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Twisted Wheel Club

The Twisted Wheel Club was a pioneering and in , , that operated from January 1963 to early 1971 and is widely recognized as the birthplace of the subculture. Opened by brothers Jack, Phillip, and Abadi in the premises of the former Left Wing coffee bar on Brazenose Street, it initially focused on , rock 'n' roll, and live performances by acts such as John Mayall's Bluesbreakers featuring . In September 1965, the club relocated to a larger space at 6 Whitworth Street, where it hosted its reopening with and evolved into a hub for imported American soul records from labels in , New Orleans, and , emphasizing uptempo tracks suitable for energetic dancing. Under the influence of resident DJs like Roger Eagle, who programmed the club's early all-nighters from 1963 onward, and later figures such as Brian "45" Phillips and Bob Dee, the Twisted Wheel introduced a distinctive format of extended dance sessions—often lasting from Saturday evening into Sunday morning—without alcohol sales, relying instead on coffee and the infectious energy of the music. This approach attracted a dedicated crowd of young dancers and helped popularize rare, high-energy soul singles that became staples of the emerging scene, a term coined by music journalist in 1970 to describe the passionate, regional embrace of overlooked and independent label recordings. The venue also featured live appearances by soul legends including Ike and , Edwin , and , further cementing its status as a cultural landmark in British music history. The club's closure in 1971 stemmed from a Manchester bylaw limiting operating hours for unlicensed venues, ending an era but leaving a profound legacy that influenced subsequent hotspots like the . Today, it is remembered for fostering a vibrant, inclusive centered on , rare vinyl, and unadulterated musical passion, with compilations of its era's sounds continuing to evoke the intensity of those all-night sessions.

Origins and Early Years

Founding and Initial Setup

The Twisted Wheel Club was established on January 27, 1963 by brothers Jack, Phillip, and Ivor Abadi as a modest bar and located on Brazennose Street in Manchester's city center. The venue operated from the basement of a former coffee bar known as the Left Wing, featuring simple decor with brick walls painted in black, white, and red stripes, and adorned with various wheel motifs including cartwheels, wheels, and a sourced from . The club's initial business model emphasized affordability and accessibility for a young, working-class audience seeking alternatives to traditional pubs, with no served and a focus on non-alcoholic beverages like coffee. Entry was priced at around two shillings, while membership cost ten shillings and required a 24-hour waiting period to join, helping to foster a controlled, friendly environment for dancers aged primarily 16 to 22. The name "Twisted Wheel" derived from the wheel-themed decor, reflecting the founders' interest in and evoking a sense of motion and energy suited to the dance-focused space. Operationally, the club opened Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings from 7:30 p.m. until midnight, with weekend sessions extending later into the morning to accommodate all-night dancing. The basic setup included a small stage for live acts and a record player for , accommodating multiple rooms for socializing and dancing in a cavernous underground setting. This foundational structure laid the groundwork for the venue's evolution, particularly with the arrival of DJ Roger Eagle, who began shifting the programming toward .

Early Music and Atmosphere

Upon its opening in January 1963, the Twisted Wheel Club on Brazennose Street in quickly established a distinctive musical identity under the direction of its first resident DJ, Roger Eagle, who was hired later that year by founders Ivor and Jack Abadi. Eagle, approached at a local coffee bar for his expertise in , introduced a repertoire centered on American R&B, rock'n'roll, and early records, setting the venue apart from the British dominating other Manchester clubs at the time. This shift emphasized imported tracks from artists such as , , and , sourced through dealers who facilitated shipments from U.S. labels like Tamla and Vee-Jay, often before their official release. The club's early atmosphere was defined by its intimate, cellar-like setting in a converted , featuring walls painted black, white, and red, a small stage, and a sealed DJ booth adorned with wheels, which encouraged close dancing and a tight-knit sense of community among predominantly teenage patrons from , including areas like , , and . This underground space, with its gritty, condensation-dripping ambiance and adjacent coffee bar serving and cappuccinos, fostered an energetic, word-of-mouth-driven scene where mods and R&B enthusiasts gathered nightly, typically drawing 200-300 dedicated followers who appreciated the venue's focus on obscure imports and rhythmic grooves. Key events in the early programming included live performances by bands that blended with emerging soul influences, such as John Mayall's Bluesbreakers in 1963, which complemented Eagle's selections and helped solidify the club's reputation as a hub for authentic American sounds in a British context. These acts, alongside Eagle's curated sets of pre-soul R&B from labels like Vee-Jay, created a vibrant fusion that built loyalty among the crowd, emphasizing danceable tempos and emotional depth over the more mainstream pop offerings elsewhere.

