Stafford vs. Northern Soul

S

Shanghai Bobs

A few posts under my belt
Did anyone else see that article in The Guardian today (Aug 20) about the heyday of northern soul in the mid-to-late '70s? http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2010/aug/21/northern-soul-soulboy-film

The seventh comment down under the article -- by DaveTheSuede -- says that northern soul "was kept alive through the 1980s in places like Burnley, Blackburn, Morecambe, Leicester, Yorkshire... and Stafford".

Is that true? What were the northern soul nights/clubs in Stafford? I was a bit young then, but would be interested to know if anyone can remember. Did anyone play here -- and where? My first big nights out were at Shelley's in Stoke and it was all a bit housey by that time. Not that I was complaining ...

PS My first post on SF!!
 
basil

basil

don't mention the blinds
The Boro' Social Club on Chell Road had a few themed nights and N Soul was most certainly featured, a certain Jules Caruso was DJing at the time and whatever was called for he would usually deliver. Most of the social clubs would periodically have a N Soul night Never saw Stafford as a leading light of this musical genre but then i was never into 'Ski'ing in the Snow'.......
 
J

Jenksie

Well-Known Forumite
He probably means Stoke - the Torch club being second only to Wigan Casino in terms of prestige cool and fame.

I'd question the "late Seventies" chronology too - Soul of the Northern variety was much earlier than that.

Dexy's were knocking about in 79 doing their Soul revival thing.

I'd better give the article a read now!
 
K

keithandrew

A few posts under my belt
I typed stafford and northern soul into google and was pleasently surprised.It appears Stafford was a hotbed for Northern Soul
Heres just 1 cut and paste job
Stafford's Top of the World was one of the nightspots du jour at the peak of Britain's Northern soul club culture. Favoring the most propulsive, gritty, and obscure records from the halcyon days of American soul music, the venue was home to former Wigan Casino DJs and tastemakers Richard Searling and Gary Rushbrooke, later launching the careers of "terrible twins" Keb Darge and Guy Hennigan. Despite the odd syntax of its subtitle, Stafford Story: 24 Northern Soul Tracks That Broke Mould is a fine retrospective of songs popular at and popularized by Top of the World, assembling two dozen rare soul sides, some making their CD debut. Highlights include Rodd Keith's "Like the Lord Said," Jackie Day's "Naughty Boy," Roy Wright's "Hook, Line and Sinker," and Glenda McCloud's "No Stranger to Love." ~ Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide
Plenty of other links
 
stoofer34

stoofer34

Well-Known Forumite
Alive and kicking here!

http://outercirclesc.co.uk/HomePage.htm


Family members frequent the album pages!

S
 
United57

United57

Well-Known Forumite
Jenksie said:
He probably means Stoke - the Torch club being second only to Wigan Casino in terms of prestige cool and fame.

I'd question the "late Seventies" chronology too - Soul of the Northern variety was much earlier than that.

Dexy's were knocking about in 79 doing their Soul revival thing.

I'd better give the article a read now!
Click to expand...
There were many all nighters all over the country before Wigan and Stoke. In the late 60's is was rare soul was played at Mod clubs and then came the allnighters, too mant to list.

As we know Dave Godding of Blues and Soul came up with the term in the early 70's.
 
John Marwood

John Marwood

I ♥ cryptic crosswords
The film had its National Premier last night at the Kings Hall in Stoke at 7.00pm and the dancing finished at 7am this morning... Mr J Marwood was invited but unfortunately he can no longer mash his potatoes
 
stoofer34

stoofer34

Well-Known Forumite
My Brother lied to pass audition as dancer in crowd

said he was 40 (upper age limit for extras)

more like 56!!!!

S
 
S

Shanghai Bobs

A few posts under my belt
The chronology is wildy off judging by some of the stuff I saw. Thanks for the "Stafford Story" tip -- although I guess the chances of ever seeing a copy are pretty remote. Cheers all the same.
 
J

Jenksie

Well-Known Forumite
http://soulfulkindamusic.tripod.com/stafford.htm

Not "way off" methinks but a few years out which is forgivable seeing as it was 35 years ago.
I have recollections of Oxford Bags, Platforms, Feather cuts and TankTops in 1973-74.

Seemed to thrive on obscure records that took classic Motown as a blueprint.

The Golden Torch had gone by then - it only lasted a couple of years in the mid sixties I think- God knows how people got to Tunstall back in the day if they were out of area!!!

Northern Soul seemed to fill a gap for the yoof between Bowie/Roxy/Glam and Punk.

Time for a revival if we can drag the kid's from their Nintendos and the Grown Up's from their Sky packages. Some chance. Music is dead.
 
stoofer34

stoofer34

Well-Known Forumite
The Torch

Well before Northern Soul

We used to cadge lifts from anyone at the White Lion who was going on a Saturday Night!

Mrs S won dancing competitions there (before we met)

try this soon

http://6towns.co.uk/

S
 
S

soulboy

A few posts under my belt
Ive been on the Northern Soul scene the last 13 yrs travelling the length & breadth of Britain , all - niters ,weekenders , soul nites , all dayers , the lot. Northern Soul is very alive and well , probably the biggest underground scene , not only in Britain but globally. If your into soul , get yourself out there , its still alive and the Torch is still burning brightly.
 
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