DIARY 05/03/10
Been clearing my study lately. It’s a difficult one, throwing stuff away. Shredding papers you’ve piled for no reason for years. There are piles even on the floor. Time passes so quickly now. I can remember adding that sheet to that pile the other day. No, it must be longer than that – like, five years longer.
But discarding the detritus of half-a-lifetime is difficult. I keep telling myself it’s like that overcoat you gave to charity seven years ago. It was tough to let it go, even though you hadn’t worn it for an age. It was hard to say goodbye, not knowing where it would end up, whose back it would adorn for future times. But did you miss it once it was out of your wardrobe and off your hands? You bet I did. Still think of that overcoat now. But these papers and paperback books and CDs and all did not cost a small fortune, bespoke-made in Savile Row, as that Crombie coat did. So I’m on a mission. First we clear the floor, then the shelves. Books: not easy to throw out/give away a book. But my village will hold a coffee morning in June, and they want the discarded ones, and there’ll be maybe 200 of them. The PCC is thrilled to learn of this great number. I will box them up, get them over there as soon as possible, and pretend it never happened.
But then among the piles of deadwood and funk a gem appears. Mike Johnston sent me a couple of tickets last year, from our American shows in 1975. We toured briefly as a headline act, and again later that year as support to The Kinks. I think that’s what happened. But Mike throws a spanner in the works, asking about the earlier ticket, from February that year, us alone, and whether it belongs to a concert that never happened. He wonders was it “one that was cancelled”, and I can’t say. I started keeping a diary in the middle of 1975. So that February date is lost in the pop ether. And Mike gave me the programme for our show at The Capitol Theater, New Jersey, November 26th, supporting The Kinks. It’s a fascinating read, not least for the back cover which has 6 boxes, with diagrams showing how to roll the perfect spliff. “Rolling 201: HOW TO ROLL BETTER, Prof. E.Z.Jay”. The papers were made by e-z wider. I only remember our own Rizlers. So on with the clear-out. But it’s slow, because every other piece of nonsense needs confirming, so I stare, peruse, consider. What a waste of time. I wonder does Mike want the pristine programme back? And the tickets? I’m not a collector of memorabilia, just detritus, apparently. I’ll keep them safe. Fascinating to read it all, but these rarities deserve a better home.
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written by Karen Morrison , March 05, 2010
So familliar! I start off with good intentions armed with a big roll of bin-bags and ten minutes into the clearance campaign am completely distracted by some snippet or other.....
Other half tried to convince me a few years back that the size of my book collection was the reason the back of our house subsided and had to be underpinned! I did get rid of about 500 (reluctantly) but the collection has grown again since - but I have only bought back about two that I regretted letting go of in the first place.
And as for the Harley collection..... :-)
written by baartmans , March 05, 2010
Why clean up your study? Or rather, why throw away memorabelia (any peace of paper is one)? There once was a reason why you kept them. We still have your albums Human Menagerie, Psychomodo, the best years of our lives. We cannot play them anymore because we're digital these days. But we didn't throw them away. Over 30-something years ago they meant something to us. We married then and as it appears we are still married (heey maybe keeping some relation / respect with what passes is the reason for that)and by as it turns out it is one of the reasons why we are now travelling to Dublin for your concert. So don't throw away anything unless you have no other option: your p[ast determines your future!
written by Sharon Harris , March 06, 2010
That's funny Baartmans: "We still have your albums Human Menagerie, Psychomodo, the best years of our lives. We cannot play them anymore..."
The only reason I came here this evening was because I dug out my old Human Menagerie, Psychomodo and Best Years vinyls and had a nostalgic morning with the old record player. No, I'll never throw them out.
Interestingly, I've actually got something of Steve's that he probably HAS thrown out - his report from his journalism course at Harlow Technical College!!!
written by Rachel (PA to SH) , March 06, 2010
Steve would be interested in seeing that, Sharon.
How did you come by it?
Any chance you could photo-copy it and send to us:
Comeuppance
PO Box 7073
Sudbury
CO10 7WN
X
written by Sharon Harris , March 06, 2010
So he HAS thrown it out then! I used to work for the East London Advertiser and I was snooping around one day. It's kind of cathartic getting that secret off my chest after all these years. I can send it by snailmail but easier to email as I now live in France - can you email me an email address?
written by Rachel (PA to SH) , March 08, 2010
Dear Sharon,
We're not sure Steve actually knows anything about the report! Maybe he never received it? You got it instead!
Please snail-mail it to
Comeuppance
PO Box 7073
Sudbury
CO10 7WN
UK
Should make an interesting Forum piece, if we upload it for all to see.....
Many thanks, Rachel
written by Sharon Harris , March 08, 2010
Oh no, I wouldn't have got it INSTEAD of him. This was just a copy sent to his employer. So undoubtedly Steve would have received a copy at the same time. From memory, his feature about 'Stepney kids' was described as a 'really beautiful piece of writing'. There is also something about him being a Derby hope that doesn't quite stay the course (!!??!!). Those comments will probably ring some bells with him. Anyway, I'll send it over with the next family member who ventures to England in the next two or three weeks.
written by Mike Johnston , March 09, 2010
You are welcome to keep those items Steve but if you don't want them cluttering up your cupboards then I will happily find them another home if you wish to send them back to me. I hope they brought back some happy memories.
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