The original Torch building, on Hose Street in Tunstall, dated back to 1824, when it started out life as a church before becoming a roller-skating arena and then a cinema. It was finally bought by local entrepreneur Chris Burton in 1965 who turned it into a cabaret club promoting star turns of the day. It wasn’t until 1969 that a regular soul night began, hosted by budding DJ Keith Minshull. By 1972 the All-Nighters had taken over establishing the Torch as the country’s No.1 soul venue. A uniquely themed set featuring legendary Northern Soul tracks from the playlist of ground breaking soul jocks Keith Minshull, Johnny Beggs, Colin Curtis, Alan Day et al at the Golden Torch. “The greatest reaction the club has ever given is to Major Lance, 9th December 1972. That was the night he recorded the ‘live’ album of his greatest hits: it was also the night that he broke the existing gate record. There were almost as many people outside trying to get in as there were inside.” Chris Burton. An important collection from the club that forged the sound track to Northern Soul.