 Pete
checks his playlist |
The
Twisted Wheel first opened its doors in 1963 and a 14 year old master
Roberts entered its hallowed halls already a veteran of the 'naughty'
Manchester club scene.
"There
was something naughty about going out in Manchester in them days
- the clubs were seedy and of course your mum and dad didn't know
you went...I was going to places like Tackies, Sloopies and the
Top of the Town but the Wheel became my favourite."
Pete
left the soul scene for a while but on his return discovered that
his beloved club had undergone several changes.
"It
had moved twice and although it was now back in its original home
on Brazenose Street it had had several owners and people hadn't
looked after it very well.It was now in the part of town known as
the gay village and actually operated as a gay club most of the
time.
I took
it over in 1999 with a music policy of playing 100% original Twisted
Wheel records.It's been a big success and although the club is only
half the size of the original it gets packed and I'm pleased to
say that when we have the 40th anniversary next month the downstairs
part of the club will be open and we'll be able to use it."
Pete
says that the Twisted Wheel embodies everything he loves about the
sixties soul scene.He wishes more young people would get into the
music and encourages them not to be put off by the older age group.
"This
music is brilliant and the atmosphere is fantastic and friendly.People
are always smart and in all these years I've never seen a fight
- not one!
I think
if teenagers knew about how it used to be at the Wheel when the
DJs were only allowed to play from the house records and had to
collect the glasses in between sets they would appreciate how far
its come...this is a great musical scene and I really want it to
survive."
The
Twisted Wheel celebrates its 40th birthday next month and Clubbing
will be doing an exclusive feature!
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Interview
with Pete Roberts
B
Music takes to the net
