1968 News paper cutting

 

Christmas Eve 1968 (Michael Corrigan)

Re-open after refurbished

Catacombs Mug

Turned up courtesy of John Pugh, made in the 1980s by Dave Evison along with 3 other designs including The Torch. John says that some gold print versions were made for the DJ's. 

Last Nite at Cat's interviews & music

Sorry audio been removed now

Recorded interviews for Radio Nold in 1974 with Dave Allen & guests also room audio recorded for first 2 hours by Dave Krynski armed with just a microphone and a cassette recorder.

2014 interview with Pat Lewis by Bill Randle

Track listing for first hour at 'Cats last nite' (inc. warm-up with Max) 

1. BEVERLY ANN - You've Got Your Mind On Other Things - RCA 
2. KARL EVANS - Ooh-Wee Let It Be Me Babe - Skyway 
3. JON LUCIAN - What A Difference Love Makes - RCA 
4. CARL DOUGLAS - Marble & Iron - Buddah 
5. THE FABULOUS EMOTIONS - Funky Chicken - Tamboo (new club theme music) 
6. PAUL ANKA - I Can't Stop Loving You - RCA 
7. THE SERVICEMEN - Need A Helping Hand - Wind Hit 
8. THE VELVET SATINS - Nothing Compared To You - General American 
9. CASE OF TYME - Manifesto - Legend 
10. THE STAGEMASTERS - Baby I'm Here Just To Love You - Slide 
11. CONNIE CLARKE - My Sugar Baby - Joker 
12. LITTLE JOE ROMAN - When You're Lonesome (Come On Home) Tuff 
13. POPCORN WYLIE - Rosemary What Happened (vocal) - Karen 

Hour 1/Set 1: Resident DJ 'Blue Max' (Max Millward)

1. ILA VAN - Can't Stop Loving This Man Of Mine - Roulette 
2. THE POPPIES - There's A Pain In My Heart - Epic 
3. CHECKERBOARD SQUARES - Double Cookin' - Villa (c/u as Bob Wilson Strings) 
4. THE TIKI'S - Stop, Look & Listen - Ascot 
5. STEVE KARMEN BIG BAND/JIMMY RADCLIFF - Breakaway - United Artists 

Hour 1/Set 2: Guest (Wigan DJ): Kev Roberts (Part 1) 

1. ANN BYERS - I'm Happy Without You - Academy 
2. MARSHA GEE - Baby I Need You - Uptown 
3. CHARLIE ROMANS - Twenty-Four-Hour Service - Hickory 
4. JOHNNY HOWARD - The Chase Is On - Bashie 
5. NANCY WILSON - The End Of Our Love - Capitol 
6. LITTLE JOE ROMAN - When You're Lonesome (Come On Home) - Tuff 
7. EARL JACKSON - Self Soul Satisfaction - ABC

More to follow (below) with the blessing of Dave Krynski (who recorded it)

Hour 2/Set 2 continued (OLDIES)

1. JAMES BOUNTY - Prove Yourself A Lady - Compass 
2. SOUL TWINS - Quick Change Artist - Karen
3. EXITERS - Blowing Up My Mind - RCA
4. UNKNOWN  ( organ led instrumental?)
5. BOB RALPH - Blowing My Mind To Pieces - Trans-American 
6. BOB WILSON/SAN REMO QUARTET - All Turned On - Ric Tic
7. LITTLE ANTHONY/IMPERIALS - Gonna Fix You Good - UA/Veep
8. LAURA LEE - To Win Your Heart - Ric Tic
9. PHOPHETS - I Got The Fever - Smash
10. IKE & TINA TURNER - We Need An Understanding - Pompeii/London
11. PHILIP MITCHELL - Free For All - Shout/Jay Boy
12. JOY LOVEJOY - In Orbit - Chess
13. L.WILLIAMS/J.WATSON - Two For The Price Of One - Okeh
14. BOBI LYNN - Earthquake -  Stateside
15. CLIFFORD CURRY - I Can't Get A Hold Myself - Pama/Elf
16. RICHARD TEMPLE - That Beatin' Rhythm = Mirwood/Jay Boy
17. FURY'S - I'm Satisfied With You - Keymen/Jay Boy
18. JACKIE WILSON - Who Who Song - Brunswick
19. JIMMY THOMAS - Where There's A Will - Mirwood
20. DYNATONES - The Fifth Piper - Hanna Barbera
21. VIBRATIONS - Got Along Without You - Okeh/Columbia
22. EDWIN STARR - Backstreet (Inst) - Ric Tic
23. MITCH RYDER - Breakout - Stateside/New Voice
24. OLYMPICS - Do the Philly Dog - Mirwood
25. LEON HAYWOOD - Baby Reconsider - Fat Fish
26. JOHNNY WYATT - This Thing Called Love - President/Bronco
27. DEAN PARRISH - Determination - Boom
28. DOBIE GRAY - Out On The Floor - Charger
29. DEAN PARRISH - I'm On My Way - Laurie

