SOLID SOUL TV SHOW

**Energyguy** · September 17th, 2005, 02:39 PM

Do any of you guys remember the UK Channel 4 show SOLID SOUL that was in in the mis 1980s ?? it was a great show that gave us access to many great soul/dance tracks/artists that would largely be ignored ny major TV + Radion stations. I remember seeing some great performances by artists such as GWEN GUTHRIE/CHAKA KHAN/LEE PRENTISS/LOOSE ENDS/WORKING WEEK/SHIRLEY MURDOCH/BARBARA PENNINGTON/MILLIE SCOTT/PRECIOUS WILSON/RUBY TURNER... The list is endless...

**buckaroo** · September 17th, 2005, 03:30 PM

:P
Too bloody right mate! It was British TV's best attempt at presenting Black music to the masses. And near enough 20 years on, it hasn't been bettered.

I was hoping it would turn up on some satellite channel, but so far it hasn't. Some of the guests they had on the show were incredible: The Winans, Viola Wills, Chaka Khan (in skin- tight Leopard skin mini-skirt :-?) Aurra, etc. And the UK groups were no slouches: Jakki Graham, Real Thing, Total Contrast, Five Star :P

Fantastic...You can tell I liked it.

**Energyguy** · September 17th, 2005, 03:37 PM

Originally Written by buckaroo

:P
Too bloody right mate! It was British TV's best attempt at presenting Black music to the masses. And near enough 20 years on, it hasn't been bettered.

I was hoping it would turn up on some satellite channel, but so far it hasn't. Some of the guests they had on the show were incredible: The Winans, Viola Wills, Chaka Khan (in skin- tight Leopard skin mini-skirt :-?) Aurra, etc. And the UK groups were no slouches: Jakki Graham, Real Thing, Total Contrast, Five Star :P

Fantastic...You can tell I liked it.

I remember Chaka singing LOVE OF A LIFETIME in Knee length leopard skin boots and working up the crowd ! wow! What a performance !!

**buckaroo** · September 18th, 2005, 05:49 PM

Re-live it! Now! :lol: :lol: :lol:

She really got into her performance. Talk about move me no mountain. :P

And look who was once a researcher on the show...

Yep. Our very own Wossy.

**Energyguy** · September 19th, 2005, 11:45 AM

Originally Written by buckaroo

Re-live it! Now! :lol: :lol: :lol:

She really got into her performance. Talk about move me no mountain. :P

And look who was once a researcher on the show...

Yep. Our very own Wossy.

WOW !! - Thanks for the great pics.. It only seems like yesterday that I was sat watching Chaka belt out that great track ! She really knows how to work the crowd !
It would be great to see some re-runs of that show - or a DVD release !!!! 8)

**Jackson9** · September 20th, 2005, 10:32 AM

i remember that show like it was yesterday :)

The Gap Band opened one show singing 'Big Fun'

and wasn't Donna Allen on another episode singing 'Serious'..

damn.. such memories ;)

**Energyguy** · September 20th, 2005, 12:27 PM

Originally Written by Jackson9

i remember that show like it was yesterday :)

The Gap Band opened one show singing 'Big Fun'

and wasn't Donna Allen on another episode singing 'Serious'..

damn.. such memories ;)

I remember seeing Donna Allen on SOLID SOUL singing SERIOUS.. Such a big track over here in the UK..It was one of my favourites of 86. I also remember seeing -:

MILLIE SCOTT singing PRISONER OF LOVEPRECIOUS WILSON singing NICE GIRLS DONT LASTLEE PRENTISS singing SWEETHEART
LEWIS SISTERS singing MAN IN THE MOON
VESTA WILLIAMS singing ONCE BITTEN TWICE SHY
MELISA MORGAN singing FOOLS PARADISE (God - amazing voice)

**buckaroo** · September 20th, 2005, 03:22 PM

:D
I have the Millie Scott and Cool Notes one someplace...I also recall seeing Loose Ends on one ep, but can't find that one :-? Aurra were good. Watching these old shows really made laugh. Big glasses, shoulder pads in shirts and jackets, make-up...And that's just the blokes :P
I wouldn't hold me breath as far as seeing 'em on DVD. Unless someone sells copies on ebay or summat. :roll: It shows how much Channel Four has changed since then, because they just wouldn't make a show like that now. No messing, no frills, just good music. TOTP take note.

