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 Reviews |
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May 6th & 7th 2000 |
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Review by Mike Taylor
Hi all,
I suppose, better late than never, here is my review of the events of the
past few weeks.
In reality my HV started the week before with the visit of Dale and Helen
Fredericks to our home on the Isle of Wight. We first met Dale and Helen last
year when we visited California and they looked after us so well we were
eager to return the favour. On the Sunday night we were booked for a meal at
the Winterbourne Hotel which is where Charles Dickens wrote David
Copperfield. Now this has a first class restaurant and we had a fabulous meal
in what were truly superb surroundings.
On the Monday we did some sightseeing, the weather being perfect, warm and
sunny, and in the evening Dale & Helen made their way back to London.
Friday came soon enough and we had arranged to meet Bob Winward and his wife
Janice in Salisbury. Again the weather was perfect. What everyone must have
thought I don't know because we had been giving cold and wet weather warnings
for some time prior to HV.
I had only seen Bob in pictures but instantly recognised him as he got off
the train. He and Janice really are a nice couple and Denise and I both took
to them instantly and found them very easy going. We visited Salisbury
Cathedral and went to the site of the Heep famous Alex's Disco which is now a
magistrates court. Later we visited Stonehenge. Now the last time I'd been to
Stonehenge was in the 70's when every year around the Summer Solstice there
would be a major rock festival held in the surrounding fields. I saw bands
such as Hawkwind, Motorhead and Mungo Jerry. Apparently there were alot of
drugs and it was a result of these festivals that the Stones are now closed
off and there is now a major Police presence over the Solstice.
At about 6.30 we arrived at the Kenton in London, checked into our room and
had a meal in the Beefeater. It was then that we started seeing other
Heepsters. Dave White, Rodrigo, Alan and Margaret Keetley and Jykri and Tina,
also some German Stay on Top members of which there were quite a few. Alan
and Margaret we already knew from previous Heep and Gunhill gigs but it great
to meet all the others for the first time. We were all going to the Prince
Albert pub and needed Bob to show us the way to the train station and which
train to catch. If it wasn't for him we would probably would have gone in the
wrong direction.
We got to the Prince Albert and found a heaving mass of Heepsters all well
oiled with beer and listening to Heep over the sound system. It was great
getting aquainted and reaquainted with so many people.
The next day after a trip to the shops it was time to head for the Corrib
Rest. It was a hot day and by the time we got there carrying my bass, camera
etc we were ready for a drink. The Corrib was already full with Heepsters,
but we couldn't yet go up to the convention room as things were not yet
ready. Apparently the equipment was not yet set up due to it's weight and the
sheer volume of it. I got talking to Muzzy and we decided to try and get a
peek so we collected our guitars and climbed the stairs only to be stopped at
the top. We were able to leave our guitars there but that's all. On turning
around we bumped into Paul Newton coming up the stairs. Now I've spoken with
Paul many times on the phone recently but this was the first time in 20 years
that we had actually met so it was a great meeting. Paul was in a bit of a
hurry so we carried on down and waited with everyone else.
We didn't have to wait long and up we went. It wasn't a large room by any
means but just about large enough to hold the 300 or so of us.
Introductions over we got down to the business of the jams. I was getting a
little nervous I can tell you as I was playing bass on Bird of Prey and Why
which were up 2nd and 3rd. Dave White, Madman, Dale, Alex and Mac started
things off expertly with a great version of Sunrise. Then came my turn. My
hands were sweating and shaking. I'd practised enough but not actually played
with a band before except for one song with Gunhill, I was very nervous. Bird
of Prey starts and, hey, this is Ok, I was enjoying myself. We then get going
with Why with a bit of an iffy start on my part but again it was great
especially as John Lawton shared the vocals with Dale. I loved it and wished
I could do more but instead relaxed with a drink and enjoyed the rest of the
jams. The biggest thrill for me was when Paul congratulated me on my playing.
To me that really was something. Being up there on stage with such talented
people as Dale, Dave, Merrick and Alex was a real thrill. I was stood next to
the B3 and to hear Alex's playing especially during Why was simply awesome.
To me the Jam of the day was July Morning with again Dave, Alex and Merrick
but also with Richard Wagner on bass and Michael Keuter on vocals.
The rest of the time up to the main event was taken with meeting people,
drinking, eating and looking around the various memorabilia stands. I spoke
with Ken and was honoured that he remembered some of our e-mail
conversations. I also spent some time with Paul and went back over old times.
I also asked him that if he had the chance could he use my bass at some time
that evening. Ken's brother Trevor did a great acoustic set which involved
other members of the family including Ken on Lady in Black.
The main event arrives and I find a spot on the floor at the front. a great
view but sadly I'm no longer a teenager and sitting on the floor in cramped
surroundings for over an hour is no longer easy. The show was simply awesome.
It was fantastic to see Ken swaying behind the Hammond, to see Paul's fingers
magically racing up and down the fretboard, to hear John's amazing singing
and to see and hear Rueben and Justin playing their hearts out just shows
what incredibly talented musicians they are. They were all incredible. Not
only was the music great but there was great humour as well. John's
interaction with everyone was a joy. Obviously he had an advantage because he
knows most of the people there. Every time Ken got up to play guitar Paul
would stand behind him taking the #!!?# . Ken admitted it was a dangerous
thing having Paul stand behind him. The end came all too fast but the encore
Gypsy was fantastic. Sadly my video had run out and it was here that Paul
used my bass so I didn't get it on video but nevermind I'll have to wait for
Kiril's video.
After this it was decided to end the evening as the appropriate thing. A good
decision as NOTHING could have followed that.
The next day Denise and I join up again with Bob and Janice and do some
sightseeing in London. On our way back to the Kenton on the tube we were
getting a bit worried as we could smell smoke. We were about to pull the
emergency chord when the train got to Queens Park station but were made to
leave the train,as it had caught fire. They quickly removed the train and we
had to wait for a later one. We thought this would make us late for HV but
luckily we were there in good time.
Things were just as good on day 2. Along with all the great jams we were
treated to a Heep workshop with questions for Ken and John. There were some
very amusing stories involving Lee Kerslake, Mick Box and Lemmy and The
Eurovision Song Contest. I've rambled long enough and can't quite remember
the full stories surrounding these so hopefully someone else will tell all.
Things came to an end with an outstanding set from Gunhill. What a
performance and what a reception. We even saw Ken again sing Lady in Black
for the third time in 2 days. He was a little taken aback with the middle
section being changed to Give Peace a Chance but quickly got into the swing
of it.
With Gunhill over it was time to say goodbye. This was very difficult because
there were just so many people to say goodbye to. I know Janice and Denise
and Janine were getting a little frustrated as they couldn't persuade Pete,
Bob and me to leave. We had to get away as the last tube of the day was about
to go.
As everyone has said this really was an amazing event and all credit and our
thanks must go to Graham, Lynn, Alan, Margaret, Dave, John and Iris for all
their hard work, and it really must have been hard work. There will never be
another HV like this one but I can't wait until next year.
I hope this wasn't too long and boring.
Take care
Mike
IOW