The Leeds Central Soul Club History
The Leeds Central was a rocker club up until 1968, then after several pitched battles inside and outside over several weekends, the younger Mods who hung out in Lulu's coffee bar, took over. The greasers retreating over the road to the Star & Garter pub. At this time the older Mod crowd were still frequenting the BG further up Boar Lane and before that the Three Coins. The Central then became a more commercial soul/motown/reggae club which played only a smattering of uptown soul mainly new releases. It was only when the BG closed in 1970 the guys who went to the Wheel came down bringing their tunes and getting the djs to play them. They slowly infiltrated the dj list and the rest is history.
The club was hugely successful as a Northern Soul venue which lasted many years and gained a huge following with the Yorkshire Soulies and beyond. After many years the club changed hands and guises, until it fell into the hands of John Morelli , when it was renamed 'HiFi'.
In 2011, an old Central devotee had been made aware that for many, the 'Leeds Central' was still fondly remembered and and still held a place in many peoples hearts. he decided to take the bull by the horns and approach the 'HiFi' management with a plan to revive the 'Central', He went armed with the history and old photos of the club in the 60s and 70s and the 'HiFi' management were bowled over to think that their club was a huge part of the famed 'Northern Soul' scene in Yorkshire. They jumped at the chance to try a reunion event, which was a huge success, and the rest is history (again).
The 'Leeds Central Soul Club' alldayers are now staged every 2 months, and they relive the old days which include the massive tracks from that time, the original 'Leeds Central’ DJs from that time, AND in the original venue of that time, which make it the only event in the whole of the UK that still hold all those factors, The alldayers invoke over 50 years history of the club as a Northern Soul club, and the atmosphere of the 60s and 70s, always returns for these amazing events.
The 'Leeds Central' in now the longest running basement club event in the UK to be staged at the original venue.
http://northernsoul-uk.webs.com/apps/blog/