Sent by Ollie from Cleveland Ohio

As an old soulster from Loughborough, Leics It's good to see that Northern soul is alive and well. The scene has probably been the biggest influence in my life. I moved to Cleveland in 1978. I discovered Northern Soul in '76, when I was at a friends house (Robin Salter of New Groove records in Middlesborough) and heard his brother, a regular at the Cleethorpes niters playing Condition Red. I was hooked and began visiting some of the local soul clubs. From there it was the first all dayer at the Palais in Nottingham. The first record I heard was 7 Day Lover. My heroes were the DJ's Soul Sam & Richard Searling. I remember getting to the all nighters early watching the other Soulsters arrive. We must have looked quite a sight in our 40 inch baggy trousers & all night bags over our shoulders. I moved to the US in '78 & caused quite a stir at high school. I refused to confirm to the Bruce Springsteen look & continued to wear what we considered cool. Fred Perry polo shirt, 30 inch jeans or 40 inch trousers with 8 pleats at the front & layered pockets. Cut an inch short so you could see the white socks and & crossover shoes. The Americans did not understand the music I loved & when I tried to explain they could not understand a white kid being into black music. As you can imagine the comments could be very sad indeed. During my 20 years in the US I have kept in touch with the UK. I have been through various modes of soul music & now back to the music that started it all off for me. I had lost touch with the Northern Soul scene but discovered that it is still alive via the Internet. If any one out there can assist me obtaining some memorabilia please contact me at........................
Ollen2@msn.com
… Soul Long & keep the Faith.