Northern Soul: An Illustrated History - Exploring the Soulful Journey of a Revolutionary Music Movement

A fusion of unparalleled energy, heart-wrenching lyrics, and an infectious beat, Northern Soul stands tall as one of the most remarkable music movements of all time. This illustrated history takes you on a journey through the heydays of this cultural phenomenon that swept across the North of England in the 1960s and '70s.

The Birth of Northern Soul

In the midst of the British Mod subculture, Northern Soul emerged as a distinctive genre, mainly influenced by the African-American soul music of the 1960s. The working-class youth of Northern England found solace in the soulful tunes that resonated with their challenging lives. They flocked to clubs, like the legendary Wigan Casino, to dance the night away, creating a subculture like no other.

Northern Soul: An Illustrated History

by Victoria Cosner Love (Kindle Edition)

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	39804 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	224 pages

FREE

A Unique Dance Craze

Central to the Northern Soul movement was its passionate and energetic dancing style. Moves such as the spins, kicks, and flips became iconic, and the incredible athleticism displayed on the dance floor provided a lifeline to escape the struggles of everyday life. The dancefloor became a sanctuary, with its own unwritten rules, where individuals bonded through shared experiences and a common love for soul music.

The Soundtrack of a Generation

The soulful sounds of Northern Soul were driven by obscure records discovered in dusty basements and forgotten vinyl stores. The rarity of these records heightened their appeal, and the dedicated Northern Soul DJs became the gatekeepers of these treasured tunes. From the soulful vocals of artists like Frank Wilson and Gloria Jones to the heart-pounding rhythm sections of Detroit's finest bands, the soulful beats captivated the hearts and minds of a generation.

The Fashion & Style

Northern Soul was not just about the music and dancing; it was a complete subculture that expressed itself through fashion and style. Best known for their impeccable sense of fashion, individuals adorned themselves in sharp suits, button-down shirts, and polished footwear. The iconic patches, badges, and tailored attire became synonymous with Northern Soul's fashion identity.

The Decline and Resurgence

As the '80s rolled in, Northern Soul faced a decline, with clubs shutting down and mainstream music capturing the attention of the masses. However, its spirit never died, and Northern Soul continued to thrive as a cherished subculture with a devoted following. Today, the scene experiences a powerful resurgence, with enthusiasts keeping the torch alive through all-night dance events, vinyl record collectors, and newly curious souls discovering the magic of Northern Soul.

An Enduring Legacy

The influence of Northern Soul can be felt across genres, from disco to Britpop and beyond. The dedication, passion, and unwavering love for soulful music that defined this movement inspire musicians and artists to this day. Its impact on youth culture and the empowerment it provided to the working class is simply unmatched. Northern Soul forged connections, united communities, and continues to be a source of joy and unity for those who experienced its remarkable journey.

Experience the Soulful Journey

Delve into the mesmerizing world of Northern Soul through this illustrated history. Explore the captivating stories, iconic images, and first-hand accounts from those who experienced the movement firsthand. Immerse yourself in the extraordinary music, dance, and fashion that made Northern Soul an unparalleled cultural phenomenon. This comprehensive guide will be your time machine, transporting you back to a musical revolution that shook the streets of Northern England.

Don't miss out on exploring the remarkable history of Northern Soul!

Click here to embark on a soulful journey that will captivate your senses and expand your musical horizons like never before.

Northern Soul: An Illustrated History

by Victoria Cosner Love (Kindle Edition)

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	39804 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	224 pages

FREE

The story of Northern Soul is one of practically total immersion, dedication and devotion, where the plain concept of the ‘night out’ was elevated to sacramental dimensions. Where devotees pushed their bodies, their finances and sometimes their minds to brutal and unforgiving extremes. For those who went through that involvement every test of faith or endurance was worth bearing.

- From Northern Soul: An Illustrated History.

‘It was a drugs scene, it was a clothes scene. It was about dancing. It came out of this thing. It was about pills that made you go fast. To go fast to make the scene happen.’ - Chris Brick

In the late 1960s, a form of dance music took a feverish hold on the UK, finding its heart in the north of England. The music of 1960s-70s black American soul singers combined with distinctive dance styles and plenty of amphetamines to create what became known as Northern Soul – a scene based around all night, alcohol-free club nights, arranged by the fans themselves – setting the blueprint for future club culture. Northern Soul tapped into a yearning for individual expression in northern teenagers, and exploded into a cultural phenomenon that influenced a generation of DJs, songwriters and designers for decades to come.

Acclaimed photographer and director Elaine Constantine has brought the movement to life in her film Northern Soul – and that film was the starting point for this book, Northern Soul: An Illustrated History.
However, what started out as a project largely comprising of Constantine’s stunning on-set photography, featuring her young, talented cast and highly authentic production, has turned into a unique illustrated history of Northern Soul. In its final form, the beautiful new photography holds the book together thematically, but its real depth lies in the material from the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s that Elaine and Gareth have researched and pulled together.

Of course, no book can claim to represent everything about a culture. But Northern Soul: An Illustrated History concentrates on individuals’ personal stories from that heady era, as well as being crammed full of truly atmospheric contemporaneous photography – not from press photographers, but from the kids themselves. Be it snaps of soul fans in car parks, hitching a lift or mucking around in photo booths, the combination of real people plus real (and often very dramatic) stories – not to mention the complete absence of label scans and DJ’s top tens – means that the book stands out as a very different proposition from anything yet published on Northern Soul.

We would like to think that above all, this book attempts to give you a feel for what it was really like to be there at the time.