, and shouted…. .“f*cking nice one!”….just as a really friendly smile appeared, that seemed to come from ‘deep inside’, shook my hand, and off he went…. .....In hindsight, he saw what had happened - he was someone that travelled, and wanted to acknowledge the said record - almost sticking his fingers up to those who didn’t appreciate it (The ‘60’s people against Modern’ thing was still raging at that time, so you can imagine how the ‘Boo Boo, Boo Boo’’s at the beginning of 'Curtis' went down, and they go on for a while!) ….. Anyway - Same thing - ‘it felt good (although confusing at the time)’ ……I ‘now’ know why he seemed aggressive / intense / with eyes that were ‘’locked’ on to me as he was talking - it was passion (amongst other things)…..I honestly think that was the first ‘Northern Soul Hand Shake’ that I had received - It all makes sense now! All the best, Len

Always have done mate - always will Len

For me, it will completely depend on their attitude (As 'Citizen P' pointed out).......Old or young, it don't matter which, the same applies. I hope they respect what the Scene is really about.... ......and I hope they enjoy the 'added bonus' of that music we listen to as well All the best, Len

The ‘young ones’ should rip up the rule book up, and try their best not to ‘carbon copy’ those before them. I’m hoping they are being influenced, but are doing it their way. I was a Mod in the 80’s (a very cool one btw) .....and I would expect the 60’s, or 70’s Mods would have frowned upon me……and that’s the way it should be. Ref the retro clothing, I don’t particularly like it on older folk, but it’s their choice and they are obviously having a ball ‘doing what they do’ - I wouldn’t want them ridiculed. Similar to the old 50 year old Teddy Girls that still wore pop socks - again, their choice and their past time. Elaine was good, and it was a great ad for the film - I hope it adds to the success of her project that she has worked so hard for. The presenter was also good - It was his own honest view, and I liked the fact that he hadn’t been to a Nighter in 35 years, but you could see that he still 'felt' the music - That showed how special it is. I gave the programme a 3 All the best, Len

I just caught the 'back end' of guys wearing head bands, wrist bands, and the Kung Fu slippers things (in some cases) so, although not the 'roots' of the dancing, she was correct about that fashion (Bruce Lee) being of some influence. All the best, Len (Yellow Belt)

He he, I ain't lost my grin mate, far from it - here's one especially for you You are correct of course - Your Anniversary's were a great celebration, and different from the 'last event', and of course there are others. Actually that's something that happens a lot now, some people are so sensitive and think everything is aimed at them - It's not, people are just giving 'general' opinions, and there is always 'an exception to the rule' "old school Soulies were all scratching their heads wondering what I was about Len....remember??" .....Absolutely, and I still am mate - You should be proud of that All the best, Len Still grinning, but it's good for us all to be reminded to do so - Thanks Sooty

Good for you mate - There are more important things in life .......SH*T! - Like getting thekkids to bed! (Don't anyone tell Nina I was on here again)....seriously, don't...... Len - Gone!

That's the thing - Anniversary's are great!.....but somewhere down the line loads of events became 'as anniversary's'. In actual fact, they have put me off from going to anniversary's - 'what's to celebrate? (If so similar to the last event) All the best, Len P.s - 100 Club excluded.

What?!!! Now that's just ridiculous and not what it's about ..........It can't be that simple......surely...........after all these years of 'thought'........... Len

Nice one Steve - Lovely name that (lot's of thought there) Steve Philis - Same question mate..... ....Thereafter, any Steve - I'd be interested in your answer....except for Steve Davis, Steve Irwin, Steve Gerrard, or Steve Steve (If there is one) Hey, joking lads - I'm just bitter that I had to go through School 'carrying' my Grandad's name (and my Uncle's) ((True, and true)) Seriously though ref your answer - I think it's a crying shame something changed....Can you imagine what it would be like now if the last ten years hadn't been void? All the best, Len

Love the thread, but kn*ckered from the last one .....I'll have a good 're-read' in a couple of days. ......One thought though - Steve, how come you did all the Wigan stuff, yet your attitude hasn't changed, and that's what it's all about (to me at least) - So where (dare I say it?) Did it all go wrong, attitude wise? Maybe I'm concentrating on those that 'popped' in to Wigan - There I think I've answered my own question. ......I can see it in ya eyes mate All the best, Len

