Sue Fisher (was Raine/Robbins) 

Originally from Stoke-on-Trent, you could say I almost cut my teeth to the sounds of northern soul at the age of 11, listening to the Torch classics at Watlands Youth Club in Newcastle-under-Lyme where our DJ Dave Alcock kept us up to date with the best dittys of the moment! I remember vaguely hanging around Morris Square at the top of our road watching the scooter boys of the late sixties listening to their vinyl on the old discotrons...

By the age of 13 we had added Top Rank on a Saturday Morning and Tiffany's to our soulful agenda wearing the old levi sta-prest, loafers and crombies listening to classics like the Formations - At the Top of the Stairs, the Elgins - Heaven must have sent you, Millie Jacksons - My man is a sweet man.

There were some great clubs in Stoke with the likes of the Heavy Steam Machine, Top Rank and the Golden Torch so we had a real heavy contingent of soul fans to follow in the footsteps of.

I couldn't wait to leave school in 1974 I took my first trip to Wigan Casino where my initiation into the then secret underground world of the Northern Soul all-nighters began....with great DJ's such as Dave Evison, Richard Searling, Soul Sam, Steve Whittle, Martyn Ellis (rip), Brian Rae, Kev Roberts and the dream ended when it closed down in 1981...it was a sad day. I had made hundreds of friends from the "scene" and kept in touch with many over the years. My only regret was that I never bought any records then as they were pretty reasonable in price - unlike now. But I was a dancer I lived for those golden boards of the maple dance floor :-))

We never wanted to go home after Wigan so there were many all-dayers to attend on the Sunday including The Ritz in Manchester, Todmorden, Nottingham Palais, Birmingham Locarno etc where we would chill out or dance the day away.

If there were no all-dayers then it would be home for sunday lunch followed by an evening out at "Polyannas" downstairs with the local crew at Newcastle-under-Lyme Tiffanys with Colin Curtis and Pep from Wolverhampton at the helm...fabulous DJ's and innovative sounds from Blackpool Mecca and Wigan so we were happy :-))

At the end of the seventies, we started gong down to London with Dave Alcock to the 6t's do's at the Railway in Hampstead then to the 100 Club...and Yate. We had great times and fantastic nights courtesy of DJ's such as Ian Clarke, Tony Ellis, Ady Croasdell, Dave Greet, Budgie, Mick Smith & Dave Thorley to name but a few. There were also a few good nights at the Kings Arms Berkhamsted and Bedford Nite Spot....I remember a minute silence held there for once DJ Nev Wherry (rip).

Friday nights at the Bear in Newcastle-under-Lyme was also a local favourite 60's soul experience with DJ's Dave Alcock, Nick Marshall, Chris Savory, Dave Bell, Esher, Duncan Pollett and Johnny Beggs what a party we had.

In the 80's Top of the World all-nighters at Stafford soon became our regular saturday night venue with DJ's such as Keb Darge, Dave Alcock, Butch, Nick Marshall, Guy Hennigan & Dave Thorley. After the success of the all-dayers there it was just a natural progression. The music played became a little more mid-tempo instead of the usual wigan 100 mile an hour stompers....perhaps we were all getting a bit older, needing to slow down.....NAH!!...never!

Keele University all-nighters were also a popular venue for us throughout the 80's then being run by Neil Clowes and now run by a fellow famous stokie Butch and Mick Smith (London 6t's fame) it is still an excellent night and brings you some of the rarest and most danceable tunes around. I've always loved the Kings Hall at Stoke, it always reminds me of Wigan and I love to go when I go home these days...what an atmosphere :-))

I moved to the island in 1995 where I met my husband and settled. It was a dream to have a soul night here I am so glad it came true. I even found myself collecting a few records and daring to get behind the decks...it is a fantastic experience and gives me a feeling of great achievement...I may not be as good as the revered and worshipped DJ's of my yesteryear (who are still DJing and finding great tunes) but at least I dared :-)

I have lived the life I love and love the life I live ! Keep the Faith.

Sue XXX