David Nathan

December 1966, London The big day is here! Dave Godin has hired a friend Henry Giles to design the colours (mauve and blue) of the shops distinct exterior. Dave has cobbled together the money for the rent, Ive helped us open accounts with UK distributors (EMI, Decca, Pye, etc) so we have some 45s...

December 1966, London What a way to end my year, speaking to Aretha Franklin who has signed a new contract with Atlantic Records in November. Using my Christmas bonus at Soul City is to call a favourite American RB artist, I dial the overseas operator who dials the Detroit number at the bottom ...

Christmas week, December 1966, London Soul City has been open for a few weeks and the word is out among the dedicated lovers of American RB which is all we sell! Local residents wont find the latest Rolling Stones or Who records in our shop! Dave Godin, Robert Blackmore and I have worked hard i...

December 31, 1966, London Im invited with my Soul City shop partners Dave Godin and Robert Blackmore to a New Years Eve dinner at the home of Irma Thomas UK fan club founder Bob Nessling and his Jamaican lover Jack I was naively unaware that two men could live as a couple at that time. Jack has...

November 1966, Bexleyheath The plan to open Britain 1st record shop selling only American RB is hatched. Inspired by a 45 on Cameo Parkway, a true deep soul tune Who Knows by The Soul City, our shop is to be called Soul City! Dave Godin and I are partners in the venture and he brings Robert Black...

September 1966, London Earlier in the year, my thirst for collecting every one of the Columbia albums by Aretha Franklin is quenched! Im forever hooked by the majesty of her voice and Im moved to write to let her know. Without a way to contact her, I send a letter expressing my love of her music ...

September 1966, Bexleyheath Im now staying at Dave Godins home and were trying to figure out how to make inroads with the Rhythm Soul magazine Dave gets review copies of 45s from UK record companies. One memorable morning, Im in my room and Dave puts on one of the 45s hes just received. He plays...

May 1966, London Im having a great time introducing soul music LPs released on Atlantic in the UK by Barbara Lewis and Esther Phillips and others to customers in the City of London record shop. As the Nina Simone Appreciation Society founder, Im still in the mix with the fellow Brits running fan ...

March 1966, London Ive decided that its time to leave school. My parents arent thrilled and after a few weeks of attempting home study, my mother says if Im not going to complete my education, I have to get a job. I land one, working at the Cheapside branch of a then-popular bookstore chain John ...

February 1966, London With my focus very much on the exciting events of the past six months starting the UK Nina Simone appreciation society, meeting Nina, Esther Phillips and Stevie Wonder Im starting to feel restless. Going to Kilburn Grammar School is proving tough. My thoughts of becoming ...

January 1966, London Over the holiday season of December 1965, Im busy working at Musicland, the local record store where Im earning pocket money and spending it all on rare US imported LPs! The new year begins with an invitation from Dave Godin, still running the Tamla Motown Appreciation Soci...