In May, Echoes gave a big plug to Randy Cozen’s annual all-dayer at The Rising Sun, North London which has been a staple of the capital’s soul calendar for the last 18 years.

Although we knew at tee time Randy was very ill, everybody was hoping that he’d be able to make it along. But sadly, Southgate’s greatest soul ambassador slipped away a couple of Sundays before.

As expected there was a massive turnout at the humanitarian funeral service and his sons, Paul and Terry, Dave Godin, Ady Croasdell and great friend Taff spoke eloquently.

It was a fitting farewell to an amazing character. His passing is of immeasurable loss to the soul community, as nobody was more passionate or devoted to great Black music than Randy. He championed and nurtured records that had been overlooked by others with less of a critical ear, and would send cassettes of long lost gems to fellow devotees around the country. Bobby Kline, Dan Folger, Soul Brother Six, Jerry Ganey, Spooner’s Crowd, Annette Snell, Theola Kilgare.. the list is endless, and although not necessarily all his own discoveries, they were 45s that Randy was passionate about.

Of course, Randy will be remembered as the co-founder [alongside Ady] of the long running 6Ts Rhythm and Soul Club, but his love for soul music started back in the sixties as a young mod. He heard classic soul sides when new releases at clubs like La Discotheque and his favourite Last Chance Saloon.

As he recalled for us when interviewed for the In Crowd:

“Can you imagine hearing Fred Hughes’ Oo Wee Baby’ for the first time, or Getting Mighty Crowded’ by Betty Everett? That was a massive sound then. I mean they’re easy stuff to get now, but they were such great sounds.”

In the late 70s, Randy met Ady Croasdell and together they held their first 6Ts night at Henri’s Bar in Covent Garden. Randy’s influence was strongly felt as slower midtempo sides were played to an audience more used to the faster Northern sides of the day.

Only close friends and family were aware of how serious Randy’s condition was, but he was determined that the free all-dayer would go ahead on 28th June. It was planed that a charity auction in aid of the Royal Marsden Hospital and Macmillan nurses [which finally netted £3000] would be held and contributions came far and wide,; including Dave Godin’s copy of ‘Greetings to the UK Motown Appreciation Society’ 45, complete with his ‘The Detriot Report’ booklet.

Dancer extraordinaire Trickster and his wife Etsu started DJ proceedings at midday, and were followed by an army of Djs spinning classic 6Ts movers right through to current modern room favs. The final tunes just after midnight were Flame n’ Kings ‘Oh Happy Day’, Ann Sexton’s ‘You’ve Been Gone Too Long’ and one of Randy’s great favourites, Tyrell Corporation’s ‘6 O’clock’. Johnny Timlin’s Valatone session near Euston also raised a further £500 for the charities, and those with staying power made it onto the 100 Club.

Our condolences go out to Randy’s family and friends who are all deeply upset at the loss of one of their own.

Mike Ritson and Stuart Russell