Well Winnie, me ol’ mate, you have surpassed yourself with this thread, and no matter what views were, they were all put forward in a very good manner, and that’s what healthy debate is all about. I’m gonna just put my closing thoughts down…...but I do suspect this thread may ‘rave up’ again, so goodbye for now, it’s been enjoyable. Thanks Win. (There is a point to this)…..I have always, tried my best to conduct myself the best way I possibly could, respecting everything that has gone before me, right back to ‘Northern Soul B.C’ (Before Croasdell) ((Sorry Ady - you just happened to ‘fit' there)) and beyond - right back to when a young Billy Wizz first ventured on to a dance floor (hello again Billy) Most of all I have respected my peers, and if over the 30 odd years that I have been ‘doing it’, I have managed to earn a fraction of that respect in return, then I am more than happy……. ……This kind of thinking doesn’t even enter some people’s heads, and it p*sses me off! A Scene that I once loved, stomped all over with not a thought for those that have neutered it over so many years. Penny, I hope I’m not being too undignified in saying this - I shall now return to dignity, and support people and places that I respect, simply ignoring everything else, as sadly, it can’t be changed......Again, it's the world we now live in. All the best, Len

'The Soul Spin Doctors'.....Now there's a Cover Up name I could use on my next 'unsuspecting' 'B' side - Thanks Len P.s - It's even better than 'The Hidden Agendas'

Blimey Win - this is exhausting! There's no 'accolade' being a promoter (maybe there is to some) I use the word as a descriptive - It describes someone who puts on an event....As for 'D.J', again descriptive, I see some as 'Good' D.J's, and some as 'Bad' D.J's.....That's my thinking anyway. Len

....Just......the more choice there is, the quality goes down, unfortunately for lots of people that will do. Result being (is) some top quality nights are at risk, due to numbers being spread too thinly, and these nights are the back bone (imho) All the best, Len

Exactly Chalky (Promoter / D.J) All the best, Len (Promoter / D.J) ......Come on, see the humour! Laters mate

Common sense......(Except the R 'n' B bit) Nicely put Len

Oh my god! Not The Picture House?!!!! All the best, Len

My Tips - Do similar to what I did at the recent (ish) St Ives 'Evolution' event, which was in the same huge Ivo Centre at St Ives......Before I had even played a record, I looked around, and said down the mike...."Wow, now this is a big dance floor to clear!" Basically 'grab' the moment, and from that, it can only get easier! As Tony Warrot eloquently reminded us a while back on here - Most of all, enjoy it! All the best, Len P.s - If you do get a few successful spots under your belt, never 'develop a 'Swagger'.....

I have to admit, that what we are discussing does have a down side - It could put off any genuine new D.J from even trying, the 'unassuming' will back off quick, then we all miss out. You are right, everyone has to start somewhere, so let's try and recognise the ones that deserve a chance. As the lovely Derek Alan was mentioned earlier - he followed me at my first ever nighter spot in Leicester, and what a guy to have on stage with me - He was really kind, and encouraging, he must have seen that it was a hell of a big deal to me. Also Steve Smith (I think you are the same Steve Smith) along with Glen Bellamy gave me some nice words of encouragement when I D.Jed at St Ives years ago, that huge hall was very intimidating, and that little bit of encouragement went a long way. All the best, Len

Actually, yes I do know what you mean - Don't get me wrong, when I get criticism it does hurt sometimes, but that's because I care. The difference is, that their ego's get hurt, and that is more painful - I've seen it. All the best, Len

Mmmm, all that ‘malarkey’ isn’t ‘Northern Soul’ though is it? (imho)…..This record is a piece of history, and should have been kept in a protective case and hardly ever played out (again ‘imho’) Maybe on a very special occasion (and getting paid a grand for the privilege of actually hearing this special piece)…..As for getting the label signed, well that beggars belief (still ‘imho’) I think a great gesture would be to put the record on display, maybe at the Motown Museum c/w a ‘On loan from’ plaque next to it as a thank you……In fact, that’s what I shall do…… …….just as soon as it’s back from the restorers - They say they can at least change the ‘K’ to an ‘L’, so now it’s got ‘Lenny’ sprawled across it N.B - Let’s just take it as gospel that some of you will disagree with what I have written, any discussion isn’t going to change my view, so let’s leave it at that (I don’t wanna change Winston’s thread too much) All the best, Len P.s - I’ve nothing against Kenny Burrell - Nice Guy. P.p.s - I’ve nothing against the record - Nice tune.

Hi Steve, I’ve thought of a better answer…….“Thoughts were racing round my head like a pair of trainers in a washing machine” yesterday …….Hard work or not, back then no one D.Jed to ‘be someone’, they all did it to share their sounds - they simply loved the music. To be a D.J all those years ago was very ‘Tony Blackburn’ indeed, and so not cool (Meant in the nicest possible way that) I know some were / are hero worshipped so to speak, but they didn’t set out to be so. That’s my understanding anyway. All the best, Len

If you truly believe in what you are doing, you should be able to take all kinds of criticism. I have seen many times, people who have had just the one 'insult', and boy could they not take it - That really shows em up for what they are. All the best, Len