[Heeplist] Heep at Holmfirth Part 2

Mon Feb 10 05:29:48 EST 2014

Thanks Damian, great gig and so nice to meet you again.

On 10 February 2014 09:41, Damian Leyland <damianleyland at hotmail.com> wrote:

> 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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