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  • Have to admit it wasn't my favourite haunt, but it was special, as for the drug scene it was no worse than many other clubs at the time, it just seemed to get more attention, probably those not part of the in crowd. KTF

  • I was part of it and feel bloody lucky to have been to wigan casino - never have I experienced an atmosphere like that since and doubt I ever well. The music you can argue about maybe - but not the atmoshpere. Special place for me and always will be - keep the faith :)))

  • Astounded at the hate on here. I would have loved to be at wigan, or around in any of the soul era, brilliant music. Wish I could move like that.

  • 80% of wigan music was crap.so called djs unearthing rare music and making a fortune making pressings.it was all a con.they only played the tracks they want to make pressings of.it was a frieendly atmosphere though.but drug fuelled

  • wigan was junkies dancin to shite music

  • @mansfieldfolkhouse HOW CAN U SAY THAT MY FREIND WIGAN WAS THE CREAM OF THE CROP BRILLANT MUSIC IN ITS DAY

  • Would just like to add that Wigan Casino was voted "Best Disco In The World" by Billboard Magazine in America in 1978. Ahead of Studio 54 in New York.

  • Don't listen to any negative comments young soulsters! Once you've experienced the feeling it stays with you. I've loved the music for over 30 years and was just too young to make it to Wigan. People have always said that the music was dated. We organised our own dances and all-nighters in Glasgow throughout the eighties and nineties and it's great to see the scene is still thriving

  • While it's true, many took speed many didn't, not all needed it to dance. The music itself was a high, the atmosphere, and yes believe it or not, so was the friendship bond that existed. There was never any trouble, no fights, you tell me where you can get several hundred even thousands on some nights young men together and no trouble. People were there to dance and listen to the music. Yes it does look dated now, but it was in it's day, the best club in the UK. I for one am glad I experienced

  • ""Belong, keep the fire burning etc.".....Bollocks!! You all looked ridiculous. All of you. Wired on amphetamines, drinking coca-cola, leaping around like hyper-active cats on catnip "dancing" (and i use the term loosely) to the most anemic "soul" musac the human race has ever produced. You morons. You should be ashamed of yourselves. Glad i was nowhere near it. Right On...my arse!

  • @reeva1665 - I doubt many share your opinion.

  • @reeva1665 you really do not know what having a good time is do you? i would have killed to be at the wigan casino. Also what are you doing watching this if you really hate it? Also what is wrong with drinking Cocal-Cola people can still have a good time without being out of their brain from the amount of drink they had and the best thing is from not drinking is you can actually remember the brilliant things that happened the night before.

  • @reeva1665

    I'm assuming you never actually experienced a night there then??? Glad you was nowhere near it?????.........well thank god for that.........some poor feckers could have had their evening ruined with you in close vacinity :)

  • whats this record please the first one ta

  • @DSilius Walter jackson - It's an Uphill Climb To The Bottom - US Okeh/UK Columbia 1966

  • Some like fire arrows, some throw spears, but me I just like green and clears (graffiti from my old college in the 70s)

  • Hi, I went to the Casino once. I was with a girl who was really into the scene, I had hair down my back, scruffy jeans and was well out of place. I thought the place was a bit of a dump, the people were hostile towards me as if I had invaded some private party (which I suppose I had). There was too much prancing around for my liking especialy from the blokes. I'm not that sure that it "all about the music" - more like "all about the ego"

  • @mcgranc never went there..if these guys paid the earth for the vinyl..why not let their hair down...suppose they got none now..lol...it was just their place...enjoy the tunes...when all said and done this was an underground movement and you did invade their space...i went to a do in disco gear once ..OH THE LOOOKS...OMG...just enjoy

  • @mcgranc: Wouldn't a Northern Soulie have got the same reaction if they had gone to a prog rock/matal event?? The human race is tribal, get over it sunshine or I'll snap your neck.

  • @mcgranc hello mc,, interesting observation.....yes you'd look out of place in there....as would all of the 'soulers' at rock or punk gig...........astonishingly Norther Soul was no more than a sub- culure. It never caught on in a national way. Up in Scotland we picked up on it and the dance style and look found its way alongside disco dancing. We loved NS...it was so original and....we all 'belonged' somewhere..

  • them fellas cudnt ov pulled dancin like that

  • @Meansnare

    silly girl......

