Why Wiganer1 ?
To be honest I'm not sure why I chose the name really.
But it all stems around my first visit to Wigan Casino six weeks before my 16th birthday September 1981 almost 35 years ago.
100 Greatest Northern Soul Songs Wigan Casino. You had to be there, as the saying goes. That's us players bingo to say that all Casino dancers were paced at mph. Another subject northern northern the heart of Northern Soul fans is that of commercialisation. Aug 6, 2013 - Home of Northern Soul 👍. See more ideas about northern soul, wigan, northern.
Wigan Casino Northern Soul Bag. This was my personal bag from my days of attending Wigan Casino and other Northern Soul nighters and dayers around the country. You will not find many of these with anniversary and other badges knocking around. These were the last three songs to be played at the end of the Wigan Casino Allnighter.If you were there close you eyes and remember, if you were'nt just ima.
I'd been into Northern Soul since I was 14. Visiting the local youth club and other clubs where Northern Soul tunes were being played around the town. I was quickly hooked on the music.
I used to hang around Richard Jakeman and Glyn Reardon at our local school in Nuneaton. Although I was older they were more knowledgeable about the music than me .Richard had already visited the casino many times but I started to order the black echoes and regularly kept looking at the membership page for Wigan Casino, and then started collecting records.
There was just something about Wigan made my blood rush and knew it was somewhere I HAD to visit. Reading the reviews describing the atmosphere just fuelled my desire to get there.
I used to see local Soul boy Jez Smith (RIP) waiting at the Bus stop near to where I lived with his green bag filled with his casino patches to get into town to catch the train to Wigan.
And at a local Sunday Alldayer I was mesmerised by a dancer who was stomping and legs intertwining so fast. Who is that guy there Glyn? I asked. ‘Weasel' came the reply. He was truly amazing and some one I looked up to ever since.
I was totally hooked on this thing called Northern Soul and had to visit Wigan Casino.
Several weeks later came the news the Casino was closing and this was my time. At the dinner table one day after school I said to my mum ‘I'm going to Wigan Casino' pointing at the advert my Step Dad jumped in ‘You bloody well aint!' and he meant it. My heart sank and realised I would never get the opportunity to attend.
The Saturday after I was dancing to the Northern at our local club in Bucks Hill dancing to the tunes we danced to every week when I got a tap on the shoulder from a large built guy, who was called Steve Ward who said to me ‘Oh so youre into Northern then ? I said ‘yeah' . Have you ever been Wigan? I replied ‘No' . He'd seen me there several occasions and said to me I know someone who has got a ticket for the end of an era , do you want it? ‘Bloody hell yeah' came the reply .
I've never ran so quick in my life, along the road and up the hill to our house , told my mum and dad about the ticket , my dad was still adamant that I could n't go but my mum managed to persuade him that I would be 16 soon and it would be ok. Then came the matter of fact of the £5 for the ticket but thats another story!!
So September 19th it was the day and night of the End of an era , the very last night at Wigan Casino and I was going.
I boarded the train with Steve Ward and Mark Forryan to Wigan. Had my bag equipped with 24 cheese and brown sauce sandwiches, several bags of crisps and loads of bottles of pop.
Changed at Crewe, arrived at Wigan late evening . Excited was not a word strong enough how I felt and then suddenly a policeman stopped me and called me over to an office and proceeded to search my bag. ‘What are you lllookkingg for ,dddrruuugggs ?' ‘Yes son they bloody feed you on them up there!' . I took no notice as he smiled at the contents of my bag. I left shortly after and carried on our journey to the Wigan Casino.
As with many stories of their first visits to Wigan I wont bore you with the details but when I got in and looked over the balcony . Oh My God!! ‘Der dum der dum der der der (Massive universal clap from the 1000+ dancers below) I wanna feel your body with your temperature beginning to rise! My first Wigan Casino tune I heard .Eddie Holman – This will be a night to remember. How apt ? How brilliant? Little did I know that this visit would change my life forever. I'd done it I'm at Wigan Casino!!
