To The (Previously) Unseen Eye

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There are some photos surfacing showing the way the look and layout of the book “Heart Of The Crowd (A Fan History)” is like. The photos look really lovely, as does the layout of the book. With the release of the book now only a week away, it is getting all rather exciting!

Back in May, Ronnie Gurr messaged me. I had shared a photo of Jim and was saying how much I’d love to get a copy of it from the photographer that took it, but they seemed a pretty big name these days and were asking $1500 a print. And I REALLY don’t have that sort of money.

I didn’t name names. Ronnie was intrigued as to who it was. We got to chatting and somehow ended up on the subject of magazine covers and I mentioned the cover of the Record Mirror from 1980 with an erroneously named Brian McGee (they named him as Mick!) on the cover – in his briefs.

Ronnie told me that the photo of Brian isn’t what he had submitted to be the photo on the cover but it was actually a photo he took of Jim that he thought was better suited to it. And by heck, was it! I was in absolute agreement. I guess the Record Mirror editor thought people would want to see a band member pretty much in their “all-together”…but…well, unless it WAS actually Jim, not me!

Anyway…these photos shared of the book show the photo that Ronnie shared with me. I have just been sitting on this image for months, so desperately wanting to show it but thinking better of it.

I could have asked Ronnie’s permission to post it here but I really didn’t think he’d be wanting me to share it. And, I still have a clearer version of it (still just a snap of it he took on…his living room floor, I guess, considering the carpet I can see in the image I have of it). I still won’t share that one though. It isn’t mine to share. But I hope you can see from how it has been photographed in the pages of the book that it is well braw.

Jim looks gorgeous, as always. I just want to run my fingers through all that hair! OMG! You beautiful man, Mr Kerr! 🥰🥰🥰

In case not obvious, the pic I’m referring to is on the top right corner of the book pages.

Just ONE more thing to be excited about the book for. And I await the chance of getting a really decent copy of this photo from Mr Gurr. He tells me the New Year. I’m counting the days! Tick tock, Ronnie!

UPDATE: currently (and as much as it pains me to link to this site) the book is showing at a discounted rate of £31.19 on Amazon – click HERE to pre-order from the site.

Hurray For Scotland!

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“They’ll be coming” – not exactly the three little words most people will get filled with an overriding sense of joy and the HUGEST avalanche of relief from but…you know…I think we’ve established I’m not “most people”. Lol

But those words on Friday? That’s how they made me feel.

I wasn’t going to go into detail on Friday. I just wanted to put up my own three little words in response and have that be that. But, if any of you reading this is a regular visitor here – you have been witness to what complete and utter angst I have been going through these past months. Tying myself up in knots. Never being able to get past and move on. Having little niggles gnaw away at me constantly.

I have to say I have NEVER been so thankful for football, and more to the point, Scotland winning a match! And making it into the Euros.

I had been counting the days myself, for a completely different reason and thing. It took seven months. SEVEN MONTHS from “Jalopy” to the “Tartan Army”. Seven months that with each passing day, week, month just seemed to get progressively worse.

God knows I tried to brush it aside! But sometimes the more I tried, the worse it got. I honestly don’t need to explain. LOOK AT THE BLOG!

I already feel the little niggles creeping back. “But did he know it was me? I had changed my profile pic to one of me as a ten year old – so if he looks for visual clues for fans then mine wouldn’t have been obvious.” But then I think, “but who else is called LARELLE, you div?! He knew it was you. Stop being an idiot. JUST BE HAPPY.” And I allow the relief to fill me again.

Yep. It’s all very stupid and irrational, I know. But all I could see was him looking at me with that face in Copenhagen. And yes, “Jalopy” happened about a month after the gig. But as time moved on, I kept believing that the jalopy reply was a kind of “sign off”.

I genuinely cannot express enough the amount of relief I had on Friday. I almost couldn’t believe it happened. And then I kept waiting for it to disappear…like I had just dreamed it or imagined it. I just went to have a look again and – it’s still there. I didn’t just imagine it. It actually happened.