  • @Meansnare not about pullin..DANCIN

  • great shirt .14

  • LOL at spinning zombie @ 3:39

  • Hi, can anyone out there tell me something about Louise Freeman and the song "I can do it if I see it) on the Shout Label1974-75. Is she Karen Louise Freeman who sang with Eastbound Expressway in the 80's (Knock Me Senseless? Also, she possibley sang Magic Fly Space and GivenUp (UK Charts 2000). I have been trying to find some info on the 70's song for 3 months with no luck. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

  • Sad news...Bippo from Stoke sadly passed away yesterday..a Wigan regular who loved his music and the scene.

    Godbless brother

  • @razelma Anyone who was a northern soul mate .... god bless him...!

  • just plenty of blueys

  • @mancityok100 Plus Green and Clears/ Black Bombers/Philon/ Dex.....oh yes great memories....ktf..

  •  something tells me these lads didnt down 10 pints of stella each that night..

  • @1959child just plenty of blueys

  • looks like a new york gay club

  • @dapperdaveyboy reste en Amérique "dave the rave"!

  • @dapperdaveyboy the dancing was the theme.....we still shagged birds..but we didnt need to get 'bevvied' to have a GREAT life...........and we took courage to learn the music....kidz these day dont know or do jack

  • @discoreview - The UK now has changed beyond recognition, people, values, attitudes - everything.

  • @discoreview hey,

    a few of us these days do have the courage to learn the music we dont all follow what is being realesed at this time we dont all want to be brainwashed by these music companys trying to maximise profits using the braindead people of today (atleast 90% kids). Only been listening to soul for 2 years now and bands that are classed as mod for about 4 years but never liked modern music in my life. KEEP THE FAITH!

  • Cheers pal.

    I've been playing and playing the track. Brilliant. I can't find anyting on the net about The Tan Geers/Tangeers though.

    Thanks again

    Bill

  • KTF

  • Oh for someone to invent a camera that not only captures the images,but also the aroma !a mixture of johnsons talc,brut sweat and nictine ! then the picture will be complete ! happy memories of a happy time and my love for the scene carries on today,as you would know if you walked past my garage !i have a neighbour who shouts over OI TURN STEREO THAT UP !!!!!

  • loved the vid. 

  • WISH THIS COULD GO ON FOREVER

    KEEP THE FAITH

  • @jeno@mansfield those magic nights at the casino didnt like the night that the tv cameras came as the lights were on for most of the evening but still the atmosphere was great . wish i had kept in touch with the friends i met then jeno

  • KEEP THE FAITH

  • This is the best footage I've ever seen - I love the way it's been slowed down - makes the whole showery bunch look like russian ballay dancers! You'll have to excuse my grammar - awfully long night. But not as long as they used to be!!!.........

  • like the footage and the songs ,was there in 1979 my dad paid for me to go their when i was 15 it was great, still well into the music and the dance moves (ive got to teach my wife to do the moves she loves the music

  • the guy in the corner of the video at the start ,till about 12 sec,s is tommy stanger from accrington he was there every week come rain or shine he was very well known with the blackburn and darwen soul crowd a regular at the mecca in blackburn sadly not with us any more.he intoduced me to sound of gene toones what a sound R.I.P tommy Scooby from accy 

  • I love this song so much. On its own, it can bring a tear to my eye, but reading about your lost friend combined wth listening to this song is pretty powerful indeed. Ktf

  • My lovely,gorgeous,funny friend used to frequent Wigan Casino. Just after her final visit she was murdered. Watching this is kinda a double-edged sword for me as she used to be so full of excitement each time she came back from a fab night here. So although I'm sitting here crying the smiles are also coming through. God bless Carol, I still miss you so very much honey xxx

  • @suerichfowey hi just read about your friend,it also brings tears to to my eyes , its been thirty years since i went to wigan casino when i was 15 but the memerory i have is still there ,i hope the memories are still with you as well ,keep the faith ,take care ,chris

  • @suerichfowey

    ,keep the faith ,take care ,adrian

  • I feel a whole load better after knowing Wigan casino was actually in Wigan. I think there's a chance it would'nt of been called Wigan casino. If it had been in another location

  • I was born about 15 years too late :(

  • makes me well up !

  • getting the last train from manchester. coming into the warmup next door before the casino opened, then having to wait on sunday for the first train ..it was 12 oclock...