**Energyguy** · September 20th, 2005, 04:02 PM

Originally Written by buckaroo

:D
I have the Millie Scott and Cool Notes one someplace...I also recall seeing Loose Ends on one ep, but can't find that one :-? Aurra were good. Watching these old shows really made laugh. Big glasses, shoulder pads in shirts and jackets, make-up...And that's just the blokes :P
I wouldn't hold me breath as far as seeing 'em on DVD. Unless someone sells copies on ebay or summat. :roll: It shows how much Channel Four has changed since then, because they just wouldn't make a show like that now. No messing, no frills, just good music. TOTP take note.

Think i will write a pleading letter to C4..Please show re-runs of SOLID SOUL !!!!! It was the TV highlight of the week for me.

**buckaroo** · September 20th, 2005, 05:07 PM

I wouldn't mind seeing the awful Soul Train again. They bodged that up good and proper. But learned their lessons when they did SS.

**Energyguy** · September 21st, 2005, 11:25 AM

Originally Written by buckaroo

I wouldn't mind seeing the awful Soul Train again. They bodged that up good and proper. But learned their lessons when they did SS.

I dont recall seeing the SOUL TRAIN - When was that broadcast ?

**buckaroo** · September 22nd, 2005, 09:32 AM

The UK version of Soul Train was shown about a year before SS (Spring of 1985-ish). Jeffrey Daniels from Shalamar was the presenter, and guests included The RAH Band among others. It was heavily critisised, and only lasted one series - about a dozen eps I think - because, so I've heard, their licence to use the name was taken away. Channel Four never repeated it AFAIK.

**Devantekid** · February 6th, 2008, 06:36 AM

Ha ha!

Just came across this thread/messageboard today!

I wrote a blog (inserted below) about Solid Soul a while back! (Pity I didn't come across this board in my internet search back then!)

A young guy read my blog and got in touch with me asking if he could have copies of my tapes as his mum was either dancing in the audience or one of the dancers!

The thread is quite old, so you all now must be aware that a few clips from SS can be found on Youtube....

"Whatever happened to Chris Forbes?

Why I wonder you may ask, or even who tha beep is that?!!! LOL

I was reminiscing on some TV shows I used to watch back in the day, (I still have stuff I taped on VHS!!!! LOL) and one of the shows was 'Solid Soul'. I did an internet search on the show, and came up with nothing, but did manage to track down Juliet Roberts in the process!!!

It was shown on Channel 4 in the late 80's and was presented by Juliet Roberts & Chris Forbes.
At the time, Juliet was in a group called 'Working Week' and Chris was a DJ/radio presenter (I think).

I remember 'breaking my neck' to get home every Friday to watch 'Solid Soul' at 6.20pm on Channel 4!!!
Apart from 'Top of the Pops' which was mainly 'pop' music (it was a novelty to see a Black singer/group on the show), back then 'Solid Soul' was the ONLY programme on our paltry 4 UK channels that was dedicated to soul/funk music!

Funny enough, shortly before 'Solid Soul' we did have a UK version of 'Soul Train' that was presented by the one and only Jeffrey Daniels, (of Shalamar fame) which paved the way for 'Solid Soul', I guess, as it seemed to disappear after a few shows!

'Solid Soul' is responsible for moulding the foundation of my record collection!!! Back then I got £8.00 pocket money every week (which was a fortune in those days!!), and I would watch 'Solid Soul' on Friday evening, and spend £6.00 of it in 'Our Price' record shop in Lewisham precinct every Saturday!!!! LOL!!! LOL!!!

12" vinyl records were £2.49 or £2.79 depending on where the song charted! If it wasn't for that show I wouldn't have bought half the chunes I own!....OK not half, as the show wasn't on for years, but the show certainly introduced me to some chunes!! I remember buying 'You & Me Tonight' by Aurra & 'What You Gonna Do About It?' by Total Contrast, simply by hearing it for the first time the night before!!!!!!!

Ahhhh........those were the days eh?!!!

LOL"