Soul Central presenter Basher Bangers "The Bash", has been involved in the Manchester Soul Scene since the Seventies and as he explains his passion for great music is as strong as ever.

I have been involved in Soul Music and presenting for approx 45 yrs starting with a DJ spot at a well known night club in South Manchester “The Sandpipier” back in 1977. It was there I met my now wife Amanda of 41 years she was dancing round her handbag one night and for some reason took a fancy to me lol.

I have been credited with introducing Mick Hucknall (Simply Red) with the hit single “Moneys Too Tight To Mention” as Mick was a regular visitor to The Sandpiper and I provided a tape copy of the track by The Valentine Brothers from America. I have always been a student of Soul Music and started broadcasting in 1985 approx at KFM Radio in Stockport. Since then I have worked on many Radio Stations and played at many all nighters over the years with the likes of Richard Searling, Mike Shaft and Greg Wilson to name but a few.

I have also worked with in the studio with the likes of Lisa Stansfield back in the day and interviewed many Soul Stars over the years.  I still attend concerts whenever possible and I am totally committed to embracing 21st century Soul associated genres as I believe it is a mistake to “stay stuck in the past”.I joined WFM some years ago and have presented various shows during that time. My current show has a high level of preparation with Classic soul as well as 21st Century grooves. I appear every year at The Printworks Soul festival in Manchester attended by over 40,000 people each year! In aid of the Christie Hospital and I am grateful to give something back to the masses that enjoy the music I love and raise funds for the Christie organisation