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Welcome to my series of Podcasts dedicated to the music of the Stafford All-nighters.

The Stafford all-nighters held at The Top Of The World club in Newport Road and ran under the Top Dog Soul Club banner and it’s promoters were Dave Thorley and Keith Minshull. It opened it’s doors in April 1982 and closed it’s doors on the 22nd/23rd February 1986.

To begin with it can be best described as a coming together of two legendary venues, the recently closed Wigan Casino and The Yate All-Nighters with a line consisting of and including the best DJ’s from both venues, Richard Searling, Dave Thorley, Ian Clark, Gary Rushbrooke, Ady Pountain and Dave Withers. Upstairs featured Mick Smith, Nick Marshall, Pet Widdison, Budgie and Dave Alcock.

Over the time the all-nighter ran Dj’s came and went, Adam Buchanan, Robin Salter, Soul Sam, Chris Plant, Pat Brady and of course the 60’s Mafia Keb Darge and Guy Hennigan. Many others also featured over the years in both rooms. Many many new records were introduced to the scene and the crowd were eager to lap them up and new records were continually sought by all the Dj’s and many have since gone on to be classics still played up and down the country, many records from the era are still unknown to many who missed out when they left the scene after Wigan closed, later returning in the mid 90’s.



The venue was also truly across the board featuring 60’s right up to new releases, probably the last venue where this was done on a regular basis in the same room.

Now rather than ramble on I thought I would let the music tell the story so I decided to do a series of podcasts, each about an hour long but each one will be music from one of the DJ’s, collectors and movers and shakers of the time, those who found some of the music from the time. My aim is to do at least one podcast of all the DJ’s and I am pleased to say the first three will be of the music played by Top Dog himself Dave Thorley.

I did wonder if Dave would agree as he is one that doesn’t dwell on the past, always moving forward but he was more than happy to help, providing a list of records and sound files for some I couldn’t locate so I am grateful to Dave for this, and also to the others who have already helped me with lists of what they played back then, they probably think I’ve been a pain pestering them.

The music of the era is what I love the most it is what has shaped by beliefs, ideals and attitude to the scene as a collector and later as a DJ myself.

Now all that is left to do is download and enjoy the music.

Paul Simpson Connection - Use Me Lose Me - Rams Horn
Marlena Shaw - I Just Want This Feeling To Last - South Bay (Hot Traxx remix one spun by Dave)
Kathy McFarland - Memories - Jobete
Baiser - Summer Breeze - Polystar
Colorblind - Crazy - Capitol
Colors - Am I Gonna Be The One - First Take
O'Jays - Put Your Heads Together - PIR
David Joseph - You Can't (Hide Your Love From Me) - Island
Ze-Brazz - Feels So Good - Atlantic
Bobby Womack - Tell Me Why
Loveman Ronnie Stokes - Touch You Again - Philly Town
Vivilore Jordan - All Work And No Play - Task
Family Affair - You Can't Stop My Loving - Jobete
Glenda McCloud - No Stranger To Love - HGEI (came from Stuart Cosgrove)