The place was absolutely rammed, the clapping unbelievable ,the dancing,the backflips , I don't remember all the sounds on the night but the emotion was there to see from all the punters who believed they were there to share in the last Wigan Casino allniter ,ironically my first. But I didn't really take in the anger that there were more nights planned I just got carried away with a fantastic night, one I'll treasure forever.
Although I couldn't share in the emotion of those who had been there since the start. I was overwhelmed with the vibe of the place , one clap to the beat then a thousand claps. The last half an hour the three before eight , people crying ,sobbing uncontrollably I just didn't get it to be honest but savouring the fact I'd shared in the experience.
Gulfport Casinos Map If you take a closer look you will see the key position of Gulfport on the map and how it is part of the main coastal road. On the map below you will be able to locate the exact place of the casino, its address and the best way to reach it. Biloxi, MS 39530 Email Us Phone Number: (228) 436-2946. 1-800-WIN-2-WIN (1-800-946-2946) Directions from Gulfport Airport: Start going East on Airport Rd. Make a u-turn onto Airport Road. Turn right onto US-49. Merge onto I-10 E toward Biloxi/Mobile. Merge onto I-110S / MS - 15 S via exit 46A toward Biloxi/Keesler AFB. Beau Rivage Resort & Casino. Casinos, Resorts. See businesses at this location. Gulfport, MS 39503 Crescent School of Gaming & Bartending 1306 29th Ave, Gulfport, MS 39501 Shuffle Master Inc 344 Courthouse Rd, Gulfport, MS 39507 Copa Casino 777 Copa Blvd, Gulfport, MS 39501 Gulfside Casino Partnership 3206 W Beach Blvd, Gulfport, MS 39501 Island View Casino Hotel & Resort. Gulfport ms casino map.
For many it was their final visit but the extra nights that followed, It gave me opportunity to go attend another two times. I couldn't make the October 2nd All-niter but went on November 6TH and the very last night on December 4th. Although not as packed they were still brilliant and provided memories that will last forever like the following:-
Buying my first record at the record bar – Condition Red - £7. Richard Jakeman laughing at me for clapping in the wrong places to 'A little bit hurt', dancing behind Matt Male to the Seven Souls (he still dances the same), Watching people flood onto the dancefloor to ‘Benny Spellmans' – Fortune teller, trying to be clever being the first stomper in Mr Mms on the last night then having to retire a minute on because of my asthma. Buying a 50p tune from Russ record bar – Chrystal Motion – Youre my main squeeze. (still got it) Going up to Tim Ashebende with £6.50 asking him he'd take that for his £7 Tony Middleton on Grapevine when he said a firm NO! Brian Rae announcing at 5am on the last night . Heres Bobby Bland to do it for you and Shoes and the deafening clapping that followed.
Seeing the two twins in circle skirts who Ive never seen since, a large blonde lady who was doing all the hand moves like poetry in motion, Weasel s legs stomping standing out from many a dancer and also whilst watching the dancefloor from the top left balcony a majestic dancer who to this day is the most faultless dancer to grace the Northern Soul dancefloor Craig from Shrewsbury.
The last hour came upon us Dave Evison spinning his final tunes which included Betty Everitt – Getting mighty crowded and The Four Tops – I got a feeling . Then it was Russ Winstanley to finish off with a few classics Gloria Jones – Tainted Love , Yvonne Baker – You didn't say a word , Sherrys – Put your lovin arms around me and Lee Roye –Tears and then came the three before eight and the last record Frank Wilson – Do I love you , the lights came on and we had to leave.
As we were ushered out people knew it was the end and some punters were trying to take any memorabilia they could. Ripping up carpets,trying to grab the Casino signs.Then it was outside into the daylight and on the way home.
As quick as my Wigan Casino journey had started after three visits it was over !
Little did I know that my association with Wigan Casino and ensuing 35 year obsession with everything that got played there would take over my life in more ways than one.
It was February 1982 that a Nuneaton Soulie and Wigan Casino regular Paul Jameson did something that would have a major affect on me for the rest of my life. He gave to me three C90 tapes of Wigan Casino Live from the 5th Anniversary. First was Russ Winstanleys 90 minute spot , second Richard Searlings 90 spot and the other Alan Rhodes and Dave Evison.
