Gethro Jones

A few quick reminders I'm sure will warm Gethro's heart. I know he takes a great interest to any reaction that the northern soul scene in the UK takes. I think in retrospect the UK northern soul community needs a figure that was well respected throughout it. There as not been a person with the experience or long history of northern soul on the scene for a long time. The last time I heard from Gethro he had made a good start to his book about the UK northern soul scene. The book will be centred around his Wigan casino years and from his own personal items he kept as memories. It goes without saying that his knowledge of Wigan casino as a member is second to nobody. I believe when it's complete and published it will get a great deal of interest from teenagers. So a lot of younger people will become interested and events will get more new faces from today's youth.

A few reminders for Geth to bring back the time into his memory. I know at times he misses the UK and the friends he has

Geth as been living in the USA for more than 10 years now. So as lost his knowledge of events and trends of the current UK scene. But he is using the knowledge of Wigan casino to write is own detailed account of the casino in it's height of 1970's success. Anybody who knew him then please feel free to contact him through the contact page as he would like anybody from the time that knew him to say hello. The book promises to be a full detailed story of Wigan casino by one of the innovators of the allnighter. People who know Gethro will vouch for his to the point way of things and will be expecting nothing to be left out. His appearance on top of the pops should be well documented the first allnighter along with a broad spectrum of the major happenings at the casino.
From a personal opinion a book detailing things in a more concise way. By a member who was prominent in almost every major thing that happened there. Was at the first allnighter to the last is without doubt overdue. Because there as not been a book published yet. That creates a true image in peoples mind of how Wigan casino felt in the early days it ran. Unless you think "this England" portrayed a true image of the allnighter which I along with many others there at the time did'nt. To feature people who could get there in less time than it took most to get to there closest train station was a joke. Try explaining it to Susie who travelled from Cardiff to get there and the same back.

Undoubtedly a night that was one of Wigan casino's best was the 2nd anniversary in 1975. The casino was packed full and Tommy Hunt gave a performance that made it all very special. It was still early in the allnighters time. Everybody there was there for onething northern soul and the immense area in the allnighter the temperature rose to unbearable high. It was a time when records no longer had a Twisted wheel or Torch label attached to them. Many of the records played where discovered by the casino's DJ's and will always be associated with Wigan casino. Listen to a short bit of the 2nd anniversary in the windows media player on the left.

    At the time of Wigan casino's vast success in the mid 1970's. Although Gethro was on every regulars tales of how they had spent there entire night with him. This was seldom the case. At Wigan casino he always liked to keep a certain level of privacy. However he would'nt ignore people as he was happy to talk and even liked the attention. But like everybody some times your tired and want some time to yourself. He was a very hard worker at the time he worked as a pipe fitter if I remember right. But his first great love was Kim 2nd was northern soul both kept a lot of his time used up. If he was'nt working he was arranging coaches to Wigan or at a soul night somewhere local. He kept a very busy schedule of events for the hours he add spare at the time he lived at 31 Wayside, Woodside, Telford. But going there without ringing him first was never a good idea unless you enjoyed pointless journeys.                                                                                                                           At the moment we have the release of a new film called Soulboy. I'm not in the habit of just dismissing it as another pointless film that does'nt touch the real dedication that existed at Wigan casino. Those that think it's rubbish I'm happy to watch them start dancing at 12.30 am Friday night and still be as active Sunday at 12 o'clock and be at work 8 am Monday morning. The large amounts of Amphetamines that we all took then did help to keep us all going. But the real drive to keep going was from in the people not the gear that was taken the 2 things combined made it possible. I'm still excited waiting for Geth's book to be completed as when it's published. The real meaning of the UK's northern soul scene will be easier to understand the reason why it remained a underground secret society.

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A book written about Wigan casino by a man like Gethro. Who went to the first allnighter at Wigan casino all the way to the last. As to be overdue instead of the inadequate accounts of Wigan casino that up to now have got to be published. I know Gethro as a good selection of items he kept as a reminder of the casino days. Most of the things will be included to illustrate chapters of the book I'm sure. The people who knew Gethro then know he is a good communicator and will give a true account of the time. The first allnighter which by a member as yet to have been given any coverage. The appearance of northern soul on top of the pops when Footsee made the charts and a group of northern soul dancers appeared on TV. The first anniversary dance competition which was won by a man from Leeds called Ceaser second was Gethro's late wife Kim third came Gethro. Who still say's the winner deserved to win. Important nights at Wigan casino will be covered fully in the book