Relocation and Expansion

Move to Whitworth Street

In early 1965, the Twisted Wheel Club was forced to vacate its original premises on Brazennose Street due to the need for a larger venue amid growing popularity. The owners, brothers Jack, Phillip, and Abadi, purchased and converted a warehouse at 6 Whitworth Street into a new space, featuring a coffee snack bar on the ground floor and basement dance areas consisting of multiple rooms to accommodate the expanding crowd. The club reopened on September 18, 1965, with the headlining the event, marking a significant upgrade from the modest Brazennose Street setup. The new facilities included a coffee on the ground floor and three rooms in the basement equipped with piped music systems, providing a more structured environment for live performances and dancing. This relocation immediately boosted attendance, drawing visitors from across , with approximately 50 percent from and the rest from areas like the , , Barrow, and . The site's central position near enhanced accessibility, facilitating an influx of patrons from surrounding towns such as and via convenient rail connections. This logistical advantage helped solidify the club's role as a regional hub for enthusiasts, building on early soul influences introduced by figures like Roger Eagle.

Introduction of All-Nighters

All-nighters had originated at the in 1963, but the relocation to the larger Whitworth Street venue in 1965 enabled their continuation and expansion to accommodate bigger crowds and more sustained events. These sessions ran from 11 PM on Saturdays to 7:30 AM on Sundays, featuring continuous DJ sets with minimal breaks to keep patrons dancing throughout the night. To sustain the high-energy atmosphere and support dancers during the marathon durations, the club provided logistical adaptations such as bacon sandwiches and coffee available on-site, alongside strict door policies that included membership checks and searches to manage crowds reaching up to 2,000 attendees. Economically, the all-nighters boosted the club's revenue significantly, with ticket prices set at 7s 6d, reflecting the premium value of the extended experience and drawing dedicated soul enthusiasts from across the region. However, this success strained relations with local authorities, who raised concerns over noise disturbances and loitering outside the venue as crowds gathered and dispersed in the early morning hours. By 1967, the all-nighters had evolved to include themed "soul spectaculars," incorporating guest DJs alongside the resident lineup to enhance the events and further establish the Twisted Wheel as a premier regional destination for aficionados.

Cultural and Musical Impact

Role in Northern Soul Movement

The Twisted Wheel Club played a pivotal role in the emergence of as a distinct subculture in late 1960s , serving as the primary venue where enthusiasts gathered to dance to rare American soul records. In 1970, music journalist coined the term "Northern Soul" to describe the passionate embrace of obscure 1960s soul tracks in , inspired by the scene at venues like the Twisted Wheel that contrasted with the more commercial sounds popular in . The club's DJs curated selections from lesser-known and labels, such as Ric-Tic and Golden World, emphasizing fast-paced, rhythm-driven songs like those by Golden Strings, which bridged mainstream hits with underground gems to create an electrifying atmosphere. Central to the Northern Soul experience at the Twisted Wheel was a music policy that prioritized high-energy playback to encourage dynamic spins on the floor. This approach fostered subcultural elements, including innovative dancing styles characterized by acrobatic moves, intricate footwork, and solo performances that demanded stamina during the club's all-nighter sessions. Fashion among attendees reflected the scene's working-class roots and influences, with wide-legged bell-bottom trousers, vest tops, and fringe-style haircuts for men, paired with practical items like bowling bags containing talcum powder to slick the floor for smoother glides. The club's emphasis on exclusivity heightened its allure, as DJs hoarded "ace" records—rare, unreleased, or hard-to-find singles that became status symbols within the community, creating a sense of insider and rarity. By bridging accessible vibes with deeper and cuts, the Twisted Wheel not only popularized these sounds but also laid the groundwork for subsequent venues like , which expanded the movement in the .

Notable DJs and Live Acts

The Twisted Wheel Club's distinctive sound was largely defined by its resident disc jockeys, who curated sets of imported , , and records that resonated with the club's and soul enthusiasts. Roger Eagle served as the primary DJ from 1963 to 1967, introducing rare soul imports from the and blending them with R&B tracks by artists such as , Ike and , and James Carr to create an energetic atmosphere that drew crowds from across . Eagle's tenure laid the foundation for the club's reputation as a hub for authentic , but he departed in mid-1967 due to his growing discomfort with the amphetamine-fueled dancing and the audience's insistence on restrictive, high-tempo selections that limited musical variety. Following Eagle's exit, Bob Dee assumed the role of resident all-nighter DJ from 1967 to 1969, delivering high-energy sets that emphasized seamless transitions through innovative slip-cueing techniques, keeping the dance floor pulsating with continuous anthems. In the late 1960s, DJs such as Les Cokell joined the rotation, accelerating the club's evolution toward faster tempos and obscure 45s that fueled the emerging style, with Cokell playing a pivotal role in selecting rare imports that became staples of the scene. These DJs often tailored their playlists to complement live performances, ensuring a dynamic interplay between recorded and onstage energy that heightened the club's allure. The Twisted Wheel also hosted numerous live acts that bridged American soul stars and British blues performers, attracting dedicated fans during its peak years. In 1966, Eric Clapton performed with the newly formed supergroup in their debut show at the club, marking an early highlight of fusion on the Whitworth Street stage. US soul icons like & the All Stars appeared in 1967, delivering high-octane -infused sets that inspired frenzied dancing, while & Foxx brought their dynamic duo energy to the venue in 1969 with hits like "Tightrope." The club featured many live shows, including acts such as the , with DJs curating supporting sets around these bills to amplify the soulful vibe.

