Simon Croft:
I was mesmorized by disco and soul music ever since my mother introduced me to KTel in the early 70's ! We may laugh but playing Blue Beat 45 hits back in those days was far more enjoyable than watching "Hughies Opportunity Knocks" in black and white... I knew Steve from school and he did a wicked night at The Top House in Aveley, I remember going in there when I was 14 (!), I was a big lad in those days, and it was packed to the rafters with "funkers". By 17 I had my own Saturday DJ slot at The Top House, then helped out at The Circus Tavern, did regular slots on a Sunday at The Prince of Wales, Ockendon and then to Villa Stefano in Holborn, London where I was located for just over a year.
They were halcyon days for me because I'd grown up loving the music that I was playing, and getting paid to do it ! I also did some mobiles, but it was for a selective few that really knew what we played and there was a policy, dont request, just dance. I lost count of the numerous Jazz, Funk and Soul haunts that I hung out with friends over the years, I could name 3 dozen, but reviving The Goldmine name is the one that everyone wants to see, its so iconic.
As time moves on influences change and Japanese Jazz Funk, Bossa, Samba has become a highlight of my musical taste, they will be the main stay of my playlist whenever I play, as recently as 18th November 2016 5 Star Star Soul at The Goldmine Orsett Hall night.