And I am so, so happy and relieved. But I still hope you stay around a bit more, Jim. Us fans, we all love you so much! You’ve read the book now. You know how much you mean to us all! Yes, okay, for quite a number it is all essentially about the music and its effects – but you are the man that helped to make it. All of the effect springs from you! And while you are reeling from having to remain grounded from there having been a ton of rescheduling and touring put on hold, we’re all missing it too as fans. But just a small booster. One little antidote to things is you just being around. That we can bounce off each other and keep each other all feeling upbeat and hopeful of things getting better.

I know there are whiney shits. Hell, I’m one of them! But I love knowing that you’re here and you’re with us and that you’re okay. So, please. Don’t be a stranger, Jim. And please talk if you can. To some of us in replies to comments. Or to all of us with a video message or something. We’d take any little morsels you’re willing to offer!

But, finally, personally…one last time. THANK YOU! I absolutely adore you. You know. I mean, geez, I used to say it – long before the book – that if you ever needed a boost to your ego and confidence, just come here. Look at my blog! Look how much you are loved and adored just by me alone.

Bowie’s Friend Who’s A Girl

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A short piece in the latest edition of Uncut Magazine about Dana Gillespie and her new book.

They spoke to her early on in the MainMan podcast series, in which she pretty much described herself as David Bowie’s f*** buddy – well, I guess a bit more than that – but she was emphatic that she was NOT his “girlfriend”. Merely more a friend who just happened to be a girl. “And, sometimes we got a bit…horizontal.” Needs must. Lol

It actually sounded like from her telling of it, that they felt quite kindred and enjoyed a very artistic tete-a-tete. Her relationship with him was certainly vastly different to that of Hermione Farthingale. And it endured for far longer. They remained life-long friends.

Lucky Dana.

Zoom Interview with Raymond Depardon Tomorrow – Conducted By The University Of Glasgow

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There is an interview taking place tomorrow afternoon conducted by the University of Glasgow. They’ll be talking to photographer, Raymond Depardon, about his commission to photograph Glasgow in 1980 for the Sunday Times newspaper. And I will assume the interview will it extend beyond that, but I guess I’ll find out tomorrow.

The interview starts at 5pm and will be viewed remotely online via Zoom. Access is via ticket only. But I believe it will be available for all to view sometime after the interview takes place. In the lead up to tomorrow’s interview, the University of Glasgow posted this video to YouTube, discussing some renowned photographers and their work on capturing Glasgow over the past 150+ years.

I don’t own a copy of Depardon’s book as yet, but I am sure I’ll be investing in a copy after tomorrow’s interview. I certainly have plans to go back to the Oscar Marzaroli exhibition at the Street Level Photoworks gallery at 103 Trongate before it ends on December 20th.

I know a certain person is a fan of the book. He did a post about it some time ago and in one of the more recent photos from…his house? (Dated May 23rd, 2019) there is a copy of the book on the shelf.

Photo taken from Simple Minds Facebook page. I will assume the photo was taken by Jim.

No News Isn’t Always Good News…

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Ah…you know what I was saying in my video(s) yesterday about being mildly gutted if my fan bit is not in the book…well…

Seemingly those who are in it have been receiving emails about it being confirmed that YES – they ARE in the book and that they can see their piece in the book before committing to buying it.

No such email has arrived in my Inbox as yet. I have a sinking feeling!

On top of that, there was something else I had been anticipating happening that didn’t eventuate either.

Today I feel very dejected AND rejected! I don’t need this two days before my birthday! I feel like I’m being kicked while I’m down!

And this was the main reason I grappled about even submitting anything because I KNEW that if I did and my bit didn’t get to be in the book – I’d be gutted. Better to have not bothered was my reckoning. I couldn’t be disappointed about it then. Save myself the heartache.

