THE SOUL GUY

Rob talks to fellow DJ, Soul collector and former Rosko Radio presenter GT

Can you give us some background info on yourself?

Born in London, and it’s my Birthday on June 1st every year (unfortunately)… Parents moved me to Oxfordshire until I was around 6 then, ‘groan’ we moved to Burton on Trent, (yes the Brewery town). From here we moved to South Derbyshire and here I stayed until I married in 1977. Having had many schools, I applied this philosophy to work. Even while at school I had morning and evening ‘paper rounds, I then moved on to working on a farm every weekend and in the holidays.Even while studying and working at a Power Station serving my apprenticeship I still found time to DJ with friends in a ‘Mobile Disco’, this led at the end of the apprenticeship to pursuing a semi, then pro DJ with the then Baileys organisation. After moving to clubs in Birmingham I finally retired from the entertainment industry in 1978, only to be revived in 2002 to do a live set in front of around 800 (great night).

How did you first get into Soul music?

Most people I talk to can remember the first sound that hit them hard, for me it was the Isley Brothers, around 1966, in the school hall listening to ‘Take some time out for love’. It was like nothing I’d ever heard before. From there it was going to the local youth club listening to the Tops, Smokey, Tempts plus Stax and Atlantic; the artists I listened to at this time were to influence me for the rest of my life.

Can you remember the first record you ever bought?

Oh yes, around 1962 or ’63 I was mad for The Tornados – Telstar, this was followed up by their further releases and I was hooked into Joe Meek’s production.

Who were your influences as a DJ?

Well obviously Rosko, he played all the U.S.A. tunes before they were released in the U.K. and created such an atmosphere in his delivery that no-one could miss. Others such as Kenny Everett for pure creativity, was it Mike Raven who used to do the spot on a Sunday after the top 30 had finished?

Could you tell us about your DJ career and the clubs you’ve worked in?

DJ’ing was short lived for me in comparison to others (no names mentioned to protect the innocent), I had a decent record collection so was the obvious target for being roped in with some friends who wanted to create a ‘Mobile Disco’. This meant working most Friday and Saturday nights for Weddings, Anniversaries, Parties etc, we had a great time and due I suppose to the enthusiasm were always tipped heavily at the end of the night. From this avenue, we won the Derbyshire Youth Club ‘Mobile Disco’ of the year, this led me to meet names and faces who gave me the opportunity to DJ in clubs such as Scamps, Tiffany’s, etc. While I was doing a regular night mid-week at Baileys for the resident DJ, I was asked if I’d be prepared to take over full time (silly question); this led me on to creating one of the most popular Disco / Clubs in the Midlands 1975 / ’76. Working with groups I never thought I’d see such as Rufus Thomas, Chairmen of the Board, Trammps and so many more. However, with a change in management the nights fell from 1,200 on a Friday to 600, I left and for a time was out of work; however a good friend of mine from Baileys heard of an opening in Birmingham, yes it was a long drive but the clubs even though they were smaller had brilliant atmospheres. Here I stayed until the crowd were pushing for music that just wasn’t my ‘scene’, so I left the world of DJ’ing for good (or so I thought).

What have been your favourite Soul venues over the years?

My number one has to be the old Y.M.C.A. in Chesterfield, only run once a month, it regularly brought in people from as far as 100 miles away. The DJ’s especially Mort who ran it, created electric atmospheres and it was here I heard ‘live’ music I’d been playing in my car or on the PC, this venue also introduced me to many tracks I hadn’t heard before. Another worthy venue for me is the Kings Hall in Stoke on Trent, still going today and run by a good friend Kev Roberts who was one of the most influential DJ’s in the 1970’s for Northern Soul. The whole ambience due to a balcony on three sides, friendly DJ’s and 9 hours of non-stop Northern Soul makes this for me the perfect venue today.

Who are your favourite artists and why?

