I first became interested in black American music through my dad’s 78s of Paul Robeson, Fats Waller and the Ink Spots. An interest in rural blues developed throughout the early 60s and from there I found John Lee Hooker, Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf.
The need to attract girlfriends led me to soul music, as there weren’t many lookers into country blues. It was the standard Stax/Motown/Geno route that so many late 60s mods took. In 1969 I fell by chance into an “Old Soul” all-nighter and things were never the same again. I fell in love with the music that was later to be named Northern Soul by journalist Dave Godin and listened to it, collected it, talked about it and danced to it for the next ten years.

A degree in International Relations at University College, London only served to give me more time for my hobby and a job on a singles record stall on Soho’s Rupert Street market set me up as a rare record dealer for the next ten years. In 1974 I sold up my hard-won collection of UK Tamla and rare soul items to finance my first record-buying trip to the USA. The trip was a success and I made 20+ over the next dozen years.

In 1979 my favourite soul club folded and necessity caused me to start the 6Ts Rhythm ‘N’ Soul Club with friend and fellow enthusiast Randy Cozens. That club is still running today at London’s 100 Club and is the longest-running Northern Soul night ever (and the longest-running club night). A DJing career was forced upon me around this time and I have DJed all around the UK, Europe and even the USA.