I had my first taste of Northern Soul at the Gliderdrome in Boston although this was much more commercial and the music was pretty much available anywhere, when I think about it I had probably heard some of the music at the Castle Club (fight a night sort of place) at R.A.F. Coningsby.
My otherlove was scootering and I bought a Lambretta 125cc as soon as I was 16, in those days you could and did not even have to wear a helmet, after a couple of years I bought an SX 200 and ended up completely rebuilding it as a Royspeed 200 with Del Orto carb and Ancilotti seat, did 85 (2 up), wow shocked the greabos(bikers to you).
Soon I was into collecting the sounds and developed quite a business and I am told that my records are still changing hands in the distinctive covers that I used to put on them, it became such an obsession that I used to be late to work every Thursday morning because I was dialing Soul Bowl non-stop from 20 past eight to get first pick of the records on the list that came through my door at 7-30. My boss complained every week and was told that I made more at home than being at work, why did he not sack me I ask now.
Eventually I went to America in 1979 and brought back about 500 records, I went to Detroit, Indianapolis and Chicago and could tell you quite a tale about each city but perhaps on another page, unfortunately I was not really up to speed on some of the big cover ups at the time so did not really find too many big money sounds but did come across 4 brand new white demos of Toni Basil-Breakaway which was just breaking. Found loads of mid prices stuff like Morris Chestnut + Willie Kendricks which apparently now is some of the more expensive stuff and could not carry all of the cheapies.
Getting round the clubs at the weekend was taking it's toll on my job by now and going to Wigan or Coalville on Friday back home for a few hours sleep on Saturday then back to Wigan on Saturday night which was 130 miles from me, over to Cleethorpes on the Sunday for a dayer it was taking it's toll on me too. So settled back down to family life and missed it like crazy.
UPDATE 2003
The internet has been the driving force of the current revival and I myself have now started to promote northern nights locally. I have been told that the scene is driven by a hard core of dealers and DJ's, think again naive people, there is a whole other world on here who are talking to each other and know more than you guys think !!!!
I met up with Chris Modley recently at one of our northern soul nights , this is the guy who I went with on my trip to the States, have not spoken to him for over 15 years and he reminded me of some of the things that happened(great to see you again mate).....maybe in a book one day...................
UPDATE 2006
Is it really 3 years since I updated this life story section, well since the last addition I started the Horncastle Northern Nights which are now in their 3rd year, initially with the help of Dave Raistrick and Tim Muncater, of late it has been the help of Dougie Hall helping me take it from strength to strength, the site now has the addition of a forum with currently 650 members and growing at the rate of around 15 a day, I think it could safely be termed a success !!
Still getting out and about to local events and now have a regular trip abroad on my calendar which is Soul in the Sun, the twice yearly event in Tenerife, if you are going let me know we can have a beer.
UPDATE 2008
Horncastle gets more popular than ever which is very rewarding, smart new flyers and well known DJ's now appearing on a bi-monthly basis are bringing with good attendances. I keep making slight changes to the site and adding the music for you to listen to which currently has 27 pages with almost 1,700 sounds to listen to and gets around 1,000 page hits daily and that is very rewarding to know, nothing much else to say except make yourself known if you see me out I am always happy to meet you. |
