The Northern Soul Podcast

Colin Skehan
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This Is the Northern Soul Podcast, its a journey back to the golden years of Northern Soul, featuring the rare, obscure and unforgettable sounds that filled dancefloors throughout the 1960s and 1970s. This isn't a history lesson from someone looking in from the outside—it's told by someone who lived it. I was there during the boom years of soul and dance music, working as a DJ in Manchester's clubs between 1974 and 1979, including the legendary Soul Cellar. I also owned an independent record shop .Every episode features authentic Northern Soul and Soul music from the 60s and 70s

  1. 21h ago

    Wigan Casino :The Last Dance

    Wigan Casino: The Last Dance Was Wigan Casino the club that saved Northern Soul... or the one that changed it forever? In this episode of This Is Northern Soul, we step inside the legendary Wigan Casino on its final all-nighter in 1981 before turning the clock back to discover how an old Lancashire ballroom became the spiritual home of a musical movement.We'll explore the closure of the Twisted Wheel and the Golden Torch, the vision of Russ Winstanley, the unforgettable all-nighters, the resident DJs, the dancers, the rare American soul records and the unique atmosphere that drew thousands of people from across Britain every weekend.We'll also examine the debate that still divides Northern Soul fans today. Did Wigan Casino preserve the underground spirit of the scene, or did its popularity transform it forever?Featuring the story of the legendary Three Before Eight, this is the story of a club that became far more than four walls and a dance floor. It became a place where friendships were made, memories were created and a generation found somewhere they truly belonged. Whether you were there or you're discovering Northern Soul for the very first time, this is the story of Wigan Casino – The Last Dance.

    Wigan Casino :The Last Dance

  2. 2d ago

    The Birth Of Northern Soul

    Before Wigan Casino became the most famous name in Northern Soul, there were two clubs that laid the foundations of a movement.In this episode of This Is Northern Soul, we travel back to the mid and late 1960s to explore the legendary Twisted Wheel in Manchester and the iconic Golden Torch in Stoke-on-Trent. Discover how these groundbreaking venues became the home of rare American soul records, pioneering DJs, unforgettable all-nighters and a new generation of dancers searching for the perfect beat.We'll trace the story from the Mod era and the rise of obscure imported soul singles, to the influential DJs Roger Eagle, Bob D, Keith Minshull and Colin Curtis, whose passion for rare records helped shape what we now know as Northern Soul.Featuring personal memories, fascinating history and the music that defined an era, this episode uncovers how two remarkable clubs changed British music culture forever.

    The Birth Of Northern Soul

  3. Jul 9

    Blueprint For 1960s Northern Soul

    In this episode, we rewind to the summer of 1966, tracing the roots of Northern Soul from Detroit's bustling studios to the underground energy of the Catacombs in Wolverhampton. Featuring rare cuts from Shrine Records, overlooked Motown gems from artists like Chris Clark and The Monitors, and the scene that shaped a culture, as DJs and dancers pursued the thrill of discovering the next forgotten record. Relive the sounds that defined a generation and kept the dance floors moving all night long. please follow on Spotify it really helps

    Blueprint For 1960s Northern Soul

  4. Jul 5

    My Northern Soul -A Journey For All of Us

    This week Episode ,I'm sharing my own Northern Soul story.From the unforgettable lunchtime school discos where I first heard those magical sounds, to the Sunny Coffee Bar in Ashton-under-Lyne and the legendary Birdcage nightclub, this is the journey that sparked a lifelong passion for soul music.Along the way, I'll be playing the records that shaped my life—rare, iconic and unforgettable tracks that eventually led me to become a DJ, own my own independent record shop, and spend the golden years of 1974 to 1979 behind the decks in Manchester clubs.But this episode isn't just about me.It's about all of us.Where did your Northern Soul journey begin? What was the first record that stopped you in your tracks? I'd love to hear your memories because every Northern Soul fan has a story to tell.Join me as we celebrate the music, the memories, and the friendships that make Northern Soul more than just a scene—it's a way of life. Id love to know what your Northern Soul means to You , leave your views in the comments thanks ....

