Question: What's the significance of the Northern Soul badges?
Answer: The first cloth Northern Soul badge was created by the Wigan Casino DJ Russ Winstanley, a pioneer in the movement, in 1974 as a way to celebrate the first anniversary of its first "all-nighter." Eventually these became popular with other clubs, as well. "Soulies" would routinely sew these badges to their vests or other articles of clothing as a way to show both their experience and solidarity with the movement.
Replicas of the original '70s badges can be purchased at Soul Memorabilia.