  • what is the second song called and who is the lady singer?

  • @seanroses

    I'm wondering the same thing. It's a top tune. Did anyone ever find out?

  • @kopeye @seanroses The second track is by Tan Geers and is called "Let My Heart And Soul Be Free"....hope this helps :)

    ktf!

  • to brill tracks by 2 brill vocalists sums the scene up BRILLIANT.

    keep em comin!

  • hi anybody out there i am trying to find the song by little richie (i am not sure what the name of the song is) the chorus in the song gos something like this (and it looks like feels like and got the ear marks o ya ya its just another heaert break for me) can any body help and is it in you tube YOUR TRULY NORTHERNSOUL STILL KEEPING THE FAITH

  • @1962sharif  you were nearly there! It's called "Just another Heartache" it's on the Sound Stage Seven label!

    yes it's on here just search for little richie - just another heartache.

  • thank you i found it now be blesse3d and do keep in touch keep the faith

  • Without wishing to sound smug - by god I was so lucky to be part of this - it has lived with me all my life. Once you are 'touched' by this music your are hooked. Funny thing though, we all knew at the time it was special at the time :)) keep the faith soulies!

  • the girl from 2.14 -2.18 pops up on these videos a lot same with some of the blokes i look at this as social history as well as just bloody brilliant dancing and music , but cant help wondering what happened to these people , hope your all well and happy where ever you may be . KTF.

  • does anyone remember Steve Maxwell and Thursday nights at the Aquarius night club in Hastings??? We used to get loads of guys doing their Northern Soul Magic. But actually I think they were from Birmingham mainly.

    Isley Bros rule.

  • on 1;35 im sure it is sandy holt, the Thaiboxer from bolton

  • my mum used to go

  • Search and join the Official PETE MCKENNA NIGHTSHIFT facebook group.He is re releasing an updated edition of this book about growing up in and around Wigan Casino.

  • whats the song ?

  • I suppose i should count myself lucky to have been part of the casino scene for a couple of years. Been to loads of niters since, but somehow none of them quite had the magic Wigan did.The only one that came close was Parr Hall, Warrington

  • 3:37 - spangled..

  • (LOOKING FOR ANDY JONES)

    Hi,

    Anyone know Andy Jones, went to Newent Comp H/S (Glos) 74 to 79 and went to Wigan Casino regularly with his Brother Kevin thru these years.

    Went to school with him these years and would like to make contact with him, Andy where are you man ?

    Chris G. (left UK 1980 for NZ and now in AUS)

  • I never went to Wigan Casino, Yes, samanthas, cleethorpes pier etc but gosh should have done. One huge regret in life is that. Anyways got the metrodome nown in Barnsley and well its an awesome night but ohhhh wish it was wigan 30 years ago.

  • Went to wigan for about 3 years 1972 to 1975, other places aswell dropped out when it became very commercial. I went to the Northern soul night at the metrodome Sat night it was fantastic, my feet never stopped wish I was 20 again.

  • To davebbe123 get a life how wasi it a gay bar normanI bet its party time at yours every night git ktf

  • we used to travel from the midlands to the casino, and dance almost all night, no trouble, we were like , and still all one massive familly, keep the faith,

  • LOL at darlitaxdg's comment LOL

  • Comment removed

  • Fantastic memories!! I just wish I could still dance like that!

  • Is it my imagination or was the dance floor 90% guys??

  • I'd say roughly that would be the mix. Dancing was a big part of the scene and before you ask, yes we was all straight!! (Well mostly)

  • @Markpool - you're clearly an insider who knew the scene intimately. I am an interested 'outsider' who had heard of northern soul and have found these videos fascinating in a kind of 'social history' way....and the composition of the crowd was the 3rd thing that jumped out at me after the style (and skill) of the dancing and the music. I completely accept it was mainly straight. The dancing - rather than let's say 'romancing' - was the primary reason for attending: atypical of club culture.

  • They were fantastic times for sure, everybody got on really well and it was a good social event, I mainly used the upstairs room known as Mr.M's because the music played in there was a lot of stuff from the Twisted Wheel and the Torch whilst in the main ballroom it was more new stuff and live acts too. Oh if I could turn back time!!