Hour 3/ Local DJ Basil (OLDIES)

1. MAJOR LANCE - Investigate - Okeh
2. J.HOLIDAY/C.KING -  Ready, Willing & Able - Minit
3. MARLENA SHAW - Let's Wade In The Water - Chess
4. BOBBY GARRETT - I Can't Get Away (Inst) Mirwood
5. JOHNNIE TAYLOR - Friday Night - Stax
6. JACKIE EDWARDS - Unknown?
7. HUMAN BEINZ - Nobody But Me - Capitol
8. INVITATIONS - What's Wrong With Me Baby 
9. BOBBY FREEMAN - I'll Never Fall In Love Again - Autumn
10. CARSTAIRS - He Who Picks A Rose - Okeh
11. YOUNGHEARTS - A Little Togetherness - Canterbury
12. MAMIE GALORE - It Ain't Necessary - St Lawrence
13. RUFUS LUMLEY - I'm Standing - Stateside/Holton
14. HOMER BANKS - Hooked By Love - Minit 
15. ALEXANDER PATTON - A Little Lovin' Sometimes - Capitol 
16. Resident DJ Pep 
17. CHUCK JACKSON - Good Things - Wand
18. BOBBY PARIS - Per-so-nal-ly - Tetragrammaton
19. DEAN PARRISH - Determination - Stateside/Boom
20. ART FREEMAN - Slippin' Around With You - Atlantic/Fame
21. MITCH RYDER - Breakout - Stateside/New Voice
22. THE CAPITOLS - Ain't That Terrible - Atlantic/Karen
23. JUDY CLAY - You Busted My Mind - Scepter
24. JIMMY THOMAS - Where There's a Will - Mirwood
25. CARSTAIRS - He Who Picks A Rose - Okeh
26. SHAWN ROBINSON - ?
27. THE SORT KUTS - Your Eyes May Shine UA/Pepper
28. THE SEQUINS - A Case Of Love - Renfro 

(Guest Mecca/Wigan DJ Colin Curtis) 5.30 am recording (to be found)

1. MIRWOOD STRINGS  - Do The Temptation Walk (inst)
2. COASTERS - 
3. GEORGE BLACKWELL
4. LESTER LANIN
5. PAUL ANKA
6. DETROIT EXEUTIVES
7. GUYS FROM UNCLE
8. OLLIE JACKSON
9. MONTCLAIRS - 
10. VIRGINIA BLAKELY
11. JOHNNY BAKER
12. TOWANA BARNES
13. ANN PERRY - DON VARNER
14. ???? 
15. CASE OF TYME - Manifesto - Legend
16. IMPRESSIONS
17. OTIS BLACKWELL
18. COMMODORES - 
19. CARSTAIRS - 

Sam Dees 'live audio' at Thorne (The Canal Tavern) Dave Krynski taped.

More restored photos

 Click to enlarge

1970 club members card

Express & Star adverts

 

Michael Corrigan who supplied cutting said; " Express and Star, Wednesday, 26th January, 1972," Norman Cooke says; "'Big Dave' Moore and the 'Soul' Martin brothers, they DJ'd  the Cavendish, the Westerner, Wolves club and others" 

Re-open after refurbishment

2024 Survivors Get Together

Eddie Matusiac has kindly organized a 'get together' again for Catacombs Club FB fans who are still alive! after 50 years since the day it closed it's door (on this exact same date), hope to see you there.

