Wigan Casino Gallery

In the 1970s Northern Soul enthusiasts would travel from all over the country to the Saturday all-nighters at the casino club. The DJ Russ Winstanley, playing Northern Soul tracks could certainly create the atmosphere and energy. Coupled with rare tracks from the US this would make the casino famous throughout the country and therefore all over the world.

Chris paints some great memories from those times throughout the 70s. Chris also includes some paintings from Mr. M’s.

The artist also includes some fantastic paintings of the great soul artists whose music was played at Wigan casino including: DJ Russ Winstanley, Kim Weston, The Supremes and Tommy Hunt. Also captured on canvas are views from the gallery and also the dance floor.

In 1978 the all-nighter was voted best disco in the world by Billboard Magazine. Besides that, at one point the club had over 100,000 members. Even more the venue with a huge dance floor and overflow room was the spiritual home of Northern Soul. This continued from 1973 right up until it’s closure in 1981.

The venue could hold a capacity of almost 2000 people, including the overflow room named Mr M’s.

The club finally closed in December 1981 after 8 years of music due to the councils failure to extend the lease. Furthermore the club was demolished the next year and thus ended an era. Probably the greatest musical influence Wigan has had over the years due to it’s ability to attract people form all over the country. As a result the music and the magic still live on to this day.