I'm Falling, on Down..... Again

What Presence...

In the early 1980's I had started my first job.  My BIG love was music.  My money was spent on LP's, and tickets.  

Glasgow was a maelstrom, a gastronomic feast of sounds, and gigs, and people. 

I loved being at concerts.  The first time we went I was 17 - we got the train to Central Station, and went to the Ingram Hotel and had a Vodka and Coke each.   We were overcome with excitement, downed it in one and almost ran up to Tiffany's.   Simple Minds were Amazing.  

Tiffanys, Barrowlands and the Apollo; all venues which we worshiped at. Simple Minds, Bauhaus, Orange Juice, Aztec Camera, ABC, New Order. The Lotus Eaters,  Big Country, China Crisis.

And so, it was in memory of this moment in my youth, me and K headed up to Paisley Museum today for this exhibition.   I adored them.   It was a history lesson for K - she was only a baby when they were taken.

The photos of Edwin Collins,  he is about 6 years older than me, but he only looked about 15.  I could have cried.   Roddy Frame... Jim Kerr looking exactly as he did, as I hung head first over the balcony at Tiffany's as he walked on stage in 1981.

There were others too, Martin Fry, Jerry Dammers, Clare Gogan, and oddly, Peter Capadli  - lead singer of the Dream Boys, with Craig Ferguson on drums.  They must have slipped past me in my drunken haze. 

While we walked, there was a man walking around.  he seemed to be gauging people's reactions to the photos more than the photos himself.  

I've been Googling the photographer tonight - everything that was written about him is past-tense; but no - he is alive. He suffered a brain aneurysm in 2002, and came back to Glasgow in 2006.  

I'm not sure if it was him, but if it was; I salute you sir, for a fine collection which sparked memories from deep down inside.