 

Mickey, Janie, Macka x3 & Eddie x1

50 years ago today this legendary Club shut its doors forever.

Wolverhampton's Catacombs was at the forefront of the underground dance scene for the best part of a decade. It was probably responsible for more more classic dance-soul finds than any other evening club between 1967 and 1974.
I virtually lived there!
It's where I met my late partner and soulmate Helen, RIP. It remains the most important place in my life, which its music defined.
Rest In Peace all the DJs and dancers no longer with us, not least Max Millward, Alan S, Froggy and Bob Crocker. Dancers and friends too numerous to mention - the list would be never ending!

It's legacy is strong and indelible.
Long may it continue.
xxx Pep (Face Book)

Paul Darby

One of the classic Northern Soul images was a Cats regular from Bilson area of West Midlands, seen here at Wigan Casino. Pep recently caught up with Paul Darby or 'Darb' at a local Soul night in 2022.

DJ Pep's memories shared with Manifesto

 

Issue 1. 1993

Club membership date stamp

 

Later collected/owned by Max Millward, being left to his Son, James.

More memories of Max, shared by Son James Millward

Express & Star adverts 1969-1972

 Michael Corrigan

Express and Star, Saturday, 4/5/72.

This was the last night before the club closed for refurbishment. It reopened in September having had something of a facelift. The dance floor was re-laid and extended and the old stage was replaced with something much less defined. The clock with no hands that graced the wall at the back of the stage was deemed surplus to requirements and did not survive the re-fit.

1969 advert from Express & Star newspaper

Former Fans Share Memories

 

The club's weekly diet of music & DJ's

Rare Tunes Are Cat's Whiskers

 

Plaque unvailed July 2010

 

Express & Star full page July 2010 by Laura Blyth

21st Anniversary EP release (1995)

 

John White kindly sent me some pictures of the Anniversary EP. Only 500 were ordered, only a few made it to the Anniversary nite though, apparently Pedro had trouble getting more through on the occasion and sadly passed away soon after. 16th of September 1995 was the day of the advent. I missed this gig, but did attend the 20th a year earlier at the Wulfrum Center. Have you got any memories from this event to share, please comment below.

Tribute All-Nighter 2021 (original DJ's)

DJ running times

8 pm Steve Glover

9 pm Kenny Onions & John Pugh

10.30pm Carl Dene

11.30pm Neil Rushton

12.00am Grayham Warr

01.00am Nige Brown

02.30am Neil Rushton

05.00 am End

Club Soul The Catacombs (Vinyl)

Released in January 30th, 2019 on Charly Records, sleeve notes Neil Rushton £17.75 on Juno but already sold out

THE CLUB THAT SET THE TEMPLATE FOR NORTHERN SOUL

COMPILED WITH FOUNDING DJ CARL DENE AND NEWLY REMASTERED FOR THE CLUB'S 50th ANNIVERSARY

"Before the Catacombs there was Rhythm & Blues, after the Catacombs there was Northern Soul" Carl Dene

They called it "the greatest little Soul Club in the land" and, as history tells us, it bridged the gap between the R&B of the Twisted Wheel and the "adrenalin" soul of the Golden Torch. It was an integral part of the rare soul movement and set the template for what became known as Northern Soul!

This stunning vinyl album is compiled in association with the club's founding DJ, Carl Dene, and celebrates its 50th Anniversary. It has been newly remastered and pressed to 180g heavyweight audiophile vinyl complete with sleeve notes and a printed inner sleeve. (propermusic.com)

20th anniversary celebration 1994

1974 Free Radio Nold interview on last nite of the Cats (Dave Allen vocals)


Pep tribute on 20th anniversary in 1994

The radio all-niters ran for about 6 Months with many guests from around the UK. Pep's spot was in 9th July in 1994. He also did a show at the Wulfrum Center in Wolverhampton that Month.

Radio station copy that was displayed on the wall for other DJ's to read out. Other copies were distributed a Northern venues around West Midlands.

Live CD available of the last nite

The event the following year was less popular

All-Dayer 2017