THE godfather of Lancashire House music, Paul Taylor, celebrates 40 years behind the decks at King George’s Hall, Blackburn, next Saturday.

Taylor was in the eye of the storm when the acid house revolution broke and was mastermind of the legendary Retro at Angels nightclub, Burnley.

And Taylor, whose style has influenced DJs all the over the world, said: “Blackburn and Burnley played a huge role in the evolution of house music, I’d always argue much more than Manchester did.”

Taylor will line up alongside Judge Jules, Allister Whitehead and electro group K Klass, for the History of House night, one of Lancashire’s biggest ever clubbing events.

“I’d always play in Blackburn on Maundy Thursday, Peppermint Place, Utopia and Manhattan Heights, and it became a yearly pilgrimage, playing to 2,000 people until the nightclub scene in Blackburn died,” added Taylor.

“It is desperately sad, both in Blackburn and Burnley, to see that has happened.

“Next Saturday’s History of House is going to celebrate that special era, and it’s going to be a huge party.”

Taylor’s back story reads like a who’s who of dance music.

Carl Cox, Pete Tong, Tall Paul and Boy George all played Saturday nights for Taylor at the Burnley venue.

“It was an indescribable time, people from all over Britain would come to Angels, as they are doing in Blackburn next weekend,” he said.

“There was this amazing vibe to it which could only be created because of the incredible music that was going down and the crowd – who were my friends – made the atmosphere.

“Angels was as influential as The Hacienda in Manchester. It was Burnley’s biggest attraction - the town was the hub of dance music.”

Taylor has seen it all. He played at some of the illegal raves and warehouse parties in the late 1980s, many in Blackburn and the Ribble Valley.

“I’ve been a DJ since the 1970s, starting out playing Northern Soul, but I suppose I’ll always be associated with dance music,” he said.

“Right now, I feel I can go on forever. I’ve been reinvigorated because the original house music generation have raised their families and are coming out to get nostalgic again.

“The digital revolution definitely put a dampener on the soul of house music, but all of a sudden kids are buying records again.

“I was talking to a young guy recently and he was searching out these old Detroit house tracks, loving the fact that he was delving into the history of house and finding all this great music from 25 years ago.

“As long as I’ve got that spirit inside me, that great love of house music, then I’ll carry on delivering those wonderful tunes.”

The History of House, King George’s Hall, Blackburn, Saturday, April 29. Details from 0844 847 1664 or www.kinggeorgeshall.com