Oh my god!! They totally blew me away , the atmosphere , the clapping , the sounds on the tapes , most I didn't know and they were good , not all good but most were fantastic . I've got to get all the records from these tapes!!!
And thats how it started.
Little did he know giving me these tapes what effect they would have on me and my future on the soul scene and the records I would collect and play as a Dj.
And a lifelong fetish and obsession with Wigan Casino began.
To be continued.........................
Mark Freeman, January 2019.
'Skiing In The Snow' is an Americansoul song which became adopted by the Northern soul subculture in the UK, written by Sandy Linzer and Denny Randell.[1][2]
| 'Skiing in the Snow' | |
|---|---|
| Single by The Beach Girls | |
| B-side | 'Goin' Places' |
| Released | February 1965 |
| Recorded | October 1964 |
| Genre | Surf music |
| Label | Dynovox Records |
| Songwriter(s) | Sandy Linzer, Denny Randell |
Originally recorded in October 1964[1] in a surf style by American group The Beach Girls (also known as The Rag Dolls), their version was released on Dynovox Records[3] in February 1965 but failed to chart.[4] The group consisted of Jean Thomas, Mickie Harris and Susan Lewis.[5]
The Invitations version[edit]
| 'Skiing in the Snow' | |
|---|---|
| Single by The Invitations | |
| B-side | 'Why Did My Baby Turn Bad' |
| Released | 1966 |
| Genre | Soul |
| Label | Dynovoice Records |
| Songwriter(s) | Sandy Linzer, Denny Randell |
The song was then re-recorded a year later by American group The Invitations in a blacksoul style, and released on Dynovoice Records (an alias of Dynovox) a year later. This version also failed to chart.[6]
The song was then forgotten and became 'rarer than a green dog',[7] according to one source 'no one had actually seen a copy or heard it', and it was only 'rumoured to exist'.[8] It is unclear whether it ever obtained any radio play at the time of its release.
In the 1970s, this song was rediscovered by Ian Levine while in Miami and became an extremely popular dance track in Northern soul clubs in England, and was subsequently re-pressed in the UK unofficially.[9] Even though the song was nominally about skiing, many of those in the clubs interpreted some of the lyrics as drug references, perhaps a reason for its popularity.[2]
Grosvenor Casino Hill Street Birmingham Poker Schedule game! A Grosvenor Casino Hill Street Birmingham Poker Schedule progressive jackpot is a casino-style jackpot which increases each time the Grosvenor Casino Hill Street Birmingham Poker Schedule game is played, if the jackpot is not won. When the progressive jackpot is won, the jackpot for the next play is reset to a Grosvenor Casino Hill. The Grosvenor Casino Birmingham has a gaming floor, restaurant, bars, and a smoking terrace, with live games of roulette, blackjack, Punto Banco, and three-card poker. They offer electronic roulette, slot machines, and an excellent 150-seat card room with a private gaming area which has played host to tour events such as the PokerPlayer. 2016 Grosvenor Birmingham Recurring Tournaments: 1 Jan - 31 Dec 2015: 2015 Grosvenor Birmingham Hill Street Recurring Tournaments: 1 Jan - 31 Dec 2014: 2014 Grosvenor Birmingham Hill Street Recurring Tournaments: 1 Jan - 31 Dec 2013: 2013 Grosvenor Casino Recurring Tournaments: 1 Jan - 31 Dec 2013: 2013 Grosvenor Birmingham Hill Street. Grosvenor casinos. Grosvenor Casino Birmingham is more than just a Casino: it's the perfect day and night leisure destination with a fantastic restaurant, amazing bar, sports & entertainment lounge, great poker, conference room and much, much more. Take a virtual tour of the club here. Discover more about the casino facilities, food and drink and more at Grosvenor Casino Hill Street, Birmingham. One amazing venue - One great night out at Grosvenor Casino Hill Street, Birmingham.
