[Heeplist] Heep at Holmfirth Part 2

[BARNES IAN]

Me, Pete and Mike made our way to Mick's side of the stage and met up with
the rest of the gang.  We stood there wondering and hoping if we may be
able to get to see Heep at some stage.  The door staff was typically full
of themselves and attempted to move us on in their usual unfriendly way.  We
of course stood still until one comedian said if you don't move we'll have
you removed!  I remember Dougie saying to this guy are you sure about that?
I looked at Dougie and thought this door guys thicker than he looks
lol.  Anyway
we were edged out slowly when at this point Scampi appeared and said if he
could he would come and get us in the bar at the back of the venue if Heep
were up for it.  Probably 45 minutes passed in this packed bar full of
mainly I suspect young locals out on their usual Friday night mixed with
some fans from the Heep gig.  The music certainly wasn't directed at rock
fans and it was a relief and great surprise when Scampi popped his head in
the bar and prompted us to follow him into a side entrance.  We went into
the rain briefly, through the door and up a couple of flights of stairs
leading to a room with a few Heep fans (probably VIPs) and of course Heep
themselves.  This was only the second time I'd got backstage but this time
I wasn't as nervous and I made a conscious decision to attempt to talk with
Davey.  All were standing except Davey who was at the small bar at the end
of the room talking to someone who looked fairly familiar.  Going across
the room I stumbled into Mick who said alright mate, obviously I said yes
and said what a great performance.  Mick said thanks and continued talking
to Dougie who was getting something signed.  I held out my ticket and
without hesitation Mick signed it for me.  I was patient and chose my time
carefully to disturb Davey's conversation and Davey was only too happy to
chat.  I congratulated him on his performance and told him he was a great
addition to the band.  Davey was delighted by this and thanked me.  He told
me how it was impossible to fill Trevor's shoes and how he was a fan of
Thain and Bolder for many years and how honoured he was to be given such a
chance.   I ensured him he was doing Trevor proud and making his own mark
on the band. Davey was keen to ask me if I noticed his own little tribute
meant for Trevor.  I did notice it and praised him on how he was putting
his own moves and traits into the band.  I said to Davey that it was
obvious he really got along with the band and he confirmed that by saying
how he had been made so welcome straight from the start.  At this point I
asked him to sign my ticket stub and he obliged and I also got a photo with
Davey whilst Dougie was flashing his camera around.  I told him I had
bought the two albums when he was with Zodiac Mindwarp and the Love
Reaction and if I'd have known I'd get this chance I would have brought
them to be signed.  At this point Davey told me the guy next to him was
also in that band or something to do with the band.  I didn't quite hear
what he said and thought it inappropriate to ask him to repeat it.  That's
amazing I said and started to tell them both about how difficult it was to
get a reasonably priced copy of the Rock Savage CD.  Davey's mate was
astonished and quickly stated how he has about 50 copies of this at home so
I told him to get then on eBay and make a few bob!  Davey also told me how
he learnt the songs from watching YouTube clips. I asked if they rehearsed
much to help him out and Davey said they didn't do much rehearsal as they
knew the stuff like the back of their hands so he was flying by the seat of
his pants at the beginning. I could have talked all night to Davey as he is
so friendly and enthusiastic but thought I better not push my luck so I
thanked him and he warmly shook my hand and said it was his pleasure. I
felt a million dollars.  My next mission was to get a photo with Phil as he
was now the only member I hadn't had a photo with. On my way over to Phil
Mick raised his hand high and I awkwardly high fived my hero, what a great
night I was having. Phil was talking to Yvonne so somewhat rudely I tried
to get Yvonne's attention by gently touching her arm.  At this point Scampi
was bellowing come on guy's time to leave so I had to take the direct
approach and just ask Phil outright for a photo.  Luckily he was more than
happy to oblige and I shouted Dougie to get his ass into gear.  I got the
photo and he signed my ticket.  At some point I got Russell to sign it too
whilst he was complaining to Dougie about pot holes in his hometown that
had damaged his car.  Finally we grabbed a word with Bernie and he signed
my ticket too.  Scampi had really increased the volume now so we knew this
was the end, we said our goodbyes and made our way carefully down the
blackened stairs into the cold rainy night.

By this time it was just after midnight and we had to knock to get back
into the pub/hotel.  Pete went back to his hotel and Mike went back with
his family.  Me, Kev and Yvonne were the only ones staying at the Old
Bridge and when someone opened the door for us they asked if we were guests
so obviously we said yes even though Dougie wasn't.  Kev waited for Joe and
Elina by the door because they weren't stopping at the Old Bridge either.  It
was time for more drinks and more chat but the night had to end sometime
soon and this was accelerated by the barman shouting last orders.  I went
to buy the last round and we seemed to take an age to finish these drinks
while we talked Heep and general chit chat.  Again I spent a lot of time
talking with Elina which was a real pleasure.  Dougie had brought along his
photo album and it was fun to browse through his Heepy photos and reminisce.
Kev and Yvonne were asked how much they spent following Heep and we had a
good laugh working out a figure, whatever that amount I know they wouldn't
have changed a thing. Sadly it was time to go our separate ways and Dougie
was first to leave, we said our farewells then Elina and Joe's taxi turned
up too.  We let them out and said our goodbyes as I did to Kev and Yvonne
in case we missed each other at breakfast.  I went to my room happy and
tired with memories being embedded in my brain for future times to
reminisce.

After a decent night's sleep I awoke and immediately took a couple of
headache pills just in case before going down for a full English.  Coffee
had rarely tasted this good and the breakfast was just the job.  I had just
about finished when Kev and Yvonne appeared for a light breakfast and a
bacon butty to take with them whilst they headed to Minehead for the
weekend with Heep headlining on Sunday.  We said our goodbyes and I
collected my bag, handed in my key and took the few steps to the bus stop
on my way back to Huddersfield.  All transport was on time with no problems
and I was back in Blackburn drinking tea in a cafe were my wife works part
time.  I don't take sugar but that tea was so sweet with my freshly gained
memories floating around my head.  What a wonderful experience and I thank
you all who helped contribute in making that possible.

I don't apologise for the length of my story and congratulate anyone who
managed to reach the end.  To my friends who couldn't make it this time due
to reasons out of their control I look forward to sharing similar
experiences in the future.



Thanks for reading

Iain