Keith Rylatt & Phil Scott - CENtral 1179 (Bee Cool)
The Twisted Wheel club in Manchester, England. Once Chris Rea wrote a song about it, and now Keith Rylatt and Phil Scott have written a book about the club. Richard Karström has read it.
The Twisted Wheel is a classic name on the northern soul scene. This book even contains the Blues & Soul article by Dave Godin about Twisted Wheel, where the term northern soul was - as legend has it - featured for the very first time. But before all that, the club was a Mod stronghold and thankfully this book covers the whole shebang.
The Twisted Wheel opened its doors as early as 1963, and for the first years the music was predominantly r'n'b. The soul records, mostly Detroit up tempo, came later. "Central 1179" has comprehensive lists of all the acts that played at the club, and also of which records that were played.
Being written by two club-goers, instead of some dj's boosting their own egos with tales of how great they were way back, we are given a good look-in at how it was to visit the club.
Besides lots of re-printed ads, photos and such there's also comparisons on the contemporary scene in London, with clubs like Flamingo and The Scene.
I have no intention of rewriting the book, so let me just advice you to hunt down a copy. All in all a very read worthy book about how it was to "be young, be foolish, be happy" up North, from 1963 until early 1971, when the all-nighters at the Twisted Wheel club was heaven on earth for many young people.
A thought that occured to me a couple of times during my reading - who will write the book(s) about our clubs and the lives we live right here, right now?
[Published 17 June 2001]
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| Frankile Russell | feb 12 2007 7:47AM |
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| HI, Just managed to get holed of a copy of central 1179 from my local library read through it and cannot believe the article by Chris Rea because he mentions me by name as been a top mod and we allowed him ton dance with us. The book really brought back the memories of visting the allnighters and comming out and going for a cup of tea at the god wagon run by the Salvation Army. Trying to get my own copy can anyone help or point me in the tight direction. | |
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| max | maj 26 2006 11:59AM |
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| i cant find this book any where do any of you wonderful guys know where to get it {centra 1179} thank you in advance john | |
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| Chris Bailey | maj 14 2006 7:30PM |
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| Hi, It should be pointed out that Chris Reas' Twisted Wheel...or 'down at the Twisted Wheel' was written in deference to the crowd of Mods n' Soul freaks from his home town of Middlesbrough who would hire a freezin' 'charabanc' and regularly journey over the Pennines in the mid '60's for the weekend All-nighters. I know I was on many of those buses!! Poor Chris, ( a pal in those days) was a tad young to be on the bus , so in '70's penned the song to immortalise his disappointment at missing out!. Anyone remember Buddy Guy-live at the Wheel? Chris Bailey | |
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| David Bowker | maj 1 2004 4:41AM |
| http://davidbooker.net | |
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| I got the book mail order in Denver Co Usa where I live . I saw Sonny Boy Williamson /Animals at Braze' St 1963,I grew up in Wilmslow , I played there at the -old and new place AND The Blackpool Wheel , backing Champion Jack Dupree , ,several times ,my bands are mentioned in the book. I counted 5. I STILL play full time Guitar/Vocals -lots of those tunes we had on SUE label -Now on ACE,on C.D. Roger Eagle was a pal of mine ,sad to hear he passed .He knew his stuff,I was a member of Ivans Meads , Big City Blues , Gin House , and Richard Kent Style I was a pal of Rod Mayall-Johns Brother, who was in the Ivans Meads with me .Great Memories the book is Fab! Screamin' Jay was here in Denver 20years ago I hung out with him -amazing .they are all leaving us and that is so sad. I try to explain to my U.S. friends what The Wheel was all about ,but it's impossible to describe what Manchester was back then and discovering those grooves ! Best to All! David Bowker .aka. "Booker" professional name. | |
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| Simon T Mallett | jan 11 2002 1:10AM |
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| Just recieved the book as a (late) Christmas present. Read it in 48 hours. This is without doubt the most flawless, faithful, exhaustive and lovingly created account I have ever had the pleasure to read about mods and soul music in England in the '60s. For those of us who were to young to experience the early days of modernism in Britain this is the book that will bring the story to life. And such great pictures too! Sadly, Richard has beaten me to penning a review (by more than six months). | |
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