Torch & Kings Hall Stoke. Kev Roberts/ Wigan/ Edwin Starr /Northern Soul
The Torch – Stoke on Trent was The Golden Torch ballroom – Northern Soul venue in the seventies, based in Stoke on Trent.
In the sixties, Stoke on Trent was only in our heads as a place closer to Manchester hitchhiking on our way back from watching Prince Buster in Stafford.
Every Saturday there would be a convoy of mods making the trek from areas in the Midlands such as Stoke and Stafford up the M6 to the Twisted Wheel in the sixties. This may have been influential in the re-emergence of a Soul venue in a similar area.
The Torch was the first allnighter Soul venue to get going for the displaced Soulies after the closure of The Twisted Wheel in Manchester. However, it didn’t last long and closed in 1973 passing the Northern Soul allnighter baton to Wigan Casino.
The Golden Torch – Music played
As with all these Wheel spinoffs, The Torch attracted a loyal band of followers and albums of the music played there has been released.
Some of the memorable 45’s played there are on this CD:
The Golden Torch – The Northern Soul Story
1. Just Like The Weather – Chance, Nolan
2. I’ve Got Something – Sam & Kitty
3. Sliced Tomatoes – Just Brothers
4. Sweet Darlin’ – Clarke, Jimmy ‘Soul’
5. Our Love – Barnes, J.J.
6. Honey Bee – Johnson, Johnny
7. I Can’t Get Away – Garrett, Bobby
8. I Still Love You – Superlatives
9. Crackin’ Up Over You – Hamilton, Roy
10. Love You Baby – Parker, Eddie
11. Personally – Paris, Bobby
12. One In A Million – Brown, Maxine
13. Thumb A Ride – Wright, Earl
14. I’m Standing – Lumley, Rufus
15. I Feel An Urge – Armstead, Jo
16. I Don’t Want To Cry – Gray, Pearlean & The Passengers
17. Exus Trek – Ingram, Luther
18. Keep On Keepin’ On – Porter, N.F.
19. I’m So Glad – Johnson, Herb
20. Quick Change Artist – Soul Twins
21. One Wonderful Moment – Shakers
22. Hit And Run – Shakers
23. Soul Self Satisfaction – Jackson, Earl
24. That’s Alright – Crook, Ed
25. Compared To What – Mr. Flood’s Party
26. Blowing Up My Mind – Exciters
27. Please Let Me In – Barnes, J.J.
28. I Love You Baby – Scott, Cindy
29. Queen Of The Go Go – Garvin, Rex
30. Angel Baby – Banks, Darrell