Northern Soul - This England

[@ogoriginalgentleman]

I watch this documentary every so often. It always makes me feel good. I grew up in the north of England and was heavily in to Northern Soul. The north could be a very grim, cold and wet place, but there was something about going to an all night club and dancing to NS that just elevated your soul. I never got rid of that feeling, or at least the desire to recapture it, and although I'm old and living in California now I try and keep the spirit alive and go dancing regularly. Keep the faith.

[@ogoriginalgentleman]

***** 5 hours of Northern Soul on a Saturday night. Perfect. Keep the faith. Peter

[@Cattletruck1]

OriginalGentleman Yep,just keep the faith, still live in the ex-pit town of Hindley, wigan cas' was my second home back in the day:)

[@ogoriginalgentleman]

Things have changed quite a bit since my Northern Soul days, but it's nice to know that the scene is still alive and well. Keep the faith.

[@dundee520]

+OriginalGentleman ktf mate

[@exbritishforcespatriotscha7723]

Happy days.life was easy then.

[@soultime654321]

This proves Northern/Rare Soul fans are a special kind of person, Wigan, Torch, Wheel, Catacombs, Blackpool Mecca etc were frequented by people who were trailblazers in Social Cohesion and Integration, people came from all over, we were and still are the BIGGEST FAMILY in the World brought together by this unique music, you instantly know a "Soulie" when you see one, where ever you go in the World you know you are always welcome at a "Soul Do" and NORTHERN SOUL lives on -KEEP THE FAITH !

[@stephenord3403]

I'm a musician and love most genres. My mate of 50 years, sadly gone was massively into Northern Soul. Not long after his laying to rest, his parents said you should have these, his whole collection of vinyl. Still miss you mate but playing your faves for the both of us. RIP pal

[@northernsoulsongs]

can i have them :)

[@stephenord3403]

@@northernsoulsongs love to mate but just to much sentimental value. Still miss my mate so much but I've got my memories 😢❤

[@qwerty5oo]

Man that brough it back, Used to travel Elgin to Aberdeen 70 mile, then Bus load of us head down to Casino 350 odd mile 10 hours later, arrive, dance all night. Remember Scotch corner was front righthandside of the stage. Then Bath or swim in the pool around the corner, then get Bus back up to Aberdeen and Home. My best memorys are with Northern Soul

[@charnockdave]

If you never went you will not understand why we loved the music and the Casino.I am now 53 years old, I went to the Casino from 73 to 76 when I moved away and I still miss it today,and still play my records every week. Keep The Faith .

[@vermilliongecko]

I'm quite new to Northern Soul (I was a toddler when this was filmed), but I've been watching loads of documentaries to find out more about it. This one really stands out, firstly, because it's contemporary, but also because it sets Northern Soul in its cultural context. It's really easy to see how exciting NS was for its followers, given that there was so little else for young people in the 1970's in industrial northern cities and towns. Boring jobs, parents content with old fashioned pastimes, and other young people listening to the cheesy pop of the day or just going to the pub. No wonder black music from America seemed so exciting and exotic, and people would travel for miles just to spend time with fellow fans and dance to great music, I can totally understand why it was the highlight of people's week.

[@andrewheywood6252]

The days when we only had three TV channels & no Internet. Music record sales were huge compared to now. Music was a bigger part of our lives.

[@northernsoulsongs]

Lol, absolutely!

[@deanboardman2342]

I wasv15 n my older sister took me to central. I was hooked I went to Wigan once in 1981 I was sixteen I'm 58 now. Did the raving in 80s and 90s some brilliant dance records but I always came back to northern. It's in my blood heart and soul.KTF

[@jackienuttall7549]

Northern people the friendliest

[@janedavies3329]

Helen in black - Queen of the backdrops @ about 7'30". Awesome... Dancing in heaven now. RIP.

[@johnsmith-bx4rn]

if you put : you'll get 7:30

[@kennethdarge6931]

Helen ? That's Eileen Conran fae Edinburgh is it not ?

