Mr Fred

It is with sad heart that I have to post the Passing of John Ellis from Wakefield. I'm sure many of you on ss especially locals knew John, will post the funeral arrangements as soon as I get them. Fred Ward

Ian, wishing you a fast and full recovery, Jacque & Fred Ward from Wakefield.

Why not try Scooters bar in Los Cristianos, it's located opposite The Hotel Aguamar. Run by Nigel and Helen. The bar is a themed scooter mod bar,however the music played is Northern Soul and Motown, I'm not sure if Nigel has some live acts on. If you manage to visit them would you please give Nigel my regards. Just remind him that my wife Jacque and I visited his "Scooters" bar in Fuerteventura where he and myself both had Northern Soul and Karate in common. Hope you have a good holiday All the best Fred Ward.

Definitely is Kath, R.I.P. Regards Fred

So So sad to hear this news,a true gentleman who always made time to say hello. Always on the dance floor , Clive will be sadly missed but always in our hearts. Deepest condolences to Clives family. Jacque&Fred Ward

First I read on here that Bobby had passed ,then I read it was a hoax. Only to find out after searching the media in the U.S.A. that he had actually passed away. Then it was confirmed on the BBC news that it was true . Very Very sad news. Bobby Womack was an extremely talented singer,songwriter and musician, whilst releasing a shed load of records was responsible for many others which he wrote, one being :- It's all over now, the Rolling Stones a uk No 1. A huge talent that will be sadly missed. R.I.P. Bobby

For me it just has to be the Isley Bros,Tell me it's just a rumour. The vocals,the backing,the tempo, an absolutely brilliant dancer, even though I struggle these days. Regards Fred.

When I was in my mid teens I used to frequent clubs in Huddersfield that played Motown and soul which as we know went on to be termed Northern Soul. Clubs such as The Atack, The Starlight, The Hifi, and of course the one most noted club for Northern soul in Huddersfield Lord Jim's aka The Bin. The Hifi was a place up trinity street on one of the main roads leading out of Huddersfield towards Halifax. I remember you went in through the front door, paid your money to Lena the owner at the counter on your right , then you could go straight on into the bar,which had lots of tables and chairs where you could sit have a drink and listen to records that were on the Juke box that was full of soul music . Every so often they had a live dj on who would play a mixture of Motown and Northern soul. The other choice as you went in was to go upstairs to the 1st floor at the top of the stairs you would turn right into a large room fully covered with a sprung dance floor. To the left was the decks etc for the dj and in front of you at the back was a stage running the full width of the dance floor. All the older guys and girls would to come to the Hifi and from there would go on to the Twisted Wheel in Manchester,these were a sort of in crowd who were immaculately dressed and extremely knowledgeable in soul music, who we would look up to and aspire to. On one particular occasion i well remember going in to the bar with a well known character from Huddersfield a frequent wheel goer called Cobber(Ian Hicks) anyway there was a dj on that night and he played this record I'd never heard before which totally blew me away, the sound, the voice of the singer,totally soulfull absolutely brilliant. The record was Jerry Cooke I hurt on the other side. Needless to say this was on my wants list but not for long and I acquired a copy not long after. Regards Fred Ward.

The drumming and horns sound very similar to the ones on Alexander pattons "A lil lovin sometimes", that's how i came to the conclusion it wasn't original. Regards Fred ward.

The year 1969, the place Woods music shop, new streeet Huddersfield.I had just turned 17 and was browsing through the soul records they had when out of one of the listening booths i heard this record playing, immeadiately i was totally focused on the sound of that record and stopped what i was doing and not aware of the other people in the shop,this carried on until the record stopped playing. The guy came out of the booth where upon i approached him and asked him what was that fantastic record he'd just been playing. The record he'd been playing was The classic "What kind of lady" by Dee Dee Sharp. I didn't know the guy and at the time never knew that through this chance meeting would be the beginning of a long friendship. Truly amazing 45 years ago and still remember it as if it was yesterday. Regards Fred Ward

Here's wishing you all a merry Christmas and a Soulfull new year From Fred&Jacque Ward

Here are a few clubs and sounds that for me go together. The Hifi Huddersfield:- Clifford Curry,I can't get a hold of myself.Jerry Cook, I Hurt on the other side. Lord Jims Huddersfield:- Earl Harrison,Humphrey Stomp. Dean Parrish,Determination.Alexander Patton/Patten,A lil lovin' Sometimes Leeds Central:-Rufus Lumley,I'm Standing. California Montage,Young Holt Unlimited.Benny Troy,I wanna give you tommorrow. Bay Horse Todmorden:- Will Collins&Will Power, Is there anything i can do. Bank Hall Miners Club:-The Ellusions, You didn't have to leave. Wigan Casino:- Larry Laster, Go for yourself. The Torch:- Maxine Brown,One in a million. Patti&The Emblems,I'm Gonna love you a long long time.James Barnett,Keep on talking. PP Arnold Everythings gonna be alright.Danny Monday, Baby without you. Blackpool Mecca;- Sliced tomatoes. Pendulum:- Bok to bach,Fathers Angels . There are many more, and when i'm Dj ing i think back to all those clubs and the records come flooding back! Regards Fred Ward

What about:- Hey sah lo ney,Micky Lee Lane & Tracks to your mind, Sounds of Lane and Sea Cruise,Frankie Ford,and Ace cannon.

Didn't know spyke had passed away. Wasn't he from way up north? really sad news he was a great guy and also close to a couple of friends of mine Ian and Laney. Also noticed in the footage looks like was it Gary or Terry Taylor doing all the spinning and Pat Allen sneaked in there also. I remember working with a younger guy at work from Burnley and one day I happened to mention that I used to go to Bank Hall Miners Club and he replied wow my Dad used to go there lol All the very best to anyone who used to go Fred Ward

What a Shock, Two Soul Legends passing first Mary and now Bobby,i can flash back to the first time i heard a record by Bobby Bland, namely Shoes,and then YumYum Tree. A True soul Legend. R.I.P. Bobby

You Turned my bitter into sweet, One of my favourite soul sounds Very sad to hear of her passing.

The All dayer last year was in Amsterdam,but to confirm this contact Amsterdam Soul Club who i'm sure will be able to confirm this for you. Just Google Amsterdam Soul Club. Regards Fred ward

Without getting drawn into lengthy discussions, this guy has never dj'd before so the promoter is taking a risk, however in my opinion i still feel it's important for the new dj to plan for his spot.you don't want to look an idiot if the promoter gets it wrong so thats why i feel to be forewarned is to be forearmed. Regards Fred

I would say, do your research of the club, it's history and the people who attend, their music tastes in order that you can formulate an accurate range of records to play,hopefully you will please a good percentage of your audience throughout your spot if not all Regards Fred ward

One of Bubs Favs was It Keeps Raining by Fats Domino

Last post repeated itself due to connection problems from the Canary Islands

Jackie Ross and Syl Johnson in 2006 backed by Snake Davis&The Suspicions at the Frobisher Suite Wakefield Absolutely blew us all away with their performances.So So talented.All credit to Dave&Val Box for Staging this memorable event.