PUTTING THE BAR INTO BARBER

The catchy number sold three million copies with covers over the years by artists such as Frankie goes to Hollywood, Black Stone Cherry, Bone Thugs and Harmony and Bruce Springsteen, yea it also graced the film Rush Hour way back in 98, was admired by John Lennon, earned a Grammy and was admitted to the Official Rhythm & Blues Music Hall of Fame. The Man did exceptionally good!

It still amazes me this living Motown legend traded being part of doo-wop groups nestled in Detroit to the humble streets of Nottingham. The Northern Soul star must have had a culture shock with our accents and greeting of ‘Ayup me duck’ while chugging (consuming) pots of mint mushy peas and hearing tales of the ultimate outlaw Robin Hood. Back to the job at hand before I head off rambling about just how good Nottnum’ is!

The E.S event marks the anniversary of twenty years since the great man's passing and for those still unsure who he is there Is a small painting of him by French street artist Zabou alongside fellow Beeston icons Richard Beckinsale and fashion designer Paul Smith, if you take a seat on a bench outside Tesco Beeston you might just make it out. The last Northern Soul event I attended was the Daft Lads Sunday Soul Spin at the Greyhound which hosted the DJs set to perform on the tribute gig, John Poole, and Glyn Sisson.

Back in 2015 the Greyhound was taken over with fabulous dancers and was packed solid, being my first ever Northern Soul event I did wonder why there seemed to be a talc spillage on the dance floor. I bumped into a lady I knew there that said Northern Soul was a movement that broke down social barriers and became events were everyone was included, you just had to love the music. The Greyhound has long since left our music scene in Beeston however the event at The Shed looks to bring something a bit different to the place loved by a late Motown legend, on the last note and for those in attendance, ‘No Talc Allowed’ see ya on the dance floor!

This column is dedicated to John Cross.