The Invitations (at the time of the song's release) consisted of Roy Jolly (lead singer), Billy Morris, Robert Rivers, and Wilson 'Gary' Gant.[10] The group also recorded 'What's Wrong With Me Baby', 'Written On The Wall', and 'Hallelujah',[4] none of which were successful, however 'What's Wrong With Me Baby' did receive some radio play in the US on release[11][12] and was also used in the Northern soul subculture in the UK later on.[13]
Wigan's Ovation version[edit]
| 'Skiing in the Snow' | |
|---|---|
| Single by Wigan's Ovation | |
| B-side | 'Northern Soul Dancer' |
| Released | 1975 |
| Recorded | London, England, United Kingdom |
| Genre | Northern soul |
| Label | Spark |
| Songwriter(s) | Sandy Linzer, Denny Randell |
In an attempt to capitalise on the song's popularity in the Northern soul subculture and 'put Northern Soul on the music map for the industry',[14]Russ Winstanley met up with a pop group from Wigan called Sparkle,[15][7] who renamed themselves Wigan's Ovation and covered the song (with slightly modified lyrics) in 1975.[9]
On 20 March 1975, the band performed the song on Top of the Pops, and went on to perform on the show 13 times.[5] They appeared in baggy trousers decorated with Northern soul badges, and the performance was widely derided as 'uncool' and 'an imitation'.[9]
This recording was extremely controversial and was widely panned by those in the Northern Soul scene, who described it as a 'terrible cover version of The Invitations' classic', 'trash', 'bad for Northern Soul',[14] '[an] embarrassing novelty single',[16][17] 'crassly commercial', 'selling out',[18] 'horrible', 'even worse than Footsee',[7] 'dire', 'awful',[17] 'annoying', 'our Vietnam flashback moment', and 'a fucking travesty'.[9] 'Furious' enthusiasts were 'disgusted'[7] that their cover had been blown and particularly disliked the fact that the band's name contained the name of their town,[16][19] as for many people this performance was their first encounter with the subculture which had previously been kept underground,[14] and many in the industry see the release of this record as a pivotal moment in the decline of Northern soul (the night of the Top of the Pops airing was described as 'the night that Wigan Casino died').[9] Indeed, soon after the release of this record, attendance at the Wigan Casino rapidly increased forcing the venue to stop accepting new members,[20] many of those attending only recently becoming aware of the subculture through the television broadcast.[7]
And at a local Sunday Alldayer I was mesmerised by a dancer who was stomping and legs intertwining so fast. Who is that guy there Glyn? I asked. ‘Weasel' came the reply. He was truly amazing and some one I looked up to ever since.
I was totally hooked on this thing called Northern Soul and had to visit Wigan Casino.
Several weeks later came the news the Casino was closing and this was my time. At the dinner table one day after school I said to my mum ‘I'm going to Wigan Casino' pointing at the advert my Step Dad jumped in ‘You bloody well aint!' and he meant it. My heart sank and realised I would never get the opportunity to attend.
The Saturday after I was dancing to the Northern at our local club in Bucks Hill dancing to the tunes we danced to every week when I got a tap on the shoulder from a large built guy, who was called Steve Ward who said to me ‘Oh so youre into Northern then ? I said ‘yeah' . Have you ever been Wigan? I replied ‘No' . He'd seen me there several occasions and said to me I know someone who has got a ticket for the end of an era , do you want it? ‘Bloody hell yeah' came the reply .
I've never ran so quick in my life, along the road and up the hill to our house , told my mum and dad about the ticket , my dad was still adamant that I could n't go but my mum managed to persuade him that I would be 16 soon and it would be ok. Then came the matter of fact of the £5 for the ticket but thats another story!!
So September 19th it was the day and night of the End of an era , the very last night at Wigan Casino and I was going.
I boarded the train with Steve Ward and Mark Forryan to Wigan. Had my bag equipped with 24 cheese and brown sauce sandwiches, several bags of crisps and loads of bottles of pop.
