Northern Soul, a sub culture that grew out of Britain’s mid 60’s soul/mod scene. The music was characterized by its heavy stomping beat that people could not resist dancing to.
More earthy and less formulated than the commercially successful Motown. Northern Soul began to cultivate a fanatical and loyal following.
1960’s Britain still had a large American Military presence and the Soul and R’n’b records they brought with them would gradually work its way into the hungry and eager audience of mods and jazz freaks who strived to seek out something new and different.
Early Northern Soul fashion included bowling shirts, members began wearing patches representing their club nights held all over Britain.
The music was usually recorded by lesser known artists from Motown, Stax, Okeh and many more obscure record labels. Many of the artist’s would never know or enjoy success or hit records.
Two men are credited with how the term “northern soul” came to be. Journalist Dave Godin, of Blues and Soul magazine, is said to have coined they phrase on a long train journey to the Blackpool Mecca. The other is Tony Petheridge, in 1974 Tony was promoter of the country’s leading “alldayer”, held at Whitchurch Civic Centre each bank holiday. Tony came up with the phrase in retaliation to the “Southern Soul Club” that had been advertising venues in the south. It worked well for promoting events he had layed on in the North of England,”Northern Soul”.
The late 60’s and early 70’s saw a lively club scene develop. The first nightclub that carried the true Northern Soul spirit was Manchester’s Twisted Wheel Club. Other early clubs would have been The Mojo in Sheffield, The Catacombs in Wolverhampton, Golden Torch in Stoke and, of course, the famous Wigan Casino.
More earthy and less formulated than the commercially successful Motown. Northern Soul began to cultivate a fanatical and loyal following.
1960’s Britain still had a large American Military presence and the Soul and R’n’b records they brought with them would gradually work its way into the hungry and eager audience of mods and jazz freaks who strived to seek out something new and different.
Early Northern Soul fashion included bowling shirts, members began wearing patches representing their club nights held all over Britain.
The music was usually recorded by lesser known artists from Motown, Stax, Okeh and many more obscure record labels. Many of the artist’s would never know or enjoy success or hit records.
Two men are credited with how the term “northern soul” came to be. Journalist Dave Godin, of Blues and Soul magazine, is said to have coined they phrase on a long train journey to the Blackpool Mecca. The other is Tony Petheridge, in 1974 Tony was promoter of the country’s leading “alldayer”, held at Whitchurch Civic Centre each bank holiday. Tony came up with the phrase in retaliation to the “Southern Soul Club” that had been advertising venues in the south. It worked well for promoting events he had layed on in the North of England,”Northern Soul”.
The late 60’s and early 70’s saw a lively club scene develop. The first nightclub that carried the true Northern Soul spirit was Manchester’s Twisted Wheel Club. Other early clubs would have been The Mojo in Sheffield, The Catacombs in Wolverhampton, Golden Torch in Stoke and, of course, the famous Wigan Casino. Chemically driven all-nighters became a must for all scenesters. The atmosphere was welcoming with little trouble, alcohol was a bit player as amphetamines kept the floor filled through the night. Northern Soul dancing was sweaty and athletic with flips, spins and backdrops.
Thousands visited the Casino every weekend, but the exclusive and underground appeal of the music was lost and many of the original soul fans drifted away. When the Wigan casino was shutdown in 1981, many thought it might be the end of the northern Soul scene but, this only encouraged fans to develop scenes of their own throughout Britain. These days’ clubs can be discovered around the globe in cities such as Berlin, New York and Sydney.
Floor Fillers
1 Marvin Gaye – Lonely Lover (Alt. Mix)
2 Jackie Wilson - Whispers
3 Sam Dees – Lonely for you Baby
4 Gene Chandler – Nothing can stop me
5 Don Thomas – Come on Train
6 Gloria Jones – Tainted Love
7 Al Wilson – The Snake
8 Doby Gray – Out on the Floor
9 Ocean Colour Scene – All Up
10 Stevie Wonder – Love A Go-Go
Thousands visited the Casino every weekend, but the exclusive and underground appeal of the music was lost and many of the original soul fans drifted away. When the Wigan casino was shutdown in 1981, many thought it might be the end of the northern Soul scene but, this only encouraged fans to develop scenes of their own throughout Britain. These days’ clubs can be discovered around the globe in cities such as Berlin, New York and Sydney.
Floor Fillers
1 Marvin Gaye – Lonely Lover (Alt. Mix)
2 Jackie Wilson - Whispers
3 Sam Dees – Lonely for you Baby
4 Gene Chandler – Nothing can stop me
5 Don Thomas – Come on Train
6 Gloria Jones – Tainted Love
7 Al Wilson – The Snake
8 Doby Gray – Out on the Floor
9 Ocean Colour Scene – All Up
10 Stevie Wonder – Love A Go-Go
ALBUMS (click links to preview)
Northern Soul Essential Collection
The Northern Soul Scene
Northern Soul's Classiest Rarities
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