I’m On My Way the story of Dean Parrish
I'M ON MY WAY
The story of one of the biggest northern soul stars Dean Parrish
Presented by Pete Mitchell to be broadcast on BBC Radio 2 8-9pm on January 12th 2008
The story of soul singer Dean Parrish is unique. For most of his career people thought he was a black American soul singer from Detroit or Chicago, I recently found out that he is a New York Italian with a powerful voice. How his thin frame and quiet demeanour can produce such a huge vocal performance, we will have to leave it to the scientists to work out. Dean quit his singing career in 1967 and astonishingly went on to play with Jimi Hendrix and Bob Marley; he even appeared in the internationally acclaimed HBO series The Sopranos. As far as Parrish was concerned his short recording career did not amount to much and he had almost forgotten about it, well it was thirty five years since he last sang. Unbeknown to him his records were more popular than they had ever been on the other side of the world. His recordings 'Tell Her', 'Determination' and the anthem 'I'm on My Way', had turned him into a northern soul star. His vinyl recordings were selling for hundreds of pounds and he has shifted in the region of a million records over the years. As all this was happening, Dean was blissfully unaware of his success, until a few years back when he was tracked down to Staten Island in New York. He was dumfounded and amazed when he finally walked out in front of 1,000 screaming fans for the first time in decades in Cleethorpes; they all knew the words to every one of his songs. Dean recently recorded a Paul Weller composition 'Left Right and Centre' with Lord Large, which was released on Acid Jazz. His very first album, a compilation of his amazing recordings called Determination, hits the shops in the New Year. His amazing story can be heard on BBC Radio 2 in January.
ONCE UPON A TIME IN WIGAN - LIVE!
An homage to the very heart of Soul....
By Mick Martin
Director Mark Babych
Musical Director Howard Gray
Designer Richard Foxton 'Northern Soul fans will adore this play, while drama lovers can at least admire its soul'
The Guardian on Mick Martin's 2003 production of Once Upon a Time in Wigan
Be Young Be Foolish… BUT BE HAPPY!! A full-on celebration of Wigan Casino and its legendary Northern Soul all-nighters when kids from blue collar lives all across the country could escape 70’s tedium and get Out on the Floor and Dance Dance Dance.
It’s September 1981, the last night of the Casino, and Britain is changing. For Danny, Maxine, Suzanne and Bolton boy Eugene Northern Soul has been their way out – a weekly escape hatch!
The Wigan all-nighter was the highlight of the week with Soul Galore and eight hours of classic soul, sweat and passion, to a beautiful soundtrack of Detroit and Philly, east and west coast winners.
But Time Will Pass You By, and as the club opens its doors for one last time, Eugene takes us back on an emotional journey to his very first heady night at Wigan, when he saw and fell in love with Maxine. This potent mix of drugs, sex, love and classic 60’s and 70’s American soul music changed his life, cos like the songs says… It’ll Never Be Over For Me…
Specially re-commissioned to help celebrate the end of the Octagon’s 40th Anniversary Season, Once Upon a Time in Wigan - LIVE! re-unites the team that created the full-on and funky Eight Miles High, the smash hits Blonde Bombshells of 1943, and Oh What A Lovely War.
Featuring a live band of brilliant actor musicians pumping out classic Northern Soul tracks in the Octagon Theatre’s signature style, Mick Martin’s high octane script is brought vividly to life in this unmissable tribute to the very heart of Soul – Wigan Casino 1973 -1981!
Keep the Faith!
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