David Meikle

Apologies this should have been a quote in relation to above.

{See the message this is responding to in next post) I remember Dean, Charlie. Going through a tough time financially I took a suitcase of mint UK Motown albums to sell after a meeting in Manchester in the mid eighties. I thought John might be interested and I made my way to Expansion on Corporation Street. I used to frequent Ralph’s records in the early seventies and I’m sure Expansion was in the same premises. Dean was on the desk and was really excited with what I handed over the counter. He picked up the telephone and called John for a price. John had no idea it was on behalf of me and Dean said “I’ve got someone here from Glasgow with a mint collection of Motown LP’s.” The response was quick and low. Even Dean was surprised and I wonder if he recalls this? (Edit- Apologies, I had no idea that Dean had passed-RIP) So I left the shop with my optimism in tatters. John sold thousands of records at fair prices but jeez he knew a bit about procurement too. It wasn’t long before I got my price when I sold most of the albums to Pete Lawson at his home in Ormskirk. Sadly Pete was murdered sometime later. Two legends of the scene but for today we remember John. RIP.

Sorry, I don’t know who took this photo but it speaks volumes. edit: October 21st. The owner appears to be Neckender as per Soul Bowl thread.

I first met John in my home town of Glasgow in 1969. We used to meet up in Paterson’s store in Buchanan Street most lunchtimes listening to UK 45’s in those iconic record booths. John’s wife Marissa was always with him. I met Charlie Rees in Benidorm in May and he told me her passing had hurt him badly. I have just realised it’s 50 years since we first met. Where has the time gone? I recall visiting his home in Glasgow and squeezing past the record boxes on the verandah. They were mainly albums. John’s taste in Soul Music at that time was definitely of the balladry variety. I lost touch with him when he moved to England and often wondered if that ever swung in the direction of so called Northern Soul. I told him about the Twisted Wheel and the wonderful 45’s played there. When it came to Round Robin however he gave a typical Glasgow response. Listening to that recently I see where he was coming from LOL. I’ve still got some of his old Glasgow address record lists at home. A time of innocence which has long been lost in those ensuing 50 years. Finally, I’m so proud that someone who was brought up in the infamous district of Pollok in Glasgow played such a huge part in our amazing scene. John Anderson...thanks a million!

Graham Finch, who wrote the article, sent me this message today from Taiwan. “Theresa was wonderful - one of the stars I'd often pop and chat to. It's very sad she's gone” Graham lived in Windsor for awhile during the 1990’s. This hauntingly beautiful song reminds me of Graham driving me through the streets of Detroit in 2001.

Theresa Lindsey RIP View full article

Getting back to the San Remo disc, John Rhys told me that Ed and JoAnne named the musicians as such after a visit to the San Remo Music Festival in Northern Italy...hence the Italian named flip... “Quinto Sei Bella” ie ”How Beautiful You Are”. Arranged by Mike Terry and Bert Keyes.

This was gifted to me in Detroit. I am adding it to the thread as there isn’t one on show. Sadly it’s battered and bruised but this song means a lot to me. One of the best ever played on the scene IMO.

An older Curtiss ...

Curtiss (sic) also recorded/wrote this 12 inch disc on Atlantic along with other brothers Hershel and Everett. Known as the Boone Brothers, Moses might have been part of the group too. Their father Curtis (sic) wrote for Marvin Gaye and David Ruffin briefly.

Also

This superb film was uploaded by Lil Soul Brother Curtiss Boone. Go to 1:10 https://youtu.be/JzMU_MdVgks

Wouldn’t it be a good gesture if the millionaire who bought “Job Opening” sent a similar amount to songwriter Sammy Campbell or his relatives?

Anyone have a copy of this magazine from 1967?

Surely it is Booker T and the Memphis Group.

Great dialogue...a truly black sound. Jack and Devora Brown must have thought their Fortune was coming quicker than a snap of Andre’s fingers.

A real character. RIP Andre. https://eu.detroitnews.com/story/entertainment/music/2019/03/18/singer-and-composer-andre-williams-died-sunday-82/3200458002/

I went there on my own January thru March 3 times because I had free travel on BR and my mates didnt. I mainly encountered friendship. There is no doubt that Zan could handle himself but he never gave me any grief. I managed down for the last night in January 1971 and there were some dodgy characters milling around who in my opinion were not there for the music. That was the only time I felt edgy at the Wheel.

Kathryn The only other Scot I spoke to down there was Zan but I think he lived somewhere local. On the last night of the Wheel four of us travelled down and then it was gone. I loved that place. When it closed we started going to Golden Torch, Up The Junction, Catacombs and Blackpool Mecca. They were all great but I think the closest for atmosphere to the Wheel was Catacombs. I never got to Wigan as I got immersed in golf in 1974. A day never passed however without me recalling the sounds and the magic of the clubs and people in the North of England. I loved the way they used to say the word records LOL. REH-CORE-DDDS.

Don’t know how I missed this by Ady Crampton so will listen tomorrow. https://shinyl.co.uk/2018/12/08/spyder-turner/

I love his first three records but can’t find a YouTube of “Calling Girls”. It’s 15 years since I heard it but am sure it’s top notch. Can anyone direct me to it or upload it? I think this Fortune recording was Spyder’s first outing. It was co written by Nathaniel Mayer. It’s about a Buick car. The flip ‘One Stop’ has probably nothing to do with Spyder but It’s a neat instrumental. . His next 45 was co written by Willie Jones and produced by Chuck Stokes. Chucks brother Michael later made it big with Enchantment. finally the flip side..listen to the drummer Curtis Sharp. Fantastic. Hope someone can help with “Calling Girls” TIA.

Kathryn Do you recall the two sisters (?) who always seemed to be dressed in black and sat on a seat all night between the DeeJay room and the show room? I always wonder who they were and what happened to them. I’m talking 1970.

Incredible production recorded at Gold Star Studios...The Wall of Sound.