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The History of Wigan Casino and Northern Soul

Part 2

Not only did Wigan have something special just 45 minutes away along the M6 and everybodys favourite seasisde resort Blackpool Mecca and the highland room was playing its version of northern soul. Ian Levine was the brains behind what can only be described as a point of difference in northern soul music, the sounds where different more towards a modern day jazz func soul. I alway say you take music as it comes, some sounds are brilliant and some you disgard, Levines approach was to early, yes this music had something but northern soul was still banging out sounds from the 60s and early 70s and most hard core northern soul followers where not ready for this new version, it caused disturbance between DJs across the scene and the rift began, Wigan or Mecca. Well we all know which club won that contest but I for one enjoyed the mecca and the highland room especially the alldayers on Sunday. It went something like this Casino Sunday 2am to 8am, Wigan baths from 10am to 12pm and off to Blackpool and the mecca, not too sure what time it ended could never remember but Monday morning heading off to Horwich loco works was not my ideal cup of tea. Bolton also had a terrific northern soul venue called va vas and I must admit some of the best sounds still around today came out of that wonderful place. My routine never changed each weekend looking for venues playing what became an obsession of powerful mind blowing northern soul. How I ever finished my apprenticship without getting the sack I will never know to this day. Once I took a tape cassette player into the toolroom of Horwich loco works, even the old blokes got into it, its that kind of music, it makes you happy, sad, cry and love. Not only was the music a trend but the fashion what came with it. I must have spent a fortune on having suits, trousers, leather jackets, shirts and shoes all made to measure and do so to this very day. Their comes a point in your life when you have to move on, I wanted to but this obsession had a strangle hold and was taking its toll.