  • nice one,good time dancing,gave me good memories of the eadrly eighties scooter rallys,good music good times bless you for putting this out.wakefield knights scooter club 1984member

  • love the songs thanks great times

  • the one and only wigan keep the faith

  • Oh the memories, I too only got to the Casino once in 1980, I could never manage those fast spins coming up off the floor, leather souled shoes helped but ma Kilt kept getting in the way. It always amused the ladies though, great times.

  • nice song ,who is he ,what song?merci

  • 1st track - Walter Jackson - "It's An Uphill Climb To The Bottom"

    2nd track - Tan Geers - "Let My Heart and Soul Be Free"

  • went to the casino from 1977, it was awesome,and the memories will stay with me forever, ktf,

  • wish i was around back then, compare wigan now to then, fuck me i missed out, big time

  • the best days love to live them again nipper keno and all the ormskirk soul crew in memory of pete lawson

  • whizz and talc powder lol

  • Wow, bloody wow, I love this, was too young to go at the time. Im from north wales and we had northern soul dancing classes in the chapel hall ! So regret never having been to Wigan when this was going down, just love it.  Tryng desperately to remember some of the moves !! thanks for posting.x

  • wow

  • Does anyone remember Bernie McMahon wuth lived in Wigan. \i would love to get inntouch

    regards Coral McDermott

  • And all of this on coca cola ;)

  • its a pity the women were crap dancers.and dressed crap too

  • GILLHILLS BACK .

  • ktf

  • Tan Geers song available on OKEH A Northern Soul Obsession on KENT CDKEND 142 its a great CD I recommend it and should still be available

  • Thanks Pal.

  • great....nice one for posting that ktf

  • so is this early acid house ?

  • Does it SOUND like Acid House? No.

  • Anyone know of a C.D that has the Tan Geers 'Let your heart and soul be free' on it? I'd really appreciate it.

  • yes I do...lol...have it a couple of times on my sisters cd's...'Okeh - a Northern Soul Obsession Vol.2' and 'Keeping The Faith 40 Years of Northern Soul A 4 CD Box Set'...probably available on more but would have to dig further...hope this helps and you can get them from amazon!!...M...x

  • the best disco on the planet . .easy. .wigan council what a load of plonkers. the biggest attraction they could ever have been given. and look what they did, they tried to close it for years, the casino is now world famous, and every one claims to have been there !

  • Only went the once. Twisted Wheel & soul nights on a Tuesday at The Warren in Stockport. All 3 councils have a lot to answer for.....

  • Hooray for Wigan Council ! They should award them the Nobel prize for good taste and lifetime contribution to Soul music!

  • from gloucester used to go tot wigan back in the 70's loved it still go to alnighters t othis day great music love it

  • Karen,

    Not sure if this is you, did you go to Newent Comp around 74 to 79 and knew Andy jones who I am trying to contact ?

    Any help appreciated.

  • absolutely ecstatic to see such a posting on you tube.brlliant.

  • Comment removed

  • Fantastic tribute red777.

    What's the last song played?

  • Walter Jackson--It's An Uphill Climb To The Bottom

  • cheers mate, great song.

  • oops, I was actually inquiring about the second song (at 2'50"), possible name is "living in a world without you"...

  • Hi the record is The Tan Geers, let my Heart and Soul be Free. One of my Faves

  • Cheers susie, dunn, great song indeed!

  • The second song is by the Tan Geers and its called 'Let my heart and soul be free'.

  • memories come flooding back,from the hitching lifts up the m1 and the arriving at knutsford.waiting for for the coach from wolves to take us to the casino to dance to great sounds like these.long after those nights were all over and time has passed me by i was on my way back to the real world and just memories.the casino will live in our hearts forever

    pete from hemel ktf

  • and they say white men can't dance. In your face, These gu's are great.

  • What can I say, I find it hard to tell folk that the 70's was not all bad dancing on TOTP2 and Disco. This is the 70's I remember

  • well its up 2 the yooung guns like me nd me m8s 2 keep the faith wid our drops nd spins now

  • who sings the first song on this video, wot a classic reminds me ov my younger days lol

  • Walter Jackson

  • i from wian n loved the casino

    it will be bak but us dancers 2 old now lol

  • Who is Lol? Wasn't he in 10cc? ctm

  • Loved wigan, miss it heaps!

  • I am from the states and I didn't know there were such fans of soul music in the u.k. Long live northern soul !

