Legendary Northern Soul DJ Ginger Taylor is making a special appearance in Bradford this month.

Ginger has been a big name on the Northern Soul scene for 40 years, and today he’s an in-demand DJ in countries around Europe.

Now he’s celebrating the first anniversary of Bradford’s regular Northern Soul sessions.

Launched at the New Beehive Inn by DJs Dave Hughes, Mick Cordingley and Steve Flynn, the aim was to re-create the flavour of Bradford’s former Northern Soul scene. It paid off, with devotees flocking from around the country.

“I’ve got fond memories of Bradford,” says Ginger. “I used to DJ at Queen’s Hall, and in the early 1970s a phenomenal amount of Northern Soul records came from Bradford’s market.

“When I was at Wigan Casino I’d visit Bradford just to root through the records.”

Wigan Casino was the venue for one of the North’s legendary all-night Northern Soul sessions.

“I’m resident DJ at the Brighouse Ritz and I know Dave and the lads from there. They’re doing a great job; the soul scene in some towns has fallen apart, but there’s a loyal following in Bradford.”

Ginger started playing records at a Todmorden youth club. “I went on to places like Burnley Mecca, Halifax Tiffanys, then the Casino,” he says.

“There was a big soul scene in Bradford; there was always a nucleus from there travelling to Wigan. I’m looking forward to visiting Bradford again and seeing some old faces.”

Ginger combines running a building business with his DJ career. Increasingly he finds himself travelling overseas to present his sets.

He says there’s a loyal soul following among British ex-pats as well as younger fans in countries like Italy, Spain and Sweden.

“In every country there’s a region where the interest is focused; in Sweden it’s Gothenburg, in Italy it was Milan, and now Pisa.

“My concern is there’s no younger end in the UK to carry it through – it’s mainly people in their forties and fifties – but parents are bringing their teenagers along to all-dayers, which is encouraging.”

This summer sees the release of Ginger Taylor On The Right Track, a biography by Rob McKeever. “It’s named after my favourite record – The Right Track, by Billy Butler,” says Ginger.

So who’s his favourite artist? “Jackie Wilson,” he says. “I met him when I was 19. I won a competition to meet him backstage in London. Then there’s Marvin Gaye, Sam Cooke and Gladys Knight, who I met at Batley Variety Club in the Seventies.

“Most of them aren’t around anymore, sadly.”

It’s all about keeping the faith, and thankfully Ginger is as passionate about that now as he was spinning records at that youth club all those years ago.

Ginger Taylor is guest DJ at the first anniversary Northern Soul session at the New Beehive, Westgate, Bradford, on Sunday, from 2pm to 8pm. Other DJs include Graham Slater, Dave Hughes, Steve Burke and Jan. The first 100 people in will get a free compilation CD. For tickets ring Dave Hughes on 07964 540098.