This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-stoke-staffordshire-35174596
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Soul-on-Trent: 50 years since The Golden Torch opening | Soul-on-Trent: 50 years since The Golden Torch opening |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Fifty years ago, a nightclub opened which would have a short but lasting influence on the music scene. Credited with birthing the modern all-nighter, the Golden Torch's brief stint as a superclub secured its place in history. But what was behind its rise and fall? | Fifty years ago, a nightclub opened which would have a short but lasting influence on the music scene. Credited with birthing the modern all-nighter, the Golden Torch's brief stint as a superclub secured its place in history. But what was behind its rise and fall? |
A quiet terraced street in the heart of Stoke-on-Trent, it is not the most obvious place to find a nightclub. | A quiet terraced street in the heart of Stoke-on-Trent, it is not the most obvious place to find a nightclub. |
But by the early 1970s, the Golden Torch was a raucous hotspot, blaring out the latest Northern Soul hits to appreciative crowds. | But by the early 1970s, the Golden Torch was a raucous hotspot, blaring out the latest Northern Soul hits to appreciative crowds. |
"The first night the queue went round the corner. When the queue reached the chip shop [more than 200m away] you knew it was going to be busy," says Colin Curtis. | "The first night the queue went round the corner. When the queue reached the chip shop [more than 200m away] you knew it was going to be busy," says Colin Curtis. |
Updates on this and more from Stoke | |
First opened in 1965, the venue, in Tunstall, played host to the likes of Black Sabbath and T-Rex. | First opened in 1965, the venue, in Tunstall, played host to the likes of Black Sabbath and T-Rex. |
It was 1970 when Mr Curtis and fellow kingspinner (or DJ, as they are now known) Keith Minshull approached the owner of the struggling nightclub with the proposition of starting a night based on their newfound love of up-tempo soul music. | It was 1970 when Mr Curtis and fellow kingspinner (or DJ, as they are now known) Keith Minshull approached the owner of the struggling nightclub with the proposition of starting a night based on their newfound love of up-tempo soul music. |
The popularity of Northern Soul, fuelled by venues such as Manchester's Twisted Wheel, and high-profile bookings including Edwin Starr and super-group The Stylistics, quickly turned the Torch's all-nighters into the stuff of legend. | The popularity of Northern Soul, fuelled by venues such as Manchester's Twisted Wheel, and high-profile bookings including Edwin Starr and super-group The Stylistics, quickly turned the Torch's all-nighters into the stuff of legend. |
From 20:30 to 08:30 every Saturday, its kingspinners played "12 so-full soulful hours" of music for the gathered crowds - making it a "must-see" place where young people flocked to hear the latest rare seven-inch gem from the States while busting the sort of fluid dance moves the genre is famed for. | From 20:30 to 08:30 every Saturday, its kingspinners played "12 so-full soulful hours" of music for the gathered crowds - making it a "must-see" place where young people flocked to hear the latest rare seven-inch gem from the States while busting the sort of fluid dance moves the genre is famed for. |
"When the all-nighters started the whole thing became a different animal," said former owner Chris Burton. | "When the all-nighters started the whole thing became a different animal," said former owner Chris Burton. |
At the height of its popularity, the Torch attracted world-famous acts such as The Stylistics, although some of its facilities "weren't quite up to international standard they were used to", Mr Burton said. | At the height of its popularity, the Torch attracted world-famous acts such as The Stylistics, although some of its facilities "weren't quite up to international standard they were used to", Mr Burton said. |
Indeed, the group was put up at the Sneyd Arms pub in nearby Tunstall because the club's dressing rooms were considered unsuitable for the A-list talent. | Indeed, the group was put up at the Sneyd Arms pub in nearby Tunstall because the club's dressing rooms were considered unsuitable for the A-list talent. |
"I'll never forget walking them down the back of Tower Square and a small alley," Mr Burton said. | "I'll never forget walking them down the back of Tower Square and a small alley," Mr Burton said. |
"They were dressed in white and as they got closer they heard the music and could not believe the atmosphere. The crowd was just buzzing." | "They were dressed in white and as they got closer they heard the music and could not believe the atmosphere. The crowd was just buzzing." |
Another US act who flew in to headline the Hose Street venue was Soul singer Major Lance, who would only take to the stage after half a bottle of whiskey. | Another US act who flew in to headline the Hose Street venue was Soul singer Major Lance, who would only take to the stage after half a bottle of whiskey. |