I have so many and for so many different reasons (he says trying to get out of answering straight), I suppose Berry Gordy for putting together the likes of H/D/H, Smokey and so many artists and producers, not forgetting the ‘Funk Brothers’ who were the backbone of the ‘Motown Sound’. For voices, I’d have to go for Marvin Gaye, Martha Reeves, Aretha, Curtis Mayfield, Otis Redding, oh this is so hard.
I always take my hat off to producers, these people as well as the writers create the finished article by getting the best out of the artist or group, the have the foresight to see the finished track before the drummer has warmed up.

Are there any particularly memorable live performances you’ve attended?

Well there was that Sex show in Amsterdam, sorry that wasn’t what you meant was it? Oh so many live artists that have disappointed me over the years, but many have given true reproduction of their original work. In particular the Isleys, George Benson, Edwin Starr (as I mention in my program), Gladys Knight is always marvellous, Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, Smokey… In fact I can’t think of a Motown artist who’s been a let down, we saw Kim Weston and Brenda Holloway last year – awesome!!!

In one of your Rosko Radio shows, you mentioned Wendy’s meeting with Bunny Sigler – could you tell us a little more about it?

We were invited to the ‘Blackpool Weekender’ as guests of the organiser due to Wendy and I designing his website. Prior to the Saturday night show with Gene Chandler and Bunny, a selected few were invited to a restaurant for drinks and to meet the artists. Now this was a birthday weekend for Wendy but, as it was the middle of November she had a pretty bad cold and was not really looking forward to going. The organiser was chatting with Bunny for a long while and Wendy was getting a bit bored listening to us oldies talking ‘shop’, so she went and sat opposite Bunny and started joining in their conversation, after a few minutes the host seeing Bunny was in good hands, went off to chat to others, leaving Wendy in the clutches of this smooth, sophisticated singer. Now and again, I’d look around to see if Wendy needed ‘rescuing’ but no, laughs, smiles, high fives all meant Wendy and Bunny were having a good time. Wendy has two memorable moments with Bunny, only one is repeatable here; they were talking about other styles of singing and Bunny said he had just returned from Europe after singing opera and named one, Wendy said ‘oh Verdi’, he said ‘oh you know opera’ and started singing a few lines to her…. We had to find a fan to cool her down after this.

Dennis Edwards – Johnny On The Spot (International Soulsville W/D) sold for $4,827 at auction last year – and that was only a scuffed copy. What are your views on the ever-escalating prices of Rare Soul 45s?

I get completely puzzle-plexed when hearing of the prices being sought for the 45’s these days. I suppose I shouldn’t as it shows the market is still vibrant, however I can’t see my copy of the Wombles selling for that amount…

I know you have a huge collection of sounds in digital storage – what’s the current total?

A good question, my latest list shows a little under 39,000, these are unique tracks. I know of people with approaching 60,000 - however a lot are duplicates, but if I’m ever short of a track through a damaged CD, I do have friends to ask.

What would be your all – time top five?

Oh, the impossible question raises its ugly head!!! A Top 500 would be a struggle, I would say the Jackie Wilson track played in the programme is in there, so would Ruben – You’ve Been Away, this is my favourite track to dance to (ever seen a one-legged Ostrich on speed????). A Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell track would definitely be there, but it would take me an hour to choose which one. Only two left hmm, would you mind if I come back to you in a couple of years after going through a few tracks? No, oh ok, then I’ll go for Bunny Sigler – Girl Don’t Make Me Wait and The Isley Brothers – Why When Love Is Gone, both are favourite dancers of mine. Can you come back in a year or two and I’ll try and choose 500.

What are your plans/goals for the future?

Working less hours, spending more time with my Mother, my daughter and my wife. Taking more than one week a year off, listening to Wendy as she is the most influential person in my life. Making time for hobbies, but knowing me in a years time I’ll still be working 12 – 14 hour days, only grabbing a weeks holiday and missing family and friends.

More Soul Than You Can Shake A Stick At!