Changed at Crewe, arrived at Wigan late evening . Excited was not a word strong enough how I felt and then suddenly a policeman stopped me and called me over to an office and proceeded to search my bag. ‘What are you lllookkingg for ,dddrruuugggs ?' ‘Yes son they bloody feed you on them up there!' . I took no notice as he smiled at the contents of my bag. I left shortly after and carried on our journey to the Wigan Casino.
As with many stories of their first visits to Wigan I wont bore you with the details but when I got in and looked over the balcony . Oh My God!! ‘Der dum der dum der der der (Massive universal clap from the 1000+ dancers below) I wanna feel your body with your temperature beginning to rise! My first Wigan Casino tune I heard .Eddie Holman – This will be a night to remember. How apt ? How brilliant? Little did I know that this visit would change my life forever. I'd done it I'm at Wigan Casino!!
The place was absolutely rammed, the clapping unbelievable ,the dancing,the backflips , I don't remember all the sounds on the night but the emotion was there to see from all the punters who believed they were there to share in the last Wigan Casino allniter ,ironically my first. But I didn't really take in the anger that there were more nights planned I just got carried away with a fantastic night, one I'll treasure forever.
Although I couldn't share in the emotion of those who had been there since the start. I was overwhelmed with the vibe of the place , one clap to the beat then a thousand claps. The last half an hour the three before eight , people crying ,sobbing uncontrollably I just didn't get it to be honest but savouring the fact I'd shared in the experience.
Gulfport Casinos Map If you take a closer look you will see the key position of Gulfport on the map and how it is part of the main coastal road. On the map below you will be able to locate the exact place of the casino, its address and the best way to reach it. Biloxi, MS 39530 Email Us Phone Number: (228) 436-2946. 1-800-WIN-2-WIN (1-800-946-2946) Directions from Gulfport Airport: Start going East on Airport Rd. Make a u-turn onto Airport Road. Turn right onto US-49. Merge onto I-10 E toward Biloxi/Mobile. Merge onto I-110S / MS - 15 S via exit 46A toward Biloxi/Keesler AFB. Beau Rivage Resort & Casino. Casinos, Resorts. See businesses at this location. Gulfport, MS 39503 Crescent School of Gaming & Bartending 1306 29th Ave, Gulfport, MS 39501 Shuffle Master Inc 344 Courthouse Rd, Gulfport, MS 39507 Copa Casino 777 Copa Blvd, Gulfport, MS 39501 Gulfside Casino Partnership 3206 W Beach Blvd, Gulfport, MS 39501 Island View Casino Hotel & Resort. Gulfport ms casino map.
For many it was their final visit but the extra nights that followed, It gave me opportunity to go attend another two times. I couldn't make the October 2nd All-niter but went on November 6TH and the very last night on December 4th. Although not as packed they were still brilliant and provided memories that will last forever like the following:-
Buying my first record at the record bar – Condition Red - £7. Richard Jakeman laughing at me for clapping in the wrong places to 'A little bit hurt', dancing behind Matt Male to the Seven Souls (he still dances the same), Watching people flood onto the dancefloor to ‘Benny Spellmans' – Fortune teller, trying to be clever being the first stomper in Mr Mms on the last night then having to retire a minute on because of my asthma. Buying a 50p tune from Russ record bar – Chrystal Motion – Youre my main squeeze. (still got it) Going up to Tim Ashebende with £6.50 asking him he'd take that for his £7 Tony Middleton on Grapevine when he said a firm NO! Brian Rae announcing at 5am on the last night . Heres Bobby Bland to do it for you and Shoes and the deafening clapping that followed.
Seeing the two twins in circle skirts who Ive never seen since, a large blonde lady who was doing all the hand moves like poetry in motion, Weasel s legs stomping standing out from many a dancer and also whilst watching the dancefloor from the top left balcony a majestic dancer who to this day is the most faultless dancer to grace the Northern Soul dancefloor Craig from Shrewsbury.
The last hour came upon us Dave Evison spinning his final tunes which included Betty Everitt – Getting mighty crowded and The Four Tops – I got a feeling . Then it was Russ Winstanley to finish off with a few classics Gloria Jones – Tainted Love , Yvonne Baker – You didn't say a word , Sherrys – Put your lovin arms around me and Lee Roye –Tears and then came the three before eight and the last record Frank Wilson – Do I love you , the lights came on and we had to leave.