[@carolmccanna9390]

The girl talking is Christine Rigby I grew up on the same estate as her in Leigh

[@stevefellows]

o my god, just copped sight of my self behind the guy spinning, Im the one with the arm bands and the mop of Ginger hair, what can I say "good times I am 56 now "fantastic memories" Steve F from Stourbridge West Midlands former Parkfield Wolverhampton. One in the eye for all the guys at Saint Thomas more school Willenhall who doubted me.

[@dundee520]

+Steve Fellows ktf mate

[@stevefellows]

Still attending northern soul events in the Midlands, Wilson Hall once a month, just outside Sturbridge. You KTF to bud

[@dundee520]

***** nice 1 steve

[@djsimonrossprice9400]

Born just a tad too late 1959 and in Bristol. Never learned about n.s till early 80s. Too late all clubs finished....

[@SP330Y]

Now you know where break dancing started, this music is so contagious and magical - Keep the faith!

[@crazyman603]

when i.m feeling down. i put a bit of northern on. chears me up 10 fold

[@deb8498]

Soul Music lifts my mood everytime..🙂 I press play as soon as I wake.. Then I know ill have a good day..🕊🍃🙂

[@TheMimifur]

it breaks my heart to watch northern soul now.

[@jillnorton2367]

really enjoyed watching this, I was an avid allnighter fan and followed the circuit, .everyone cared about each other, nice to each other, I remember a couple paying my bus fare from Bolton to Walkden, thats what happened, if you could help someone out you did. .black bombers would keep you up for days, I remember dancing in beachcomber and then going onto all dayers, lost touch with everyone now cos I live in Australia, but that was a very special time in my life.....Keep the Faith = Northern Soul

[@liamwhitcombe1237]

+wesleypresley1000 He did. But spent it on Black Bombers

[@beebandloz]

I'm 15 and my mum is 50 she only went to wigan casino a few times but loved it. I wish it was like that nowadays but all teenagers want to do now is drink. I'd love an all nighter with no beer. Those dancers on it are brill.

[@squirrell57]

Love this. Watched it loads of times.A unique phenomenon that could only have happened here in the UK.

[@liamwhitcombe1237]

The girl at 9,10 giving cigarettes away. Typical Casino behaviour. She probably didn't even know the guy. These people were salt of the earth. Give u anything then friends 4 life

[@Gazoor2004]

Saw this last when it first aired in '76??, aged 12/13, didn't remember the eloquent Mr. Withers featuring so highly, however I didn't know him until a couple of years later... incidentally, managed to get to Wigan by 14.... happy days... "There Was A Time"!!,

[@v99nda]

First shown in early December 1977.

[@mickdevlin]

I went to the Casino and worked in Wigan. What a town, just amazing people.

[@zorenofzennor]

which then lead to a lot of undiscovered records being discovered to feed the dancers appetite for something new ...yet still having that familiar soulful sound and in the process several clubs opened up in the north of england and Northern Soul became a living legend ....and whenever people would comment on a record or the scene in general the saying was and still is ....Keep the Faith ....( so it was like saying ....Keep Real Soul Music Alive ) and it became a sort of badge to wear with pride

[@mickdevlin]

The incredible Casino and the brilliant people of Wigan. Just lovely.

[@Gerri-ic9ly]

You can appreciate why the NS clubs were an escape - I used to go to Samantha's in Sheffield....

[@carolruth1]

Brings back wonderful memories of great times as a teenager, great friends , music and dance

[@e-businesscreations]

Out of my Mind - Charity Brown........... Love It, Loved It

[@fowlec80]

It seems like only yesterday to me and the music still gets me on my feet, you can't help but dance....still loving it Keep the faith :)

[@paulmcmullan8869]

Casino brilliant! All nighters plus bands saw stranglers ufo etc it was a great time to be alive!

[@ghike30]

i didn't see a single overweight person on that film. changing the subject...... a friend of mine who used to go wigan confessed in a moment of anguish to his( lovely irish) mum, "mum, I,ve been sneaking out in the middle of the night and going to wigan casino and taking drugs (amphetamine) I cant cope", reply. "now don't you worry Michael, no son of mine would do a thing like that !" i.m so glad I experienced the 70's

[@TheSoulTwins]

Hi Lankywang - yes, was there that nite too, and was totally crackin' up cos couldn't relax or dance with the lights being on! I never went back to the casino - it was full of divs and 'sightseers' and was a total misrepresentation of what wigan and the scene were all about!

