Nigel Howes started DJing in 1969 when the choice of equipment was very limited and playing records meant carrying 7” singles in boxes (mostly in Schweppes crates!) to every venue. His choice of music started with Rock 'n' Roll, R&B, and Soul music at a time when the only way to build a music collection was to buy the records.
From working in UK pubs and clubs he joined the Goodhews club circuit in the 70s working at their venues in London and the South East. This led to a brief spell at hospital radio, resident DJ at Top Shop, and regular weeknights for a national club network.
Nigel started Comus Light Designs, manufacturing discotheque lighting, a company that developed into the audio and lighting company, CLD Distribution Ltd. which merged with Penn Elcom in 2011.
At the end of 1999, Nigel retired from DJing to concentrate on CLD, but kept all of his vinyl records. He now has the time to open up the record boxes that have been kept in storage for the last 20+ years and play the music that brings back memories.
In 2019, former BBC producer Phil Gott invited Nigel to join his HartnSoul programme on Phoenix Radio in Halifax, a programme that features early Soul and R&B music, the perfect platform for Nigel to play the records he did 50 years ago. Each week HartnSoul programmes are broadcast on Pheonix 96.7fm and since April 2021 the programmes have been added to the Delux Radio online weekly schedule.
"It is rather ironic to be dusting off and playing old records at a time when CD sales have slumped and vinyl is making a comeback" Nigel commented with a wry smile.
