Introducing Nick Marshall… I’m 53 years old and live in Penkhull, right in the heart of Stoke-on-Trent-on-Trent, with my wife, Jacqui, stepson James, and Ollie the dog. I first discovered Soul Music in the mid-60s, listening to the pirate radio stations. Two or three years on, a lad in the next class up at school had started going to the Twisted Wheel. He was going out with my best mate’s sister, and he’d play us the latest sounds he’d bought at the Wheel. They were fantastic; amazing records by groups and singers I’d never heard of before, and they sounded so exotic, and so cool. I felt part of an exclusive group who knew secrets (records, and places to hear them) that the rest of the world didn’t! Starting a Northern Soul collection… I was immediately hooked on Northern Soul (though it would be another 2 or 3 years before that term was invented) and my collection started. It’s been growing ever since, and currently contains around 10000 singles and 2000 LPs, plus a few hundred CDs. I collect all types of Soul music, but I especially like vocal groups from the 60s and 70s, so there’s no end of Impressions, Temptations, O’Jays and the like on my shelves. DJing in the clubs Like most people with lots of records, I soon got into DJing. My first spot was at Bridgnorth Methodist Youth Club (in direct competition with Mary Fox’s much-loved Boys’ Club) in 1969. My favourite venues for DJing were at The Bear in Newcastle-under-Lyme, and the Stafford Top of the World all-nighters, both in the early 80s. It’s always nice to get requests, especially when I actually have the record with me, and I guess the old favourites are still the most requested records. It’s a rare night that I don’t get asked for “Do I love you” or “Baby hit and run”. I still do the occasional spot, but I guess I’m keener on the radio these days. Mary asked me to stand in for her on her Friday night show and, once I’d got over the terror of it all, I loved it. Mary Fox’s Northern Soul Show I’m constantly amazed at how successful Mary’s show has been, and how many people listen all over the world. The “Have your say” web page really shows how many people love their Northern, and I’m convinced that, if aliens ever make contact with the human race, it will be through “Have your say”! Continuing favourites… Favourite sounds? It changes daily, but I’ve always loved the Impressions and Curtis Mayfield. If I ever get to a desert island, I’d have to have Willie Tee “Walking up a one way street”, Invitations “What’s wrong with me Baby”, Impressions “I need you”, Esquires “Everybody’s laughing”, Artistics “Girl I need you”, Ray and Dave “Wrong, wrong, wrong” and James Barnett “Keep on talking”. |
