[Heeplist] Heep at Holmfirth Part 2

[Damian Leyland]

Superb review Iain! I couldn't add more except that you know a good gig when
it just flies by, and this one did for sure. I agree with the comments about
Davey and I look forward to the new album coming out. Cheers.

-----Original Message-----
From: Heeplist [mailto:heeplist-bounces at travellersintime.com] On Behalf Of
BARNES IAN
Sent: 09 February 2014 23:32
To: heeplist
Subject: [Heeplist] Heep at Holmfirth Part 2

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
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