Silly, I know, but it was the reason behind not putting something in in the first place. Just all those things… I’ve had my five minutes, Jim’s sick to the eye teeth of me, the fans wish I would fuck off and die, I have no idea what to write about, I’m a johnny-come-lately with no real story to tell.

ANYWAY! You just have to keep on keeping on. You just have to keep holding your head up high and just…push on.

COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS!

I was too good for the book! 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

As if.

Perhaps my email just hasn’t arrived yet? Lol. Yeah…

I know. It is what it is. Never mind. I’ll have all the rest of the lovely thing to enjoy. Signed photos. A lanyard that I should have got at Copenhagen on the soundcheck that couldn’t happen! Or at the meet and greets that didn’t take place. An old poster. The certificate of authenticity! Ticket stubs. The fridge magnet! The badge stickers. I wish one of those badge stickers had been the screenshot of Jim on Top Of The Pops in the white jaiket when they were on doing Promised You A Miracle. Lol – I’ve got to take all the small, petty things that make me happy!

MUSTN’T GRUMBLE…

Heart Of The Crowd – Limited Edition Boxed Presentation

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So initially I held off getting the Heart Of The Crowd book on pre-order. I just wasn’t sure I wanted to expose myself to all those stories. I was slowly coming round to it and was starting to think that maybe it would be good. And the £45 didn’t seem too bad. A little more expensive than I had liked (as I said before, the 16 Years book is of a similar volume but was just that more modestly priced at £35) but, you know…I’m sure it would be worth it.

I am glad I had held off because one of the fans on one of the SM groups alerted us to THIS!

The blurb about it reads:

With foreword from Jim Kerr. The Special Box edition is limited to 1,000 copies only and are all individually numbered.

The Special Box edition comes compete with bonus items including: Certificate of Authenticity numbered 1-1000, two rare early black and white photos signed by Jim and Charlie, a plectrum made for Charlie for the 2020 tour, Simple Minds 40 Hits tour VIP pass with lanyard, Simple Minds 2020 fridge magnet, sticker sheet with 24 badges, replica Saturday Night Live ticket from 1985, replica BBC In Corcert ticket from 1979, replica Mars Bar Club flyer from 1977 (I think they mean 1978, I hope they do!), all presented in a box with artwork.

Well…I couldn’t actually resist THIS version and have gone ahead and pre-ordered it. When you make it ultra collectable, of course then you pull me in! I already have the photo of Jim. I got some prints from Laurie Evans just a short while ago and it included that particular photo of Jim. I don’t have any of Charlie (of Laurie’s in print form), so there’s a bonus already.

I won’t lie – I took a steep intake of breath when I saw the cost but it wasn’t like I wasn’t prepared. And I do think given the collectable nature of it and all the bonus content, it is actually a more reasonable price than the standard copy of the book. All of that other stuff for £40 more quid? Sounds bloody decent to me!

So, yes. This special box limited edition is priced at £85 but, in my eyes, better value for money than the standard edition.

I just pray now that my little contribution features in it…but I highly doubt it. There is nothing grandiose in my fan story I have to offer. certainly not what I had submitted anyway.

Yep. I was keeping quiet about it. About the fact I actually DID submit something. But I sat on my hands for months because I felt I had nothing to offer the book as Miss Johnny-Come-Lately “not a real fan – earn your stripes, girly” fan – so…yeah.

I’ll be no doubt desperately disheartened if my little bit doesn’t make it in…but I have had more than my share in recent times. And I’ll love Jim all the rest of my days for being so kind and lovely to me when he did. (Oh, how I miss it! STOP CRYING!!! 😭😭😭)

Nothing could ever mean more to me than that.

So…if you have £85 to burn, have contributed to the book and know you’re appearing in it (some fans already seem to know they are in it) then you MAY just want to splash out. At only 1,000 limited copies, I wouldn’t dilly dally though!

Details on purchasing the book can be viewed HERE