As we were ushered out people knew it was the end and some punters were trying to take any memorabilia they could. Ripping up carpets,trying to grab the Casino signs.Then it was outside into the daylight and on the way home.
As quick as my Wigan Casino journey had started after three visits it was over !
Little did I know that my association with Wigan Casino and ensuing 35 year obsession with everything that got played there would take over my life in more ways than one.
It was February 1982 that a Nuneaton Soulie and Wigan Casino regular Paul Jameson did something that would have a major affect on me for the rest of my life. He gave to me three C90 tapes of Wigan Casino Live from the 5th Anniversary. First was Russ Winstanleys 90 minute spot , second Richard Searlings 90 spot and the other Alan Rhodes and Dave Evison.
Oh my god!! They totally blew me away , the atmosphere , the clapping , the sounds on the tapes , most I didn't know and they were good , not all good but most were fantastic . I've got to get all the records from these tapes!!!
And thats how it started.
Little did he know giving me these tapes what effect they would have on me and my future on the soul scene and the records I would collect and play as a Dj.
And a lifelong fetish and obsession with Wigan Casino began.
To be continued.........................
Mark Freeman, January 2019.
'Skiing In The Snow' is an Americansoul song which became adopted by the Northern soul subculture in the UK, written by Sandy Linzer and Denny Randell.[1][2]
| 'Skiing in the Snow' | |
|---|---|
| Single by The Beach Girls | |
| B-side | 'Goin' Places' |
| Released | February 1965 |
| Recorded | October 1964 |
| Genre | Surf music |
| Label | Dynovox Records |
| Songwriter(s) | Sandy Linzer, Denny Randell |
Originally recorded in October 1964[1] in a surf style by American group The Beach Girls (also known as The Rag Dolls), their version was released on Dynovox Records[3] in February 1965 but failed to chart.[4] The group consisted of Jean Thomas, Mickie Harris and Susan Lewis.[5]
The Invitations version[edit]
| 'Skiing in the Snow' | |
|---|---|
| Single by The Invitations | |
| B-side | 'Why Did My Baby Turn Bad' |
| Released | 1966 |
| Genre | Soul |
| Label | Dynovoice Records |
| Songwriter(s) | Sandy Linzer, Denny Randell |
The song was then re-recorded a year later by American group The Invitations in a blacksoul style, and released on Dynovoice Records (an alias of Dynovox) a year later. This version also failed to chart.[6]
The song was then forgotten and became 'rarer than a green dog',[7] according to one source 'no one had actually seen a copy or heard it', and it was only 'rumoured to exist'.[8] It is unclear whether it ever obtained any radio play at the time of its release.
In the 1970s, this song was rediscovered by Ian Levine while in Miami and became an extremely popular dance track in Northern soul clubs in England, and was subsequently re-pressed in the UK unofficially.[9] Even though the song was nominally about skiing, many of those in the clubs interpreted some of the lyrics as drug references, perhaps a reason for its popularity.[2]
Grosvenor Casino Hill Street Birmingham Poker Schedule game! A Grosvenor Casino Hill Street Birmingham Poker Schedule progressive jackpot is a casino-style jackpot which increases each time the Grosvenor Casino Hill Street Birmingham Poker Schedule game is played, if the jackpot is not won. When the progressive jackpot is won, the jackpot for the next play is reset to a Grosvenor Casino Hill. The Grosvenor Casino Birmingham has a gaming floor, restaurant, bars, and a smoking terrace, with live games of roulette, blackjack, Punto Banco, and three-card poker. They offer electronic roulette, slot machines, and an excellent 150-seat card room with a private gaming area which has played host to tour events such as the PokerPlayer. 2016 Grosvenor Birmingham Recurring Tournaments: 1 Jan - 31 Dec 2015: 2015 Grosvenor Birmingham Hill Street Recurring Tournaments: 1 Jan - 31 Dec 2014: 2014 Grosvenor Birmingham Hill Street Recurring Tournaments: 1 Jan - 31 Dec 2013: 2013 Grosvenor Casino Recurring Tournaments: 1 Jan - 31 Dec 2013: 2013 Grosvenor Birmingham Hill Street. Grosvenor casinos. Grosvenor Casino Birmingham is more than just a Casino: it's the perfect day and night leisure destination with a fantastic restaurant, amazing bar, sports & entertainment lounge, great poker, conference room and much, much more. Take a virtual tour of the club here. Discover more about the casino facilities, food and drink and more at Grosvenor Casino Hill Street, Birmingham. One amazing venue - One great night out at Grosvenor Casino Hill Street, Birmingham.