  • It's an uphill climb to the bottom... Pure class. Fantastic footage. Thanks for sharing it .

  • Wigan Casino RIP. We miss you so much.

    From a Wigan boy

  • You miss the casino eh? If you're 31 as your profile states then that would have made you about 3 years old when it burn't down. Jeez!

  • My profile isn't correct. I was born in Shevington in 1965. Jeez!

  • Fantastical!!

  • For an old guy, I'm just learning about "Northern Soul" thanks to posts like yours.

    Chicago-born, I thought I'd heard the best R&B, soul, but I was wrong...

    thx, for such great music...

  • tx for sharing

  • Awsome!!

  • Mesmerising!

  • Second track is Tan Geers "Let My Heart And Soul Be Free"

    KTF!

  • Thanks Medeamusic

    from a Wigan boy too young to take part at the time...

  • i would do anything to go back in time and be a part of this life...

    ..as nothing ever compares to the original. bless this footage !

  • What's the second track, the one with the female vocalist? Great sound...

  • I will have to show this clip to my sister. She's a Big Northern Soul Fan -they have started up Norhtern Soul Nights in Dundee and she is right back into it again. Was never my thing but it still has a Big Following.

  • Walter Jackson "Its an uphill climb to the bottom" is the track

    Im only a bairn (born in 79) but was brought up on Northern soul and motown.

    Keep the faith!

  • what are the 2 songs used with this clip?

  • Fabulous track,

  • my old mate from gloucester is on this vid he won the dancing comp at wigan £100 FIRST PRIZE his name is dennis lee you see a guy leap and backdrop near the start wearing blue trousers white top dennis is the guy after him in black there is a picture of dennis on out on the floor volume 1 cd front cover

  • £100 prize money? Gosh,back then that would have been a small fortune.I wouldn't have wanted to cross paths with the guy that came fifth !!

  • And hip hop street dancing think they invented something new! I bet you northern soul guys wouldn't have bet on a northern soul ressurection on film ie. Duffy's Mercy video in 2008

  • Check the guy in the blue North Carolina sweat shirt he could spin on a tanner. Tony where are you mate?

  • thats is my mate ant as in anthony as in tony

    or as known ant burke

    abarrow02 are an artist as in david or tony

  • Yes I am the artist the Anthony one.

    I have not seen Ant for years I am really bad at names, the last time I saw him he was selling racing bikes

    Do you know where he is now

    I always wanted to spin like him.

    Don't think I know you though swimstim I have looked at the footage again but don't recognise anyone else.

    Great days though eh!

  • i have not seen ant for ages,he used to have the bike shop facing bulldog tools/crispin pub on schofield lane,i have seen footage for years with dancing from the casino but i have never seen one with me before

  • ,couple of reasons i always went to blackpool mecca and by the time the coach got back to wigan we just wanted to chill so went in mr. m's most of the time,plus we always felt it was cool dudes only 'upstairs' soul snobs so to speak,but getting back to ant he was one of the best dancers ever in the casino,i knew him from the beachcomber years before and he was always up dancing there while us lot just used to stand watching in awe.

  • watched it fully now i'm on it a few times even in a changed shirt (how vain) i think my wife is there as well but cant tell for sure about 32 years ago that c.1978

    im 52 this year and was about 20ish i think i have been married 27 years now and that was when year were courting

  • bumbed into an old my mate earlier today,hes been trying to get in touch with me ages - sent me this video as a link because i am on it 2mins 25 seconds in is my mate ant and i am the one directly after with the baggy jeans and white shirt-i had them jeans made to measure cost me a weeks wages- god was i so thin

  • your right mate,but at 15 the beachcomer was where i learned my moves and loved my music

  • Also what about the Beachcomber the morning after straight after the 'nighter- that was brilliant!!"!!

  • Dead right

    Loads of the 'real' people stayed away cos of the cameras coming in

  • hi mate your dead right the place was full of people you never saw before, but lets not forget the beachcomer downstairs were we learned our soul bfore moving upstairs

  • The night the camera crew came in loads of people appeared who'd never been there before...don't forget folks we danced in near darkness!! Anyone from the York crowd here??

  • hi daveraby,thanx for taking the time to reply to my question.i have been into northern for years but have never heard this track played at any soul venue ive been to including the kings hall.thanks again for your reply.sean k.t.f.