    My Northern Soul -A Journey For All of Us

  5. Jul 3

    What Is Northern Soul?

    "In this episode, we ask: What is Northern Soul? Its a music and dance movement that took root in the UK in the late 1960s and early 1970s. It’s built around rare, often forgotten American soul records—mostly from the 1960s—characterized by a fast tempo, an upbeat rhythm, and a deep, emotive feel. But it wasn’t just about the sound—it was also about community: working-class youth from Northern England found a sense of belonging on the dance floors of small clubs, which spread throughout the whole of the UK and now Europe ,Australia and beyond

    What Is Northern Soul?

  6. Jul 1

    The Golden Era -Memories Of Secret Soul

    This episode journeys back to the Golden Era of Northern Soul, a time spanning the mid-1960s through the early 1970s when rare American soul records found a second life on British dancefloors. Before the music was labelled, it was simply about discovery — DJs unearthing forgotten recordings, dancers responding to rhythm and emotion, and clubs becoming the focal point of a growing underground culture. We explore the sound of the era through tracks that defined the scene, from deep soul ballads to uptempo floor-fillers, alongside reflections on two of the most important venues of the time: Manchester’s Twisted Wheel and London’s 100 Club. Alongside the music, this episode includes personal memories of stepping into that world in 1971 at The Birdcage in Ashton-under-Lyne — a vast converted Palais De Dance where soul music, dance culture and atmosphere came together in unforgettable ways. This is a celebration of the records, the clubs, and the feeling of an era before it even had a name .

    The Golden Era -Memories Of Secret Soul

  7. Jun 30

    Secret Soul Discoveries -Detroit

    Welcome to a special journey into the heart of the Detroit sound. This episode steps away from the obvious hits and shines a light on the records that lived in the shadows — the deep cuts, collector favourites, forgotten voices and Northern Soul discoveries that helped define Detroit’s musical legacy. Expect powerful performances, raw emotion and that unmistakable groove from artists including Darrell Banks, Barbara McNair, J.J. Barnes, Stanley Mitchell, These are the records that didn’t always dominate the charts but found a second life on turntables, dancefloors and in the collections of soul fans who kept the music alive. From Motown classics hiding in plain sight to independent Detroit recordings with grit and heart, this is a celebration of the city’s deeper soul story. Less of the hits. More of the feeling. Welcome to Detroit — beyond Hitsville.

    Secret Soul Discoveries -Detroit

  8. Jun 28

    Northern Secret Soul : The Lost Tracks

    September 1981. The doors closed on Wigan Casino and many believed Northern Soul had reached the end of the road.The headlines faded. The cameras disappeared. In The 1990s The great all-nighters became memories.But something unexpected happened.Away from the spotlight, in smaller clubs, record boxes and late-night dancefloors, a new chapter quietly began.Tonight we explore the lost years and the lost tracks — forgotten soul records, overlooked dancers and rare discoveries that never became overplayed but helped reignite the scene. These were the records that carried the spirit forward when many thought it had gone for good.From underground favourites to rediscovered classics, this is the story of how Northern Soul found its way back.Keep the faith. The next great record may still be waiting to be found. Please follow the show on Spotify

    Northern Secret Soul : The Lost Tracks
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About

This Is the Northern Soul Podcast, its a journey back to the golden years of Northern Soul, featuring the rare, obscure and unforgettable sounds that filled dancefloors throughout the 1960s and 1970s. This isn't a history lesson from someone looking in from the outside—it's told by someone who lived it. I was there during the boom years of soul and dance music, working as a DJ in Manchester's clubs between 1974 and 1979, including the legendary Soul Cellar. I also owned an independent record shop .Every episode features authentic Northern Soul and Soul music from the 60s and 70s

Information

  • Creator
    Colin Skehan
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    58
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Colin Skehan
  • Show Website
    The Northern Soul Podcast

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