The Invitations (at the time of the song's release) consisted of Roy Jolly (lead singer), Billy Morris, Robert Rivers, and Wilson 'Gary' Gant.[10] The group also recorded 'What's Wrong With Me Baby', 'Written On The Wall', and 'Hallelujah',[4] none of which were successful, however 'What's Wrong With Me Baby' did receive some radio play in the US on release[11][12] and was also used in the Northern soul subculture in the UK later on.[13]
Wigan's Ovation version[edit]
| 'Skiing in the Snow' | |
|---|---|
| Single by Wigan's Ovation | |
| B-side | 'Northern Soul Dancer' |
| Released | 1975 |
| Recorded | London, England, United Kingdom |
| Genre | Northern soul |
| Label | Spark |
| Songwriter(s) | Sandy Linzer, Denny Randell |
In an attempt to capitalise on the song's popularity in the Northern soul subculture and 'put Northern Soul on the music map for the industry',[14]Russ Winstanley met up with a pop group from Wigan called Sparkle,[15][7] who renamed themselves Wigan's Ovation and covered the song (with slightly modified lyrics) in 1975.[9]
On 20 March 1975, the band performed the song on Top of the Pops, and went on to perform on the show 13 times.[5] They appeared in baggy trousers decorated with Northern soul badges, and the performance was widely derided as 'uncool' and 'an imitation'.[9]
This recording was extremely controversial and was widely panned by those in the Northern Soul scene, who described it as a 'terrible cover version of The Invitations' classic', 'trash', 'bad for Northern Soul',[14] '[an] embarrassing novelty single',[16][17] 'crassly commercial', 'selling out',[18] 'horrible', 'even worse than Footsee',[7] 'dire', 'awful',[17] 'annoying', 'our Vietnam flashback moment', and 'a fucking travesty'.[9] 'Furious' enthusiasts were 'disgusted'[7] that their cover had been blown and particularly disliked the fact that the band's name contained the name of their town,[16][19] as for many people this performance was their first encounter with the subculture which had previously been kept underground,[14] and many in the industry see the release of this record as a pivotal moment in the decline of Northern soul (the night of the Top of the Pops airing was described as 'the night that Wigan Casino died').[9] Indeed, soon after the release of this record, attendance at the Wigan Casino rapidly increased forcing the venue to stop accepting new members,[20] many of those attending only recently becoming aware of the subculture through the television broadcast.[7]
Stuart Maconie described the song as 'a bland, modernised, easier to licence version of a classic Northern tune originally by US artists', and said it 'really stuck in the purists' craw even then'.[17]
Even though the recording 'horrified the purists',[14] the song entered the UK singles chart and reached a peak of number 12 on 15 March 1975, and stayed in the chart for 10 weeks.[21]
The band had later hits with 'Per-so-nal-ly' and 'Super Love', reaching 38 and 41 in the UK charts respectively, however this did not stop the band splitting up in 1976. The band then reformed in 1977 and continued performing until the suicide of their manager in 1984.[5][22]
Chart performance[edit]
| Chart (1975) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Singles Chart (BMRB) | 12 |
References[edit]
Wigan Casino Top 100 Games
- ^ abPETER., DUNBAVAN (2017). AVID'S GUIDE TO SIXTIES SONGWRITERS. [S.l.]: AUTHORHOUSE. ISBN9781524633462. OCLC986844428.
