By Joe Baiamonte
Darren Matthews has spent the best part of the last 30 years travelling the world, entertaining the masses. From the indie circuits in Lancashire to sell out crowds at Madison Square Garden with more than a a smattering of European and World tours thrown in for good measure, along with a handsome share of awards. But this mysterious yet hugely successful Mr. Matthews is no singer or songwriter, but rather WWE superstar William Regal. Professional wrestler and more importantly, a rather massive Northern Soul fiend.
A Blackpool native, Regal grew up on the doorstep of the Northern Soul revolution in the UK, yet got his kicks (literally) elsewhere as he became a student of the squared circle rather than the dancefloor, sharing bills with the likes of Big Daddy and Giant Haystacks and appearing on ITV's World of Sport alongside tag team partner and fellow British wrestling legend, Robbie Brookside. 'Lord' Steven Regal, as he was then known, would go onto ply his trade in World Championship Wrestling (WCW) before finally becoming an essential part of the furniture in Vince Mcmahon's WWE in 2000, where he has remained ever since, lifting Titles on no fewer than 15 occasions as well as being crowned the 2008 King of The Ring.
The relationship between wrestling and popular music nowadays isn't perhaps anything to shout about (Flo Rida appeared at the last WrestleMania) yet a little walk down memory lane will remind us of the Rock 'N' Wrestling Connection between MTV and the then WWF in the mid 80's and of appearances by Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles and Gladys Knight. So the worlds of 'Sports Entertainment' and soul music aren't perhaps as far apart as you may think. And to bridge any gap between the two, there's William Regal, wrestling villain and Soul Head extraordinaire . . .
The Soul Kitchen: How did you first get into Northern Soul music and what is it about it that you love so much?
William Regal: I first got into Northern Soul in 1985. I used to work in the Tangerine Nightclub in Blackpool. One night I was stood at the door and I heard 'There's A Ghost In My House' by R. Dean Taylor coming from inside the club. I walked in and saw three lads gliding around the dance floor and I was hooked. I stood there as 'Needle In A Haystack' by The Velvelettes and then 'The Snake' by Al Wilson came on and was totally enthralled watching these lads spin about. I asked the DJ what it was all about and he said it was "Casino music". I asked another doorman and he told me what I had been missing all my life. Not long after that the club started running a soul night on Mondays and so if I wasn't wrestling I used to ask to work it. I got to meet some people who were either Soul fans, Mods or Skins who enlightened me more. Magic.
TSK: You've never been shy of letting loose some of your dance moves in the ring (to hilarious effect), but how would you rate yourself on the dancefloor?
WR: I'm not a great Northern dancer as I feel a bit awkward being 6'3 and 17 stone.Nowadays my right knee is a bit suspect and I'd look even dafter with the bloody great brace I have to wear on it.
TSK: You often promote Northern Soul all nighters through your Twitter page, but we're guessing with your hectic schedule that you seldom get to attend any. When was the last time you managed to get to one?
WR: About 20 years ago. Sad, really.
TSK: Ok, picture the scene. It's WrestleMania, you've just won the WWE Title in the main event and the confetti is raining down and the fireworks are erupting around the stadium. Which Soul tune do you choose to blare out of the PA system to celebrate with?
WR: 25 miles by Edwin Starr.For no other reason than that it's the right sound(as long as the bass is brought up) and I've trained more with that tune playing than any other.
TSK: Are there any other Soul heads in the WWE locker room or are you the only one Keeping the Faith?
WR: No one apart from me, although Daniel Bryan has listened to some with me when we've been traveling and he always likes it.
TSK: Aside from yourself, who has the best taste in music in the WWE locker room and who has the worst?
WR: Left to his own devices then Daniel Bryan has without doubt the worst taste in music I've ever heard. The last time I traveled with him he was playing some folk music about vampires! Wade Barrett has a good collection of tunes, mostly British bands. A lot of Wrestlers seem to like Nickleback who I think are the worst band of all time.
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| Daniel Bryan didn't take kindly to Regal's critique of his Vampire Folk collection. |
TSK: Do you listen to anything before a match to get yourself in the zone? Given your love for reptiles and all things villainous, I'm predicting it's 'The Snake' by Al Wilson.
WR: Before a match I listen to a wide range of tunes to get ready while I'm warming up. A lot of 100 mile Northern but also some early British Metal, Motörhead, Saxon and Maiden.
TSK: During your career you must have worked shows in Detroit numerous times, have you ever taken in Hitsville USA, now the Motown Historical museum?
WR: Yes I have. Only once, though and I got a bit emotional thinking of all the tunes that have been a part of my life that were made in there.I always loved Motown before I ever got into Northern. In fact most forms of soul, Philly and Memphis have always worked for me.
TSK: And finally, is there any chance of seeing a return of your legendary rap skills in the future? Surely Vince Mcmahon realises villainous Lancashire rapping = ratings?
WR: You never know. I'll do whatever I can to entertain. My whole character is "Carry On Wrestling".
* You can (and SHOULD) follow William on Twitter @RealKingRegal *
Until next time,
Keep on Keepin' on,
Baia
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