For those of you unfamiliar with the event, LEGENDS is a different format to the Midnight Hour event in March, in that it has an arena entirely dedicated to Commercial Soul Music, from the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s, as well as Northern Soul and Motown arenas. Modern Soul and R&B has not really had such a high profile at this event, however, having had our ears bent and (as we always promise to), listened to the feedback, this year will see the addition of Two Weekenders, within the LEGENDS Weekender, with the creation of a large Modern Soul Arena in the amusement arcade area.

This arena will be similar to the House of Soul, but much, much bigger and will be operated along the lines of Fish’s excellent “Without Boundaries” Marquee Events. Also, for all you R&B aficionados, Joe Dutton will be bringing his Back Beat” R&B operation from its base at the Middleton All-Nighter, to LEGENDS and we are proud to offer the opportunity to enjoy all those hot and gritty sounds in your own dedicated arena, all weekend.

Our booking team have pulled out all the stops and secured the services of The Spinners, who will be taking to the stage for the Saturday night show. With a repertoire covering the Northern, Modern and Commercial Soul scenes these polished performers must not be missed. Following the success of the complimentary Thursday night pre-event party at this weekender, we have now introduced the offer for LEGENDS. So all those people who book for the event are welcome to join us for the Free Soul Night Party on the Thursday night. All accommodation will be available from 4.00pm, on Thursday 9th October 2008, with the arenas opening at 7.00pm. This weekend’s crowd will have the opportunity to book for what promises to be one of our most memorable events to date, so take advantage and get along to Reception on Saturday morning, when the event goes on sale.

See you at Legends

MARK FLETCHER

LEGENDS, Prestatyn 10th to 13th October 2008 Joe Dutton looks forward to this Autumns’ “Can’t Miss” BACK BEAT R&B WEEKENDER

Back Beat started out life as another club running R&B All-Nighters at the much missed Sheridans in Dewsbury. Although they were run to critical acclaim, due to the strength of the resident DJ’s, (Ted Couldstone, Nashee, Hoss and Roger Banks), they were never ‘packers’ and, as the venue was winding down, the club was also reaching the end of it’s tenure. When Sheridans was finally to close, Andy McCabe of Soultown (one of the other promoters who regularly used Sheridans, and attended almost every R&B All-Nighter at the club), approached myself to run a room at his newly acquired venue, in Middleton. To differentiate between this club and its’ previous incarnation, it was renamed (although most of the original DJ line-up was retained as part of the new resident team), with the addition of Kev Drage. And so ‘Back Beat’ was born, a bunch of like-minded reprobates with a love of R&B and the more eclectic sounds which ride it’s coattails….

During the last couple of years at Middleton the club has gone from strength to strength, gaining a regular following, whilst sticking to the original plan of promoting quality R&B in a

Northern Soul arena. As a club, I feel that we are getting the mix just right, with a play list that is heavy in R&B, but also allows DJ’s to occasionally go off at tangents with diverse sounds from Big City Soul, Latin, Popcorn and the odd Funk tune. All this may sound a little serious, but there is also an emphasis on fun, with the resident DJ’s getting into the spirit of things… and some of the guest DJ’s can’t help but join in…

Now, thanks to the Midnight Hour team, we have the opportunity to promote ‘our’ music to a weekender crowd. For the first time, the Back Beat team are able to bring you a full weekender packed

with R&B and give you an extended taste of the unique atmosphere we produce at each Middleton All-Nighter. The R&B Room will commence on Friday Evening with an All-Nighter. Joining the Back Beat residents will be DJ’s who have already graced the decks at Middleton and proved to be real crowd pleasers. The Saturday Afternoon session will be an ‘R&B Club Showcase’, with clubs from throughout the UK given the opportunity to give us their take on the R&B sound. Saturday Evening will be another Back Beat All-Nighter, featuring the resident line-up, along with representatives of some of the UK’s best clubs as guests. Sunday Afternoon will feature ‘new’ to Back Beat Talent, with local and lesser heard DJ’s getting the chance to play their favourite tunes. The Sunday Evening Finale will feature several of the DJ’s from the weekend, with the now legendary double decking sessions. Whether you are a died in the wool R&B aficionado, or just fancy dipping your toes into it’s murky pool, there’s definitely going to be something going on, at Octobers’ LEGENDS Weekender, for you. All Together Now!…..Oh, We Do Like To R&B Beside The Seaside…Confirmed DJ’s

