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Samantha's. Location: Queens Road, Sheffield. Date: 1973-1977. |
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Samantha's was an upstairs venue above the Silver Blades Ice Skating Rink in
Queens Road, Sheffield. A room about three times as long as was wide, it had a
relatively small dance floor, with a bar at the far end and ample seating. As
you climbed the stairs and entered the room, the decks were on your left, readily
accessable for requests. No stage to climb up onto! Unfortunately, the decks
were so close to the dance floor that any enthusiastic "stomping" resulted in
the record jumping... 'Elusive' by Babe Ruth often caused problems! There was a second room too, the Hallam Suite (later the Mayfair Suite), that ran as an oldies room. Thanks to Andy Stacey from Barnsley for putting me right on that one. The oldies room was hosted by Howard Sorsby, aided and abetted by Billy Paul (Wigan), Paul Curzon (Doncaster), Derek Banner (Mansfield), and Rotherhams Derek Sheldon, who I am told named his daughter Sandie! Thanks to Howard who got in touch via email to fill in my rather vague memories here. |
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The "resident" DJ here was John Vincent (on the right, Keith Minshull on the
left), often ably assisted by Richard Searling, Ian Dewhurst, Twink (from Leeds),
John Manship, the occasional appearance from Colin Curtis, and later Paul Rowan and the
inimitable Soul Sam.
The music policy was notable in that Samantha's seemed not to have any preference. In fact the playlist sat squarely between all camps, and changed rapidly with the times. With no particular allegance to stompers, white acts or funky stuff, anything went. Music often ranged from out and out 100mph stormers to tracks by Earth, Wind and Fire! I believe that it is this variety and freshness that made Samantha's stand out from the bunch, and commanded a loyal following. Ask many old soulies who went to Samantha's, Wigan, the Mecca etc "What was your favourite venue?" and many will say.... Samantha's. |
| Compare these two Samantha's play lists, one from 1973 and one from 1975. |
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| It can be seen from the vast difference in musical styles that Samantha's certainly moved with the times... to sample the sounds of Samantha's, listen to live recordings in Live Venues. |