If These Shirts Could Talk: The Tantalizing Tales Behind Used Clothes
Jockeying for Position: How Boxers and Briefs Got Into Men's Pants
Gloriously Grotesque 19th-Century Pipes
In the Hot Seat: Is Your Antique Windsor a Fake?
Love at First Kite: How Pizza and Pente Led to One Oklahoman's High-Flying Obsession
Blood, Sweat, and Steel: My Afternoon with the Ace of Swords
'The Great Gatsby' Still Gets Flappers Wrong
Say Ahhh: An Oral Surgeon's Quest to Reimagine the Garage-Band Guitar
Forget TV Pickers, Meet the Real Mavericks of the Antiques World
Coveting The Craziest Cat-People Collectibles
Northern Soul does not refer to a music genre per se. Rather, it is the phrase used to describe the late-1960s-though-1970s dance club and music scene in northern England. The kids at clubs like The Twisted Wheel and Wigan Casino would dance all night long (literally) to fast-paced 45s of Detroit and American soul.
Unlike most types of collectible vinyl records, the Northern Soul 45s that are generally worth the most today are not necessarily the ones by the best-known artists. Gloria Jones, Jackie Wilson, and the Imperials were all popular in the clubs, but when it comes to Northern Soul 45s, the more obscure the artist, song, and label, the better.
The reason for the focus on the lesser-known 45s is the scarcity of the discs that were played, and subsequently popularized, at these clubs. In some cases, each club had its own...
For example, according to former Wigan Casino DJ Kev Roberts, back in the day the most popular Northern Soul 45 at his club was an unreleased single by Frank Wilson called "Do I Love You (Indeed I Do)." Wilson, who worked for Berry Gordy at Motown, had recorded the song in 1965. Of the 250 or so demos that were pressed, only two are known to have survived. Yet this arcane track was a monster on the Wigan dance floor. In May of 2009, one of the copies sold at auction in England for £25,742.
Other collectible Northern Soul vinyl 45s include "Because of My Heart" by the Butlers with Frankie Beverly (Rouser); "No One Else Can Take Your Place" by the Inspirations (Breakthrough); "Lady in Green" by the Magnetics (Bonnie); "Show Stopper" by the Cashmeres (Hem); "Let Me Make You Happy" by Billy Woods (Sussex); and "Can’t Get Over These Memories" by Jon & the Weirdest (Tie).
One of the many interesting aspects of Northern Soul was the belated popularization of songs that had languished for years in the States only to find new life in Great Britain. The most illustrative example of this phenomenon was "Hey Girl Don't Bother Me," which was recorded by The Tams in 1964 and reached number 41 on the U.S. charts. Seven years later, in 1971, that same song charted at number one in the U.K. for three weeks, thanks exclusively to its popularity with Northern Soul enthusiasts and club DJs.
by 
by Interviews & Articles
Mod Began Here: The Spot Where '60s Teens Danced All Night to Northern Soul Music
Northern soul is basically American soul music that became the popular soul music of Northern England. The Twisted Wheel opened in… [more]
Secrets of the Blue Note Vault: Rediscovering Monk, Blakey, and Hancock
When I was a jazz DJ in Philadelphia, Blue Note was always my favorite label. Naturally I had a lot of jazz-musician friends, and … [more]
Your Turntable Is Not Dead: Inside Jack White’s Vinyl Record Empire
When the White Stripes got signed, Jack White created Third Man Records as an insurance policy. With the White Stripes and, later … [more]
Stephen M. H. Braitman on the British Invasion, from the Beatles to the Sex Pistols
I was a Hollywood kid. My father was a TV and radio editor in the San Fernando Valley, and he allowed me to do my first writing to… [more]
Best of the Web (“Hall of Fame”)
Vinyl Divas
Vinyl Divas pays homage to international female opera singers of the LP era. Chronicling more than 800 singers, the… [read review or visit site]
317X