[@itrmful]

The moment was the thing! Cameras, recordings were an no No! This scene was fabulous in its escape, singularly felt in a collective embrace - we were royalty in our own right for eight hours of magic we were both free and oblivious to the nonsense of the 'outside world'. Those that really 'got NS' were then and remained immortal.

[@patwhitehead9853]

I graduated from the BeachComber ( for the under 18's) to Wigan Casino. Great memories. Lived 10 minutes walk away.

[@Cattletruck1]

Pat Whitehead So did I Pat, in scholes

[@NeilWHumphrey]

i feel so young again. tons of memories on this vid. great post & thanks

[@cornishdeb]

brought tears to my eyes too. i was from cleethorpes and regularly went to the wintergardens. live in cornwall now but still love my past days at cleethorpes, love deb

[@lordgumboot]

Welcome to merry ol England. You're absolutely welcome.

[@alansenior6040]

This brings back some memories! I am on this documentary the White record box with the Okeh demos belongs to me, I still have it!! Okeh Demos included Ken Williams, Opals, Triumphs, Major Harris Later on a copy of Carol Waller demo "This Love of Mind" on USA (Chicago) is pulled out on the film. Recognise me in leather Trenchcoat getting in and then in my white jumper in the record bar with the White record box. Dave Withers (Manchester) Nev Wherry RIP, Gill Millington (Sheffield)...nice memories

[@stevesoultrain2406]

I had the best time ever in the Wigan days miss them but I've got the memories the music dancing and woman I'm from east London I used to go up there all the time well worth the travel...£2 to get in 👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻🕺

[@Claymor621]

I was a rock fan and went to festivals and stuff so this wasn't my scene but I remmbr guys I worked with in a factory would regularly go off for the whole weekend, sleeping on train stations etc. They were dedicated to their music and they and others like them made the whole thing happen, not some promoter, more power to them.

[@velocettedude]

this film is a time capsule and it is good that we can look back at how it was. this film is better than no film. i went to the casino a couple of times and the music and the dancing was great. i was never keen on the scooters though, triumph bonnevilles were allways my bag. cheers.

[@razelma]

At the time this was broadcast in the 70's i thought what had they done to our scene but watching it now it is an excellent piece of social comment...thank you for your time and trouble.

[@susanrigby4156]

Reflections of Wigan's past. Great I loved the place.I used to love dancing there.never told my mum and dad i used to say i was staying at my friends house. remember Eunice Keefe.

[@souly5413]

Thats me at 5.54, skinny guy walking in front of camera, happy days

[@IdaSputum]

The dancing styles for Northern Soul are incredible - I will ALWAYS love the tracks and the dancing. TIMELESS Slaves fight back with beautiful SOUL

[@toejamm89]

my parents were into the scene, they were skin, suede heads with the reggea thing then went northern then went disco and funk. when the acid house thing broke out i got into it ,goin to all nighters n stuff, no wonder they were so relaxed with me about the whole thing!

[@StephenReynolds-d5k]

Riger you the best dancer ever Steve manc road school great times.😊😊

[@matelot95]

A fine selection of Oxford Bags

[@jedkang1101]

Thanks for this mate good viewing, and some good tunes, it takes me back init,

[@SudneyJames]

Pure wonderment. Thank you.

[@shytalker]

This is one of the best NS Vids ever posted/// so genuine. Wigan people are so special.

[@NewZealandWild]

What a wicked doco .... those guys could dance! I've been a mod,a skin & a soulie fer yonks. Luv all this stuff ! Keep the faith.

[@muilleangearr]

Northern Soul will live forever.

[@g7vqedave2]

If I can help it's "Rosemarys Baby" by Richard Popcorn Wylie and was supposedly his tribute to the scary (well, at that time) movie of the same name.I only ever went to Wigan once sadly as it was a bit of a trek from Northampton but was a regular at Notts Palais ,as for Wigan my feet were off the floor all the way up the stairs that's how packed it was,stompers and floor packers,keep the faith! Dave.