Basics: Dundee Davie and Kev Conn

Midnight Town: Merv Parnell

Shakedown: Bob Morris and Paul

(If R&B is your thing, join us, this weekend, for “The R&B Spectacular,” from 5.30pm, in Arena 3, The Queen Vic, onSaturday evening and for “The R&B Encore,” from 6.00pm, in Arena 4, Redemption, on Sunday evening).

Joe Dutton

As you steady yourself for the 2008 Midnight Hour, Northern and Modern Soul Weekender, (the seventh such gathering), let’s take the opportunity to cast our minds back five or so months to last October’s Legends of Motown and Soul event, where some of the cream of the Motown stable graced the Pontin’s stage and treated us to a memorable weekend of classic soul.

In the Commercial Soul Room on the Friday night we were treated to consummate deliveries of old school soul by two UK based stalwarts. First up was adopted Brit Richie Pitts, singing a selection of 60’s and 70’s classics. He was followed by all-round showman Jimmy James and his band The Vagabonds. A tight flowing set ensued that featured Jimmy’s classics “Now Is The Time” and “I’ll Go Where The Music Takes Me”. Both artists left the stage to rapturous applause. Saturday night’s Showcase was opened by the much travelled Bobby Taylor who arrived in Prestatyn via Beijing, China. Bobby currently resides there whilst helping the Government with the musical elements of the forthcoming Olympic Games. Resplendent in a Lilac coloured silk mandarin suit he opened the show with aplomb treating the audience to a stirring version of his big track “Oh, I’ve Been Blessed”. Next up were the Original Vandellas, with Pat Lewis on lead vocal and original members Evelyn and Rosalind providing the harmonies on their big hits, “Heatwave” ,”Jimmy Mack” and numerous others. Also returning to Prestatyn for a second visit was original Andante Louvain Demps who joined Claire and Joe of the Midnight Hour Soul Band to add some high end vocal gloss to the proceedings.

 The headline act for the show was “Damon Harris’s Tribute to The Temptations”. Damon, for those who don’t know, was an original member of The Temptations who joined the group to replace the departing Eddie Kendricks and featured on classics like “Cloud Nine” and “Papa Was A Rolling Stone”. The pitch perfect harmonies followed as the guys performed hit after hit. The set included Northern favourites like “Girl Why You Wanna Make Me Blue” and “I Want A Love I Can See”, along with chart successes like “My Girl” (which seemed to have the whole audience singing along) and “Just My Imagination”. In line with Prestatyn tradition, all the

acts returned to perform an encore together, much to the delight of

the crowd.

The Legends Weekender isn’t just about the live acts. It has the massive Northern Soul All-Nighters that you get at the February/March along with a “Commercial Soul Arena” where you can go back to your roots and re-live your favourite Club and Chart Soul hits. (Look out for some “Hard Core” Northern DJ’s spinning disco classics!)

NEW FOR 2008, Fish will be launching the “Without Boundaries” Arena with a Top Line Bill of Modern DJ’s, in a new, purpose-built arena within the amusement arcade area. Backbeat will also be joining us at the event and are taking over the “Broadside” arena to launch their very first R&B weekender. So there’s lots happening, but there’s still more to tell you. The Midnight Hour Crew have worked through the winter to secure a spectacular act for this event and I’m very pleased to tell you that The Spinners are delighted to be coming over to perform for you. We all had a great time last year, but Legends 2008 looks to be a cracker!

DAVE TIDSWELL

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