Despite its mysterious title, 317X is plain and simple—an online gallery of vintage LPs, with a 1950s vintage fee… [read review or visit site]
Mybeatles.net
Jesse Barron's collection of Beatles 45s, picture sleeves, magazines, books, and memorabilia. Browse singles and al… [read review or visit site]
New Zealands 78rpm Record Site
Even more compelling than Adam Miller’s collection of 78 rpm record labels from New Zealand and Australia are hi… [read review or visit site]
Association of Vogue Picture Record Collectors
This great site, from the Association of Vogue Picture Record Collectors, offers detailed background information an… [read review or visit site]
The Remington Site
Since 1999, the Remington Site has offered classical music collectors a glimpse into Remington Records, an independ… [read review or visit site]
Clubs & Associations: Records
Discussion Forums: Records
Other Great Reference Sites: Records
Top eBay Auctions
Lenny Curtis 45 Nothing Can Help You Now End 1127 Rare Original Northern Soul Vg
Rare Northern Soul Milton Parker " Women Like It Harder" Closet
Christine Cooper "heartaches Away My Boy" Parkway Promo ~ Northern Soul 45 Hear
Betti Lou & Bobby Adams - Dr Truelove (northern Soul - Trax 45)
Rare Uk Northern Soul 45 Jackie Edwards I Feel So Bad White Island Wi3006 Listen
Rare Dot Northern Soul Arthur Alexander Keep Her Guessin / Sally Go 45 16554
George Smith "i've Had It" Turntable Promo Rare Northern Soul 45 Ex+ Hear
1966 Herbert Hunter Spar 9009 I Was Born To Love You/push Away Northern Soul Wlp
Rare Northern Soul Christine Cooper Promo Parkway 983 Heartaches Away My Boy Wlp
Rare Northern Soul Promo / Dee Dee Barnes - Do What You Wanna Do /arctic Classic
Lonzine Cannon "quit While I'm Ahead" Philips Nm- Northern Soul 45 Hear
Monster Northern Soul Passionetts Soul Burst 45 M-
The Dynells : Rare Northern Soul 45 On Atco "call On Me"
Dean Parrish Northern Soul 45rpm Musicor #1099 Listen!
Dick Jordan "i Want Her Back" Jamie Promo Northern Soul 45 Listen
Rare Northern Soul 45 The Four Pro's Just Another Girl Carla Promo
Soul Machine - You'd Better Watch Your Fox / Hang On 45 Rare Funk Soul Northern
Northern Soul 45-gene Chandler-mr.big Shot-constellation-dj-listen
El Corols 
Soulful Illusion-searching For Love/to Get Your Love-60's Northern Soul-group 45
Denna Johnson & Ricky Davis Who Me? Yeah You! Mod R&b Northern Soul *hear It*
Rare Northern Soul, Kenny Wells, It's Just A Shame, New Voice 1966,45 Rpm Ex Con
Marie Knight ~ Come On Baby. Northern Soul 45 On Okeh. Mp3
Betty O'brien/she'll Be Gone///northern Soul Holy Grail Pretty Liberty 45 Hear!
300 Vintage 1970's Northern Soul R&b Funk 45 Rpm Record Lot
The Internationals "beautiful Philosophy" D'or ~ Rare Northern Soul 45 Listen
Ronnie Savoy "big Hand, Little Hand" Philips Promo Northern Soul 45 Nm- Listen
Northern Soul 45candy And The Kisses-out In The Streets Again-scepter-listen
Willie Kendrick Change Your Ways Northern Soul Promo On Rca Mp3
Jerry Williams "if You Ask Me" Calla Promo Rare Northern Soul 45 Nm Listen
Bill Brandon Lp (prelude) 1977 Modern Northern Soul Disco Funk Original Sealed
Sam Dees "fragile Handle With Care" Atlantic -- Northern Soul 45 Nm- Hear
Northern Soul 45-john Wesley-you're Gonna Miss Me-vivid-dj-listen
Northern Soul 45 The Coasters Crazy Baby On Atco Listen
Uk Northern Soul 45 - Benny Troy - I Wanna Give You Tomorrow
Perpetual Langley Surrender (planet Uk Orig 7" 1966) Northern Soul. Mod Dancer
The Exits "you Got To Have Money" Obscure Northern Soul 45 On Gemini
Constellations "i Didn't Know How To" 45 Northern Soul Hear
Mary Moultrie "they're Trying To Tear Us Apart" King Rare Northern Soul Nm Hear
Rare Detroit Northern Soul The Precisions Drew #1001 Such Misery 7" Record Promo
Northern Soul-baby Washington-sue 114-it'll Never Be Over For Me/move On Drifter
Great Detroit Northern Soul/ Group 45 "four Voices" L@@k
Barbara Mcnair 45 Motown Promo You're Gonna Love Me Baby Rare Northern Soul 