Decline and Closure

Police Interventions and Challenges

In the late 1960s, the Twisted Wheel Club experienced escalating raids aimed at curbing use, particularly "purple hearts" (Drinamyl tablets), which were popular among dancers to sustain energy during all-night sessions. These interventions were part of a wider effort against drug-fueled subcultures, with conducting spot checks for dilated pupils using flashlights and targeting venues like the Wheel for their association with such substances. The city council's strict enforcement of a 2:00 a.m. closing created ongoing conflicts with the club's all-nighter format, resulting in repeated license revocations and legal challenges in court as owners sought extensions to accommodate late-night crowds. Reports of , with queues stretching blocks and capacity often exceeded during peak events, alongside incidents of to nearby properties and perceptions of youth delinquency, drew heightened media attention and amplified calls for stricter oversight.

Final Years and Shutdown

By the late 1960s, escalating legal pressures from repeated police raids and concerns over drug use had significantly impacted the Twisted Wheel Club's operations, forcing a reduction in its signature all-nighters by 1970. In response, the club shifted to shorter events on Fridays and Saturdays, with attendance declining as the intense atmosphere of the extended sessions waned under regulatory scrutiny. The final all-nighter took place on January 30, 1971, marking the end of an era before the club's permanent closure on February 28, 1971, prompted by a decisive bylaw passed in 1971 that prohibited unlicensed venues from remaining open more than two hours past midnight. This regulation effectively outlawed all-nighters, rendering the club's core format untenable. The Abadi brothers, who owned and operated the venue, faced mounting economic fallout from accumulated fines for bylaw violations and unsuccessful efforts to adapt operations, ultimately leading them to cease running the under its original format. The Whitworth Street building that housed the Twisted Wheel stood as a physical reminder of its until its in 2013 to make way for new development, though the site's cultural significance endured beyond its erasure.

Legacy and Revivals

Long-Term Influence

The Twisted Wheel Club profoundly shaped the trajectory of the scene, serving as a direct inspiration for the explosion of popularity at from 1973 to 1981. After the club's closure in 1971, the movement migrated to larger venues like , which adopted and amplified the Twisted Wheel's model of all-night events featuring high-energy, rare soul records. Many tracks from the Twisted Wheel's playlists, such as uptempo and imports, became staples in Wigan's core selections, helping to define the genre's sound and communal dance culture. The club's legacy has been extensively documented in media that positions it as the birthplace of Northern Soul. The 2018 documentary Return to Legend, featuring DJs and Colin Curtis, explores the Twisted Wheel's foundational role in the scene through archival footage and interviews, crediting it with igniting the movement's rapid spread across . Similarly, books like 6 Whitworth Street: The Birthplace of by Rob McKeever detail how the club's innovative programming of obscure soul records laid the groundwork for the genre, drawing on firsthand accounts to affirm its pioneering status. Beyond , the Twisted Wheel exerted a broader influence on club and cultures by popularizing all-night communal dancing sessions fueled by amphetamines, a format that prefigured the stamina-driven events of the and 1990s scene. This emphasis on extended, immersive dancing experiences at the club helped establish the DJ as a central figure in , paving the way for 's ethos and non-stop energy. In , the Twisted Wheel is recognized as a of the city's music heritage, featured in local trails and preservation efforts that highlight its contributions to the region's vibrant club history.

Modern Recreations and Tributes

A more sustained resurgence occurred in 2000, when DJ Pete Roberts reopened the Twisted Wheel Club as a regular event series, initially at the former Whitworth Street site and Night People on Princess Street before moving to Band on the Wall in the Northern Quarter. These events featured all-vinyl sets by veteran DJs, including tributes to original figures like Les Cokell, drawing crowds eager for authentic soul and sounds. By 2022, the club had relocated to the revamped Band on the Wall, continuing monthly all-dayers that celebrate the venue's heritage. As of 2025, these monthly all-dayers persist at Band on the Wall, with events scheduled through late 2025. In recent years, tributes have included the establishment of Basement 66 at the AREA club on Sackville Street, which began hosting -themed events in 2023 as a semi-permanent homage to the original. These Sunday afternoon sessions, running from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., offer two-room setups with classic playlists and attract dedicated fans, maintaining the club's non-alcoholic, dance-focused ethos. As of 2025, events at Basement 66 continue monthly, with sessions scheduled through late 2025. Annual all-nighters at venues like Band on the Wall continue to draw hundreds of attendees, preserving the communal vibe of the pioneer scene. The 2013 demolition of the original Whitworth Street building, to make way for a , prompted a public petition in 2012 to preserve it as a cultural landmark, gathering signatures from music historians and fans highlighting its role in Northern Soul's origins. Although the structure was lost, the campaign contributed to ongoing recognition efforts, including a project initiated by the Music Archive to commemorate the site's legacy.

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