He brought the dance floor to its knees with You Don't Want Me No More. On the only live album recorded at the venue, a raucous crowd can be heard cheering, clapping and even dancing. | He brought the dance floor to its knees with You Don't Want Me No More. On the only live album recorded at the venue, a raucous crowd can be heard cheering, clapping and even dancing. |
Many people who were there described it as one of the defining Northern Soul gigs. | Many people who were there described it as one of the defining Northern Soul gigs. |
Hundreds packed in, including 12-year-old Paul Rudnicki, who was snuck inside by a friend. "After that gig - I was hooked and it's simply one of the best gigs I've ever been to," he said. | Hundreds packed in, including 12-year-old Paul Rudnicki, who was snuck inside by a friend. "After that gig - I was hooked and it's simply one of the best gigs I've ever been to," he said. |
'Keep the faith' | 'Keep the faith' |
The distinctive clenched fist emblem has come to represent the Northern Soul genre for many - and it was born in Stoke-on-Trent. | The distinctive clenched fist emblem has come to represent the Northern Soul genre for many - and it was born in Stoke-on-Trent. |
Chris Burton commissioned a man in Hartshill to create a logo and there the Keep The Faith emblem was born. No-one can remember his name but recall it was inspired by the two black American athletes who raised their fists during the 1968 Mexico Olympics. | Chris Burton commissioned a man in Hartshill to create a logo and there the Keep The Faith emblem was born. No-one can remember his name but recall it was inspired by the two black American athletes who raised their fists during the 1968 Mexico Olympics. |
Thousands of badges and patches were made using the design and were originally given away, but demand was so great Mr Burton made the decision to charge 10p each. | Thousands of badges and patches were made using the design and were originally given away, but demand was so great Mr Burton made the decision to charge 10p each. |
Fans have fought to keep the logo free from trademark, successfully blocking a Manchester shop's bid to copyright the logo. | Fans have fought to keep the logo free from trademark, successfully blocking a Manchester shop's bid to copyright the logo. |
But as its flame burned brighter, the Torch's success drew critics like moths to a flame, with residents dismayed by the "mayhem" caused by the club's 12-hour openings. | But as its flame burned brighter, the Torch's success drew critics like moths to a flame, with residents dismayed by the "mayhem" caused by the club's 12-hour openings. |
After just 18 months, national newspaper headlines about drug-taking at the Torch, coupled with the local reaction, meant its licence was not renewed. | After just 18 months, national newspaper headlines about drug-taking at the Torch, coupled with the local reaction, meant its licence was not renewed. |
In a bizarre twist, Edwin Starr accompanied Mr Burton to the city council's licensing meeting in the hope of a miracle. | In a bizarre twist, Edwin Starr accompanied Mr Burton to the city council's licensing meeting in the hope of a miracle. |
Instead, Mr Burton said, he was given an ultimatum: "Unless I stopped the all-nighters they'd close it." | Instead, Mr Burton said, he was given an ultimatum: "Unless I stopped the all-nighters they'd close it." |
"My attitude in those days was, 'this club is going nowhere financially without Northern Soul'." | "My attitude in those days was, 'this club is going nowhere financially without Northern Soul'." |
Right there and then, the club closed in March 1973 - with no final goodbye. | Right there and then, the club closed in March 1973 - with no final goodbye. |
The Northern Soul torch was passed to its Lancashire neighbours - clubs including Blackpool Mecca and Wigan Casino continued for many years. | The Northern Soul torch was passed to its Lancashire neighbours - clubs including Blackpool Mecca and Wigan Casino continued for many years. |
And the kingspinners, Colin Curtis and Keith Minshull, went on to DJ in the local area before becoming part of the second-phase of the Blackpool Northern Soul club. | And the kingspinners, Colin Curtis and Keith Minshull, went on to DJ in the local area before becoming part of the second-phase of the Blackpool Northern Soul club. |
Though the Torch is no longer standing, for many, the memory of spellbinding quick-flick dance moves, live music and soulful lyrics lives on. | Though the Torch is no longer standing, for many, the memory of spellbinding quick-flick dance moves, live music and soulful lyrics lives on. |
Hear the story of the Golden Torch with BBC Radio Stoke's Richard Searling, who tells the story of Tunstall's legendary venue. | Hear the story of the Golden Torch with BBC Radio Stoke's Richard Searling, who tells the story of Tunstall's legendary venue. |
Previous version
1
Next version