Kin'yōbi - November 31st 1995
The sky was a great
grey arch with columns of black girding the light. Rain spots tracing doily patterns onto the puddles of Sauchiehall Street. My feet were aching and
the chill had reached deep into my bones. In the near distance I could see the
warm glow of the Willow Tea rooms - a sunny grin above Henderson
Jewellers. After a day inspired by Charles Rennie
Mackintosh, it seemed fitting to end the afternoon away from the weather in this
Japonisme gem.
After climbing the stairs
a waitress settled me into a corner table where I sat back and marvelled at the
beauty of the space. Even on a grey day light cascaded through the ornate windows, bouncing off the clusters of elegant high backed chairs and glass
topped tables. Uplifted by my surroundings I ordered a large slice of
butterscotch cheesecake and a pot of Earl Grey tea.
I was about to leave when
a thick set man with ginger hair and a back to front baseball cap entered the
room. He stood near the door with hands on hips casing the joint with a
spotlight stare darting with lightning speed. Seemingly satisfied, he turned and nodded to a hitherto unseen group who followed him to
a table by the window. My curiosity aroused I looked across and instantly
recognised Corinne ‘Coco’ Schwab. My heart
somersaulted and then tangoed as a further glance revealed Reeves Gabrels. Coco
had acted as personal assistant to David Bowie since the 1970s - to get to
David, you had to get through Coco first. Reeves, sporting a bright pink
hairdo was the current axe man in the party, and this could mean only one thing. The man with his back to me had to be David Jones enjoying some leisure time.
David
& Coco circa 1975
To say I was excited is
an understatement the size of Mars. Images and the set list from the previous
night at the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre cascaded through my mind
as I wallowed in the moment. Could David bloody Bowie really be sitting just
ten feet away from me? Was I really breathing air that had just left the lungs
that had belted out ‘Teenage Wildlife’ last night? My body was a quiver and my
heart pounded like a piston as I processed. A loud guffawing laugh confirmed the identity and my thoughts once more tumbled in Bowie
frenzy. What should I do?
Well, how come you only want tomorrowWith its promise of something hard to do
A real life adventure worth more than pieces of gold
Blue skies above and sun on your arms strength your stride
Set design - Outside Tour - David Bowie is here -
V&A 2013
Bowie - Outside Tour - 1995
The waitress broke my
reverie with would you like anything else sir? I was tempted to point and
scream ‘bring him’ but instead I ordered more Earl Grey to calm my nerves. She
soon reappeared with a steaming tray and this time I asked if she would do me a
great favour. I pulled the concert ticket from my wallet and gestured to the
window table. You know who that is? I asked. Oh yes! she replied I’ve just
taken his order. I smiled, stifling my desire for details and some insight
into his dietary habits. Could you tell him I enjoyed the show last night and ask
him to sign my ticket?
I sat back and watched as she approached the table. Would he be angry at my intrusion? She crouched by his side with my ticket in her hand and to my astonishment he turned and flashed a broad smile before signing the stub and sending it back to me with a wave. I gazed at my prize trembling with the thought that moments earlier it had been in his hand.
I sat back and watched as she approached the table. Would he be angry at my intrusion? She crouched by his side with my ticket in her hand and to my astonishment he turned and flashed a broad smile before signing the stub and sending it back to me with a wave. I gazed at my prize trembling with the thought that moments earlier it had been in his hand.
Elated, I poured some
Earl Grey and pondered the situation. Would I ever be in the same room as David
Bowie in my life again? No. Was a signed ticket enough? No. Would
I regret not saying hello? Yes. Decision made I gazed lovingly across at the chair back, supped my tea and set about
rehearsing a speech. The last thing I wanted was to interrupt his afternoon
with crazed fan gabbling. After due deliberation, I rose from my chair and took
a deep composing breath before traversing the few feet that separated me and
from my god. His skin was clear and softly tanned and I noticed that he was wearing
a sweater with the year of his birth bursting from his chest. 1947.
‘Please excuse me for interrupting your afternoon tea'
He looked up with new teeth and beaming smile ‘Oh hello’
‘I just wanted to thank you personally for signing my ticket’
‘My pleasure’ another big grin
‘I really enjoyed the show last night and love the new record ’
‘Thank you very much’
‘I’ve been a fan for years, and couldn’t pass up the chance to say hi
and shake your hand’
I offered my hand ‘is that OK?’
‘Of course’
Our hands met, clasped and shook.
‘Thank you so much’
‘Pleasure’
‘Enjoy the rest of your afternoon’
‘I will’
‘Thanks again and goodbye’
I nodded with a big smile and floated back to my
table. It was time to go, my work was done. After one final gulp of cold Earl
Grey I settled my bill with a huge tip and then with one final glance took the
stairs down into the cold dark Glasgow air. Every few steps I stopped to look
at the ticket, not quite believing my luck. I had just met David Bowie.
November 30th 1995 – David Bowie - Scottish Exhibition Conference Centre
The Motel
Look Back in Anger
The Heart’s Filthy Lesson
Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps)
The Voyeur of Utter Destruction (as beauty)
I Have Not Been to Oxford Town
Outside
Andy Warhol
The Man Who Sold the World
A Small Plot of Land
Boys Keep Swinging
Strangers When We Meet
Jump They Say
Hallo Spaceboy
Breaking Glass
We Prick You
Nite Flights
Teenage Wildlife
Under Pressure
Moonage Daydream