Northern Soul 45/ King Coleman " Down In The Basement" Hear
Listen Otis Redding *shout Bamalama/fat Gal* R&b Northern Soul 45
Kool Blues Can We Try Love Again 45 Capsoul Northern Soul Vg- Original
Barbara Lewis "i Remember The Feeling" Atlantic Ex+ Northern Soul 45 Hear
Rare Northern Soul The Volumes "that Same Old Feeling" Impact #1017 Dj Promo Wlp
Dee Clark "that's My Girl" Constellation ~ Northern Soul 45 Ex+ Hear
Pages "heartaches & Pain" Rare Northern Modern Soul Original 45 Sunstruck Mp3
Northern Soul Sam Fletcher 
Uk Northern Soul 45 - Cajun Hart - Got To Find A Way
Ann Sexton 45 Seventy Seven You've Been Gone Too Long Northern Soul Listen
Bobby Adams - I Think You Want My Girl 45 Rare Northern Soul Popcorn Near Mint
**hear! New Breed R&b 45' "voodoo Men " Northern Soul Dancer Popcorn Rare**
The Showmen "our Love Will Grow" Swan - Northern Soul 45 Listen
89 Promo, Northern Soul, Rock 45 Rpm Lot. & 563 Company Sleeves. 
Northern Soul The Vel Vets - Iv,e Gotta Find Me Somebody - Floor Packer
**hear! New Breed R&b 45' "mo-jo Buford " Northern Soul Dancer Popcorn Rare **
The Determinations "bing Bong" King ~ Northern Soul 45 Ex+ Listen
Recent News: Northern Soul Records
Source: Google News
Northern culture website launched by ex-Times journalist
HoldTheFrontPage.co.uk, May 20thHelen Nugent has founded Northern Soul which highlights cultural events like theatre, literature, music, restaurants and shops across the North, although it is initially focused on Greater Manchester area. Helen used to work for The Times in London and...Read more
Northern soul in Blackburn
Lancashire Telegraph, May 17thA NIGHT at one of the most influential Northern Soul clubs will be recreated at King George's Hall, Blackburn, on Sunday afternoon. The Twisted Wheel in Manchester was an iconic destination for music lovers and for one night only it will come to Blackburn...Read more
Northern Soul night lands in Mapperley
This is Nottingham, May 16thAN EVENING of classic 60s and 70s Northern Soul music is set for the Mapperley Plains Social Club. Northern Soul is a British adaptation of American Motown music, popularised in the Mod scene of the 1960s. Expect to hear classics from Al Wilson, Dobie...Read more
The Verve Album Review: A Northern Soul - Britpopnews
Britpopnews (blog), May 14ththe-verve-a-northern-soul-album-art-47058 Written and recorded while on ecstasy, 1995?s A Northern Soul is the unrelenting rock follow-up to The Verve's hazy psychedelic A Storm in Heaven. Richard Ashcroft has a face that even a mother would say...Read more
Northern Soul site launches in Manchester
Journalism.co.uk, May 14thNorthern Soul, founded by former Times journalist Helen Nugent, launched on Thursday (9 May). It will initially focus on the Greater Manchester area with previews, reviews and features on cultural events and locations before expanding to cover most of...Read more
Bopping till they drop - soul a-go-go in resort
Blackpool Gazette, May 8thThe usual stags and hens were joined by plenty of farmers of the young variety – but the real stars of the dance floor were the older “soulies” making a welcome return to a resort which has become the spiritual home of Northern Soul revisited. Many had...Read more
Rugby World Cup 2015: Fixture list shows a lack of northern soul
The Guardian (blog), May 2ndIt is certainly a far cry from the last World Cup hosted by England in distant 1991, which did its utmost to incorporate a little northern soul. I still fondly remember my trip to picturesque Otley for the game between Italy and the United States, a...Read more
Northern Soul at the Tower
Lancashire Evening Post, April 26thThe Northern Soul and Motown Spring Saver Weekender takes place over the three days of the bank holiday. The 32-hour event includes a stellar line-up of DJs including Richard Searling, Kev Roberts, Nige Brown, Yocki, Pete Roberts, John Poole, Chris...Read more