It may have been released in 1957 but it wasn't until 1986 when it finally made number one in the UK. Again I was there for England's madness as dance clubs were full of people dancing to this old fifties classic. We already knew the name after listening a few years earlier to Dexy's cover of Van Morrison's song Jackie Wilson Said but here was the real thing. And it was utterly fantastic.
And what comes to mind. I was on my way to London for New years Eve in Trafalgar Square and a stay at the Regent Palace in Piccadilly Circus. I thought I might drop in on Mick Barclay's sister Kirsten who was staying in a little village somewhere down south. It turned into quite a journey where I had to take a train to Milton Keynes and the take this bus that seemed to wind it's way through all these tiny villages in the English countryside. Finally when I was the only one on the bus it dropped me at the the pub across from where Kirsten was staying. By that time I was so worn out I can't remember anything else. Just this incredibly long journey on a freezing cold night. Maybe one pint and then I was out like a light.
The next day I got up early and went back to London to find myself frozen into the city and unable to get out as they closed the ferries and railways. A plan to meet a friend in Italy just crashed as transport was delayed and then France was hit by a rail strike. Trafalgar Square was pretty magical though. And they did play Reet Petite.
Disastrous holiday but I came home with some great singles. Most of them soul and dance stuff I was starting to get into.
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