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Veteran DJ Nicky Peck to play Soul on Sunday session in Rochester

11:39, 02 March 2023

updated: 11:42, 02 March 2023

Veteran DJ Nicky Peck is coming out of retirement for a one-off gig to take clubbers back in time.

The former resident jock at Scamps nightclub in Chatham's Pentagon shopping centre is returning to Medway this Sunday after a break of 39 years.

Medway DJ Nicky Peck spinning the discs at Scamps nightclub in Chatham in 1977 (62747458)
Medway DJ Nicky Peck spinning the discs at Scamps nightclub in Chatham in 1977 (62747458)

He has been invited back by fellow DJ Aadil Rasheed to celebrate the sixth anniversary of the monthly Soul On Sunday sessions at Oliver's in Rochester High Street.

Aadil, who often DJs at the Rochester Castle concerts and has been touring with The Blow Monkeys, said: "I am so excited to announce the return of one of Medway’s legendary and most innovating DJs. Pecky will be my special guest tune-spinner.

"Original soul fans who know their music and clubbing history of Kent will love to see the county's prodigal son of soul back on the decks."

Nicky, 67, quit the music scene in 1984 for another kind of beat. He signed up as a copper with Thames Valley Police and became a police diver.

Before that, he had been a resident DJ at Stage 3 in Leysdown, the Tudor House at Maidstone and the Central Hotel and Joanna's nightclub in Gillingham working with the likes of Fat Larry's Band and Level 42.

Medway DJ Nicky Peck as he was (62716420)
Medway DJ Nicky Peck as he was (62716420)

He is widely acknowledged as being the DJ behind the success of jazz-funk band Level 42 which had a string of hits including Lessons In Love.

Nicky, who has since retired from the police force and no longer sports his trademark permed head of hair, said: "I'm really looking forward to returning to Medway for this special occasion and playing some of my favourite tracks which I am sure will go down a storm."

Aadil, from Gillingham, launched the soul sessions, then called The Mingle, which was mainly aimed at singles, in March 2017.

He said: "Back then, no one was holding soul music gatherings in wonderful surroundings on a Sunday afternoon which went into the early evening. Now there are 278 Sunday sessions around the country. In Kent alone there are now 17 similar events."

He added: "It seemed fitting to invite Kent's godfather of soul to join us."

Medway DJ Nicky Peck as he is (62716418)
Medway DJ Nicky Peck as he is (62716418)

Tickets are £5 in advance from here or £10 on the door.

The six-hour session kicks off at 2pm.

Aadil will be working with The Blow Monkeys at the Glassbox Theatre in Mid College, Gillingham, on Saturday March 18.

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