Photograph
Alan Wise, Steve Hopkins, Dr Hoppo
2023

Steve Hopkins had a degree in physics and a nice steady job in a Mecca ballroom when he got chatting to Alan Wise in Fagins, around 1977. Next thing he was in the back of a van full of smoke, bottles and desperadoes, heading for his first gig as keyboards man for the Dougie James Soul Train.

He did take a break for a university career but lately he has been back on the Manchester scene as Dr Hoppo.

Picture is from an interview in his yard in summer 2023, filmed by Rob Sellex, for the upcoming film Don't Mention The Hacienda.

Steve said: "A lot of people could never get past the fact that Alan would borrow money and forget to pay it back. I was careful but he still cost me a few thousand. But in a way it was worth it - for the people I met and the places I got to."

One reason the film seemed like a good idea is that almost anybody could be in it. The following list of acts who had some dealings with Alan Wise was put together for his funeral by Steve Hopkins and Bruce Mitchell ...

The Buzzcocks. Magazine. The Fall. Siouxsie Sue. Adam and The Ants. Penetration. John Cooper Clarke. Dexy’s Midnight Runners. Generation X. C.P.Lee. New Fast Automatic Daffodils. Elvis Costello, Ed Banger & The Nosebleeds, Slaughter & Dogs.
The Q-Tips. The Albertos. The Police. The Cure. The Skids. The Damned. The Wailers.
Distractions. Human League. Fall. Tiller Boys. Undertones. Specials. Some strippers. Some wrestlers. UB40. Eddy Grant. Gary Glitter. Toyah. Orchestral Manoeuvres. The The.
Jilted John. Gordon Moron. John Otway. Joy Division and then New Order. Pretenders. Northern Temperance Dance Society. Primetime Suckers. Throbbing Gristle. Hampton Levy. Gladiators. Culture. Iggy Pop. Echo and Bunnymen. Television.
Happy Mondays. Nico. Gil Scott Heron. Mary Coughlan. Geno Washington. Stone Roses. Jerry Lee Lewis. Lonesome and Penniless Cowboys. Little Richard. Chuck Berry. Chet Baker. Courtney Pine. John Cale. Sandie Shaw. Peter Green. Durutti Column. Certain Ratio. Black Grape. The Smiths, Donovan, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Peter Green, Lee Scratch Perry, Curtis Mayfield, Jose Carrera and the Halle Orchestra, Nick Cave, The Undertones. Jonathan Richman, Stephen Seagal and his Blues Band.

And who else? Please tell us ...