Those B-boys and DJs should look on in awe to the moves and scenes in this 1977 Granada documentary – for in the late 60’s and 70’s at places like Wigan Casino kids were getting down and dancing amazing moves (some of which are seen now as b-boy breakdancing staples) all night without alcohol and mostly no aggro – and I’m thinking pretty queer-friendly with the likes of Ian Levine DJing on the scene – hyped up on amphetamines and Northern Soul – rare-groove Motown and forgotten 60’s 7″ soul records like Gloria Jones ‘Tainted Love’ – and was a precursor of the later house and rave scenes – indeed many DJs and other music folk started in that scene (most famously Dave Ball of Soft Cell, Norman Cook, Mike Pickering, Pete Waterman, Russ Winstanley and Ian Levine). Northern Soul also had a big influence in DJing – not just in the UK but the concept of building up and breaking it down flow which came more and more important, especially in the later house and rave scenes.
As the guy describes in this video:
‘I think there’s something wrong with the world really, to get enjoyment out of life during their teens and twenties people do have to build more or less an alternative society just to enjoy th’selves because they can’t within the normal channels. They can’t go the normal Mecca/Tiffany’s circuit and enjoy it because it’s just not an enjoyable experience’
Doesn’t that describe just as much the later rave and mashup scenes just as much as punk or northern soul? Thanks to Scott Cairo for pointing me in the direction of this video.
An aside at 9:32 – John used to do that, sell Socialist Worker on the streets at that time. I had to do a doubletake 😉
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