[@marktytler516]

i love the dancing music is fantastic its a life style

[@patriot6251]

as a 15 year old going to Wigan was the ultimate time of my life straight from work off Rhyl fair back the next morning half hour to an hour late but worth every minute .

[@claudiomarchisio246]

A great piece of historical documentation. Well combined social and economical developments with cultural changes. From my POV of 2013 it is really deeeply impressive.

[@christopherhulse2041]

This documentary needs to be released on DVD.

[@tigerman445]

Brilliant..Thanx for the down load..Bravo.

[@Blackpool77]

Remember the Ritz All-Dayers of 76 ; one side the Wigan Casino lot - like the scene going backwards - the antique and vintage brigade; and on the other side the Mecca boys - the shuffler crowd -like the cutting edge of what the scene was like in 68/69/70 at the Wheel !!

[@melvyndolby8625]

Car wash/ Rose Royce, Make me feel mighty real/Sylvester, very cutting edge Soul from Levine and the Mecca !

[@NUTTYBUTTYDJ]

im the same as soultib ecept i dont have the scooter brill to see this at last thanks for posting it. Keep the faith.

[@djdeitch]

Great video on "The Holy Grail" of soul, this video brings those nights right back !!,and im in it!!!!,ktf.

[@tony1uk2000]

bringing back the memories,nice post

[@twobeautyspots]

I'm so jealous that I wasn't born early enough for the Northern Soul era. Dancing all night with your mates to brilliant music, surrounded by people who love doing it as much as you do AND without the dreaded hangover the next morning sounds like utter bliss. I'm doing some research into the Northern Soul movement & I've googled many a time the meaning of 'keep the faith' & haven't been able to find a suitable answer. Anyone there who knows the answer & wouldn't mind helping me out? Thanks!

[@Scousar]

Man that was surreal. Im 47 from Liverpool and sitting here in my house in the USA. Watching that was superb, very reminiscent of the north when I was a kid, does anyone know when that was filmed/aired? Thanks for posting it, infinitely better than anything on TV here or in UK.

[@carolmccanna9390]

Christine is still around not seen her for a while tho

[@pyrrhonian2]

my mum and dad every weekend still goin and dancing there hearts out well mainly my mum my dad into records due to being a DJ

[@riddlingrymer]

Great film. Cheers for uploading.

[@1961webby]

im a punk from 76. it wasa very similar scene in many respects. love the dancing, but the tunes!!! i can see me embarrassing myself at a Soul weekender soon. And Jay bee, if your Man U, and came down to West Ham in 75..... well we all know how that turned out. regardless, ;love the scene and cant get the music out of my head. thanks

[@davidgrahamscott]

they don't serve beer coz every bugger was on purple hearts

[@MathiasWillArt]

Incredible interesting dancing community! And no beer at all! Great! I would go every week to a place like this! But I've been born a little to latle... .

[@capitol7950]

No beer ... just Amphetamines ❤😂

[@eternalise]

I'd love to see this in a higher quality, if possible high enough to read the labels on the records. I have my guesses but I'd love to know for sure. I'm glad things like this survive. Thanks for sharing.

[@malcolmdraper44]

Me and my mates used to drive to the Casino and other northern clubs from Woking, All the local clubs were rubbish,even in Town.Always had a good time and met friends from all over england who I still see,used to be Tuesday before I came Human again,Still got all the records I bought from up there.Still Keeping the Faith.

[@matnichol]

Great documentary. My brother went to the casino in the late 70s. I was much too Young.

[@door2yourheart]

Great to see this vid again after so many years. Cant be doin with the 2nd rate folk music filler tho. "People were nice to each other", love that quote! KTF!

[@ralucagymnast]

Absolutely LOVE this documentary wish it was longer:(

[@HenryMcGuinnessGuitar]

There's more social history from Wigan on KZbin. An "Arena" series was made about George Orwell, and part 2 is named after his book "Road to Wigan Pier". It was made in 1982-3 (6 years after this one) and contains interviews with people about what life was like up there & whether Orwell's portrayal of Wigan in the 1930s was fair.

