A golden moment at Wigan casino

1975 for me was the best year at Wigan casino. Gone had the label of just another Torch. The 2 years previous, certainly relied on imported Torch playlists. Martyn Ellis and Keith Minsull were both Torch dj's. So no big surprise they continued the Torch influence. A lot of casinos members. Came from the Tunstall club. A Torch badge almost seemed standard. At the Catacomb's in Wolverhampton which was also closed now. Wigan casino had now started to find records unplayed anywhere else. The 6 years that followed must of uncovered 100's maybe 1000's of the records still popular today. The 2nd anniversary was a benchmark. For Wigan casino. As it was a night of northern soul. The pure brilliance that as never been equalled since. It will never be better in opinion maybe. If any club stages a better event. It will not be northern soul played in it

[@secretagent4445]

I started going to Wigan Sept 78 and went every weekend till it shut. I've got brilliant memories of Wigan, and met and have mates from 40 years ago, because of Wigan 🙂 Ktf guys 👍

[@mickmccarthy118]

My first night at the casino when i was 17 ,i was hooked instantly ,Tommy Hunt was brilliant and saw him again a few times always great. fantastic memories of the Casino

[@7DDuncan]

I remember the 2nd Anniversary as if was yesterday, It was my claim to about 10 minutes of fame, I had got through months of heats for the dancing competition(aged 16) And there I was on the night in the final against the formidable and very popular “Karate Kid “. Sandy( Winstanleys best mate) and three other guys, Needless to say the winner was already picked before I even started shuffle,😂 1st Karate kid, 2nd some blonde haired guy from Warrington, 3rd myself, In my opinion :0) if he would’ve played Sisters Love. “Learning to trust my man” I would’ve shuffled myself to 1st place, At least with the 25 quid that I won, I was able the pay The Preston Street Dancers and myself into Wigan baths on the Sunday morning, So that I was nice n fresh when I got home? To tell my mum that I had gone to Sunday mass before she got up, A true story, Ps Well done Sandy, 😬

[@leosmith9825]

That’s a great story

[@GasMaskHeadhunter]

My memorys not what it was. I know little Danny from Peterborough either won or came 2nd in either the 1st or 2nd Comp. RIP Danny. Was wheelchair bound with bone problems and bad smack habit. But the kid used to be amazing. Oh and Billy. Used to stop at Pboro to pick them up now n then.

[@scarthogirl]

As you find in life which you don't find out till much later it's not what you know or can do its who you know

[@TheMagicofJava]

Spot on about the Torch and Cats Garry. Unfortunately, my memory of the night and Wigan is less charitable. I recall Gerry Marshall bigging up Tommy's closeness to Otis and the asking a shocked Tommy to sing My Girl. Tommy couldn't refuse but forgot the words. A metaphor for how the Casino went on to bend the definition of soul music? But as the years have gone I have become less cynical and indeed passionate. Am I being too hard? Probably. Wigan was all we had, our lives, our loves, our passion. A reminder of how we had moved from youths to adults. At the end I couldn't wait for it to close, but nothing could even replace it. Briefly along with a good many Wigan regulars we believed that La Hacienda was a substitute. But I dream of pulling up on Station Road, greeting Mrs Woods and climbing the stairs, not of Whitworth Street and Tony Wilson. Let's keep those brillant memories for we are family.

[@garrywilliam1459]

I have to be impartial with comments. A lot of people get blamed wrongly. It was still a good night. I remember the best bits only

[@ivorwilliams5605]

so many memories ktf

[@bluenose007]

Never went to live acts i wanted the original records. Went from 74 to 78

[@garrywilliam1459]

Nice of you to comment Paul. It’s much better when you admit that source of fun exists. Most denied it good on you

[@oldsoulboy6483]

I was there and still have the autographed give away record that he was handing out

[@josearmijo9898]

I was there that night - great times - always remember the condensation and sweat running down the walls and Tommy Hunt was dripping ha ha!

[@garrywilliam1459]

Glad it gave you a reminder, Jose. To me, it was the night Wigan Casino was born

[@57dogsbody]

Wigan Casino wasn't born in'75. It had already died a horrible and embarrassing death when the music turned to pop crap and for the most part the punters came'cos they had seen it on telly . That was at the end of '74. the first 14 months were when it really was ACE.

[@Genghis-Khan121]

57dogsbody most of the first two years was the over flow from the torch as it it had just finished indeed for me up to 75 was fine but I felt the same way as you did , after they let the cameras in on that night I started to recognise lots of scallies bag thieves the lot was the start of the circus along with clowns to match lol

[@melvyndolby8625]

@@57dogsbody the TV cameras hadnt appeared in the era your talking about, they came in 76

[@Genghis-Khan121]

I was there along with many many others good days and nights gone for ever but no one can take away those memories but the many black bombers I had down my neck over a 5 year period as well as the mandrax to come down ,took its tole many years later as with others , still collect still play the odd good venue prefer to stay out of the limelight but have given the top ten a good run for their money over the last 20 years till I sold all my better stuff now started collecting again within last 3 years I now enjoy just good soul music kinda left the northern behind but will always have pride of place in my heart

[@factsoverfeelings1]

I was there 😊

[@barryappleby9647]

I was lucky enough to win a signed copy of this album via a Blue s & souls competition, apparently there were only six of these for grabs. was there on the night . one of my friends are on the album cover in the crowd

[@dundee520]

great post mate,ktf

[@artguerrero9952]

Friggin scratched!

[@GasMaskHeadhunter]

Love and Peace Gaz. Not seen you for soddin years. hope youre well mate. Got busted in 75 outside the Casino.350 Speckly blues and a bottle of tuinal/sodis/seconal. But did I learn?

[@suzyqualcast6269]

+GasMaskHeadhunter LIKE/D what you had in yo bottle pal: sweatin' speckle backed triple strenghthers - last time seen '79 Derby Assembly Rooms

[@GasMaskHeadhunter]

Suzy Qualcast haha I think anyone who had them remembers them. I remember the 1st time they came out. I got 1200. The lad said look theyre not like normal blues so be careful. I used to eat them by the handful. So me being me and rhinking I knew it all did 20 at Hitchin station. By the time we got to Crew I was gurning for England! Sweated buckets thast night and never spun so well in my life! Gave anyone within 20 feet a shower haha.

[@garrywilliam1459]

+GasMaskHeadhunter , You seem to know me well enough. But the username don't give me much of a hint who you are. I didn't say everything in 75 was good. But it was hell of a good time for most of it

[@GasMaskHeadhunter]

+Garry William Keen (Sam) LOL I really like keeping my ID quiet Gaz online. Had a nasty run in with some DS a couple years back the buggas. Thought I was going to meet a lad Id been talking to on a weed growing site for 7 months! But lets say I used to do swaps with you on the train from Peterboro sometimes for my blacks. But you had shorter hair then lol And yes mate I loved 75 too. One of my fave years all round. But not seen you since I was with Pete L at Stafford I dont think. So 30 years ishhhh

[@janiceward2169]

GasMaskHeadhunter hope not...😂

[@accidentaltrigger]

Beautiful song just a shame about the scratch

[@davidtaylor4822]

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[@kevinjackson6387]

That’s easy for you to say lol