Lady Ann and myself have had a great week, apart from pedestrian activities like shopping for provisions and various doctors appointments we have ventured into unfamiliar territory we attended a concert in our local metropolis, Manchester!
Now I can hear all my friends asking why the hell would you want to put yourselves through that.
Now we live in what our American friends call the Burbs, a place that is just far enough from civilisation but still has health support that is very effective and in this day and age that is definitely a bonus.
Now months ago a musical hero of mine, Trevor Horn CBE announced that he was touring with his band and an orchestra and was performing in Manchester and I immediately booked.
It had been over 40 years since I first listened to the Buggles and I had always wanted to see them live, this was quite possibly the last chance I will get to see at least half of them so I jumped at the opportunity.
I have to say that Lady Ann was less than enthusiastic at this news but seeing that I had been dragged to Micheal Bubble and Gary Barlow in recent years she reluctantly agreed to join me.
So we left to go into Manchester leaving enough time to park and get into the venue. Can I say that we only had one disagreement all the way in and that was about parking. We arrived got in our seats, got a drink and waited for the Concert to begin.
From the first number to the last this was like a romp through my favourite playlist from when I was young enough to be passionate about music. They covered songs I had forgotten and songs which reminded me of long lost times and brought a tear to my eye.
It is not often you get to witness true talent and it was an evening of laughter and eye watering virtuoso performances from all of the band. Even Lady Ann enjoyed it which is a minor miracle in itself because apparently I only listen to ‘sad songs’.
It was so good that Lady Ann even bought me the tee shirt, (only because I bought her one at Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbot the other month). So after a fantastic concert, (if you get chance to catch them it is well worth the ticket price) we made our way back to the car park.
Now bearing in mind that we travel a little slow because of my wife reliance on a walking frame we made our way back to the carpark behind the concert hall and I had a very surreal moment, Trevor Horn was stood by the rear barriers to the hall signing autographs.
Now bear in mind I never thought in a million years that I would ever meet the guy, but here I was with only two people getting autographs and I was within a very close proximity of meeting my all time musical idol which I have to say was a total shock.
Now my mother always said that you should never meet your hero because they always disappoint. Can I say that she was totally wrong,
I stood and waited like a teenager and went into total fanboy mode, strode forward and shook him by the hand and thanked him for a great concert and he very politely shook my hand and then saved my life from the barrier that was raising as I got to him that I had inadvertently missed.
Now Lady Ann was gobsmacked by the scene in front of her because after 45 years together she pointed out after the event it was totally out of character for me to actually put myself forwards and risk any type of rejection and that I am totally cynical when it comes to celebrity in any form, So she stood back and watched me make a total arse or myself.
So bearing in mind that I am famous for having a plan A,B and C in any situation I failed miserably, I didn’t have a pen so I didn’t ask for an autograph and I even forgot that I had a camera on my phone so I have no record of our encounter.
So I would like to thank Trevor for being ever so polite to a pushy 65 year old bloke and secondly for saving my life. But most of all I would like to thank him for all the great music that brought back so many memories whilst listening to the soundtrack of my life.
Every song brought back fantastic memories and only great music does that and for that I will be eternally grateful.
John D Eccles 