WIGAN CASINO

I started to go to the Wigan Casino all-nighters in early 1976, this was a club that run played obscure soul music which was first organised by Russell Winstanley.

It was to become a big part of my life, and still is remembered as a major part of my musical up bringing to this day. I will always remember the first time I every went to the Casino as an adventure. That was to get on the train at Southport, and get off at Wigan Wallgate. I will always think of Wigan as a dirty and grimy place, as I ascended the steps of the station into the street above. As I remember it was a Friday night, I attended what was called the early sessions, which was aimed at young people who could not go to the all-nighters on the Saturdays. I went with a couple of good friends, but met more people on the train who were into the Northern Soul music.

I can remember that all the music all sounded the same at that time, but I took a tape recorded to record the music. As I play the tape back in later years, how I realise now that the music doesn't sound the same after a life time of listening to the records at various soul nights up and down the country. On the tape was such songs as The Gems "I Be There", The Artistics "Hope We Have", The Detroit Spinners "Cool Off", N.F Porter "Keep On, Keepin' On" just to name a few.