- ^ ab'Red Bull Music Academy'. daily.redbullmusicacademy.com. Retrieved 2017-09-03.
- ^'Spotlight winners of the week'. Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 1965-02-06. p. 14. ISSN0006-2510.
- ^ abJohn., Clemente (2000). Girl groups : fabulous females that rocked the world. [Place of publication not identified]: Diane Pub Co. ISBN9780756783181. OCLC947759354.
- ^ abcKnudsen, Anders (2015-12-08). 'Random Obscurities: 'Skiing In The Snow' w/ Wigan's Ovation and The Beach Girls'. FMS. Retrieved 2017-09-02.
- ^Productions, Global Dog (2006). '45 Discography for Dyno-Vox/DynoVoice Records'. www.globaldogproductions.info. Retrieved 2017-09-02.
- ^ abcdeFrank., Broughton (2006). Historia del DJ : anoche un DJ salvó mi vida (in Spanish). Brewster, Bill, López Cabrera, Beatriz, McLaren, James. Teià: Ma Non Troppo. p. 111. ISBN9788496222588. OCLC71256259.
- ^Constantine, Sweeney, Elaine, Gareth (2013). Northern Soul: An Illustrated History. Random House. p. 81. ISBN9780753549674.
- ^ abcdeStuart, Cosgrove (2016). Young soul rebels : a personal history of northern soul ([North American version] ed.). Edinburgh: Birlinn. ISBN9781846973338. OCLC949753813.
- ^'Wilson Gant'. Dac-Bag Productions. 2006. Archived from the original on 2007-02-06. Retrieved 2017-08-03.
- ^'Top R&B Jockeys' Pick-of-the-week'. Billboard. 1965-10-16. p. 59. ISSN0006-2510. Retrieved 2017-09-03.
- ^'Top R&B Jockeys' Pick-of-the-week'. Billboard. 1965-10-30. p. 59. ISSN0006-2510. Retrieved 2017-09-03.
- ^Keith., Rylatt (2001). Central 1179 : the story of Manchester's Twisted Wheel Club. Scott, Phil. London: Bee Cool Pub. ISBN9780953662630. OCLC263580427.
- ^ abcd'Northern Soul: Living for the Weekend'. Northern Soul: Living for the Weekend. 2014-07-25. 40 minutes in. BBC. BBC Four. Retrieved 2017-09-02.
'Wigan's Ovation's cover version of a rare Northern Soul song became a major top 20 chart hit in 1975. I think Wigan's Ovation's Skiing In The Snow was bad for Northern Soul. Terrible cover version of The Invitations' classic. That was when it was no longer underground. Everybody knew about it. 'I was into Bay City Rollers last year. Now I'm into Northern Soul'. You'd be speaking to work colleagues, they'd be saying, 'What are you into?', you'd say, 'Northern Soul', and they'd go, 'Oh, like Wigan's Ovation?'.. 'No! How many times do I have to explain, that's as far away as it can possibly be?'.. It horrified the purists. None of us at the venues were very happy about it, but what it did, it put Northern Soul on the music map for the industry.'
- ^'Wigan Casino'. www.northernsoultrain.co.uk. Retrieved 2017-09-02.
- ^ ab'Northern Renaissance'. Greg Wilson. 2013-11-21. Retrieved 2017-09-02.
- ^ abcStuart., Maconie (2004). Cider with roadies. London: Ebury. p. 70. ISBN9780091891152. OCLC56450411.
- ^Axel., Schildt (2006). Between Marx And Coca-cola : Youth Cultures in Changing European Societies, 1960-1980. Siegfried, Detlef. New York, NY: Berghahn Books. p. 318. ISBN9780857456854. OCLC875099006.
- ^Brown, Chris (2001). Bovver. London: Blake. ISBN9781903402177. OCLC45647868.
- ^'Manchester Music in the 1970's'. www.prideofmanchester.com. Retrieved 2017-09-03.
- ^'skiing-in-the-snow | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company'. Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2017-09-02.
- ^McClusky, Jim. 'WIGANS OVATION - HOMEPAGE'. www.angelfire.com. Retrieved 2017-09-02.
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