Quote Originally Posted by Andy_Faber View Post
I never 'got' U2

Anyway, last night a totally different night, sampling the joys of a rock'n'roll ('proper' rock'n'roll, not this wimpy heavy metal stuff, I'm told) with the first 'alldayer' of the year. Billed as the 'Piss Up Of The Year', LOTS of Newcastle Brown (the chosen tipple of the devotees) was drunk, and the music was great, accepting the limitations of the genre. Of all the bands on the bill, there's a slim chance you'd know one, The Jets, who were a chart act in the 80's ('Love Makes he World Go Round' etc) and actually played a storming gig at the much missed Wherehouse back in the day. Not especially a fan of the music (I was there in a professional capacity), what struck me was the audience - I've been attending this event for 15 years, and those assembled have dwindled by maybe 10% per year to I'd say 400 souls now, and there's no evidence I can see that any 'new blood' is attending. The genre is slowly dying, and I hope that the critical mass of my own musical joint love, 'classic rock' doesn't go the same way
Re dwindling numbers. Similar thing at Northern Soul gigs. Not entirely sure if the total numbers are dwindling at gigs or if, as there are most weekends, there are more venues laying NS than there were back in the 60s, 70s and 80s.

New blood? There is some but not a lot. One exception is the rising scene in and around Bristol, started up by Levanna Mclean. She got into it via her Mum and now has her Mum's collection and has added more to it. She DJs and is a very good dancer and rose to prominence dancing to NS songs in various outdoor settings. Many still available on YouTube if there's anybody interested at watching an, IMO, attractive young blond dancing.

I'm no spring chicken at 70 and reach level 71 of the game of life, 4 weeks from today. Gigs are drying up and inside the next year, maybe 2, I'll be selling up the collection, decks, mixers, speakers.... and using the proceeds to get myself a 1954 MG TD. Basically because I can get way more for my gear than the family could once I've popped my clogs and they could very easily sell the car for what it's worth.