[@jcbairmaster73]

People wanted something different,a new beat,a new scene all their own,in the youth clubs and former dance halls of Northern England,fuelled by Tamla Motown,and the appreciation society,so many US bases around the UK back then,commercial radio being in its heyday.Then Dave Godin coined the phrase "Northern Soul".And the rest as they say is history,soundtrack to lives,lost nights and weekends,to love and loss,so much more than just a craze.I love it still.

[@At_the_races]

Ee burr it were grim OOp North, but we still managed to come up with some of the greatest sound ever played and we keep on doing it forty years leter on roll on Soul in the Sun. Lanzarote. 2009

[@uksoulsaver]

I grew up in a small village called coppull, maybe 4 miles away from wigan, shame im 41 now, I missed this scene on my own doorstop :(

[@crowhillian58]

You've missed this particular venue but not the Northern soul scene cos it's still going on all over the country. : )

[@uksoulsaver]

that's for sure, I ended up into Detroit techno and now back to NS id like to go to a NS gig

[@crowhillian58]

uk GAMER Google soul source events and fill yer boots......er I mean your dancing shoes. : )

[@Valizan]

Thank you very much!

[@tinobarbera9420]

had a lot really good times, at the casino in the back room!!!

[@davesmith5183]

Those were the days

[@nigelparry6371]

from Prestatyn ,I was there when this was filmed

[@psytari]

10:44 Give us any chance, we'll take it. Give us any rule, we'll break it. We're gonna make our dreams come true. Doin' it our way. Nothin's gonna turn us back now, Straight ahead and on the track now. We're gonna make our dreams come true, Doin' it our way. There is nothing we won't try, Never heard the word impossible. This time there's no stopping us. We're gonna do it.

[@AcidMod63]

Rain ---- Out Of My Mind

[@marrbill]

Turning My Heartbeat Up by the MVP's

[@GULFRAZMAJEEDseye8eyes]

some of used to eat the sniff for the cold weather instead of sticking it up the nose used to break it up and swallow it just to stay awake all nighters

[@razelma]

i went that night too,had my one and only date with "pondies" lol i was also captured on film spaced out sitting next to a table full of empty coke bottles!

[@spiritladysoul]

omg. did we ever look that youg. thanks for posting to me bob

[@1961webby]

im a punk from London '76, and the scenes are very similar. love the dancing, but the tunes!!!!!!!! im probably gonna embarrass myself at a Soul weekender soon. and jaybee if your Man U and came down to West Ham in '75..........well we all know how that turned out. That aside, love this stuff,

[@wheatabeat]

Yeah, "What" by Judy Street. I DJ at an indie disco in Manchester but can always drop something like that in and still the place goes radio rental!

[@GlosTV175]

Quality that, son. You keep on reaching back to the music of my youth and accuse me of living in the past - hilarious! I'm glad that you enjoy it, it's timeless endurance is there for all to embrace, but you clearly have absolutely no idea of what the 'mingo crowd was like, so god knows how you reach your rather silly conclusions - certainly not based on any personal experience is it? LOL

[@Agnethatheredhairkid]

I saw this when it originally aired in 1977. I got into Northern Soul in 6th Form.

[@MeccaTony]

Mecca to Wigan to Ritz - I miss my once wonderful life.

[@bencolemanart]

Any chance we might get this in higher quality one day?

[@Jungleloyalscouse]

This is Great they should bring this back to Wigan bring back the soul groups it would get more and more young girls and boys into performing the dances I know most young people still like Motown Music, come on Wigan Council bring back a new Casino

[@animalunaris]

Would be interesting to see a follow up- a where are they now? Wouldn't it?

[@loftymajorca]

let´s be honest,we used to go there and get absolutely blasted,danced our t--- off and had the best times of our lives, probably

[@HenryMcGuinnessGuitar]

Incidentally, Dominic Sandbrook mentions this programme in his marvellous book on the 70s "Seasons in the sun"

[@TheSoulTwins]

Totally agree brijsax. I was actually there the night they first let the cameras into the casino and never went back. It was the beginning of the end for me and many other 'real' soulies...