Your best 'meeting Man' Moment

[Mike Burgess]

Must be quite a few out there. One special night in Newport at a venue I can never remember the name of (the Commercial?) me and a coupe of others met all the band briefly, having the usual chats and photos, me having a very 'special' chat with Deke's lady, and then Terry Wiliams kissing me on the forehead for buying one of his CD's. I have never washed since......

[mikes]

There's several great "meeting Man" moments that I can share here ... the best maybe was in the Manufaktur, Schorndorf, Germany. It was the last concert there, before the place was torn down. A place Man have frequented quite often. It must have been way back in the 90's, line-up: Micky, Deke, Martin and Pugwash. I spotted Martin on the way to the dressing room handing him the yellow bit of a Kinder egg with a surprise in it. As soon as they got onstage it was quite obvious that Deke and Martin must have made use of it. At one point Martin tried to hide behind Micky ...

[Rob the Organ]

I had a lovely night in Swansea a few years ago. A dearth of London dates led me to take the opportunity to travel to see the band at the Railmans' Club, Swansea (I figured that at least on home turf, the journey might be rewarded with a guest or two joining the band). I phoned Clive and he confirmed that he was indeed going to join in, and Terry too. I started to investigate train times and hotels.

Clint went one step further and even offered a bed for the night - god bless you, Clive - and so the die was cast. I arrived pretty early and upon seeing me with a backpack, Micky and Martin very graciously let me in to put my kit down and watch the soundtrack.

As a token gift in return for Clive's hospitality I remember tracking a copy of the first New Riders of the Purple Sage LP down for him. Martin took one look at it and said he'd "...been after a copy of that for years. Is Clive expecting it...!"

It was a lovely night, a great gig and back at Clive & Karen's pad the refreshments and tales flowed all night. Clive fried a handsome breakfast the following morning and I was off back to the station. A corking day out!!!!

Perhaps a big highlight for me was also at the first Convention where I met the late and great Ray Williams. A gentleman if ever there was one. I was about 18 at the time and he was so chuffed that someone of my age would ask him to autograph some vinyl!

[NickB]

Having made myself a one-off 'There's only one Micky Jones' tee-shirt, I was approached by Phil Pardoe and asked if I could make up a limited number of them for Man's fundraising gig at the Calsonic Club a few years back. When I asked about delivering  them, I was told to bring them to the club about 5:00pm. This was just about the same time as the band were arriving, so I had plenty of time to chat with Deke, Martin and Micky, all of whom (as we all know) are very down to earth guys.

Deke went to great length to explain to me how German fans, in particular, are very fussy about getting stuff autographed in carefully chosen colours and positions. I took this opportunity to ask if they'd sign some of my stuff which (purely by accident) I'd brought with me. After I'd had my vintage vinyl sleeves signed, I sat back and watched the rehearsal.

A little while later, I had the chance to speak with Micky when he was playing with QuestionMark. He's such an
unassuming guy, saying that he sees all his concerts as simply playing a few tunes for his mates.

All these years later, you still wont find any better music.

[Alan Davies]

I remember (somewhat unclearly) Chatting with Terry Williams & Dave Edmunds at the bar in The Nashville during an Alkatraz gig. (16th May '76 according to Mannerisms.) F**k knows how the conversation went but I do remember The Alkies playing a blinder.

[Martin Daughton]

Alan's vague memory triggered a vague memory of a chat at the bar with Mickey and Martin in the Sir George Robey in Finsbury Park.
Mannerisms says 20th August 1988.
I can't believe that's nearly 20 years ago.

[Rob the Organ]

My mate Pete Stroud (a drummer) gave a good "meeting Man" story on the phone the other day that might well top us all.

He was playing drums in a band called Panic in 1972 and met Man then - when they were the support act at a certain Pa(d)get Rooms date. Beat that!!!!

All the years I've known Pete and he never said anything about being on the bill at the Padget Rooms date. Being there would have been enough, but the opening act.........!!!???

[Mike Burgess]

Also, just remembered being in the Drumworld(? ) shop in Carmarthenquite a few years abck, and Pugwash coming in looking for a new Bass drum pedal, and mistaking me for the manager....

[Pete T]

..at the All's well that ends well tour, in Cheltenham townhall, a spotty teenager from the neighbouring Gloucester, asked if he could have a souveneer of the gig, expecting a drum stick, or plectrum, or autographs, I ended up with an ashtray, used, from the changing room. It advertised Pernod, and was one of those nice plastic/bakelite jobs, in yellow. Presented to me by the one and only Deke Leonard. I still treasure it..

[Rob W]

I'm privileged to have met and spoken with the band at gigs all over the place. I know many of us have.  Highlights being the most recent tour at the Chester gig, had a great craic with  Mr Richards in particular. watching and lstening to Phil Ryan playing that piano in the corner was amazing. Our own little impromptu gig.

But the number one moment was with young Woolfey. We were following he Network Q Rally around Wales, an experience in itself, and within the schedule, managed  an all too brief stop off at a pub in Maesteg, where we sat with the one and only MJ. Intoduced MJ to Marc, and immediately said to Marc, "what do I think of this man". Unprompted, Marc stood up and did the bowing down I am not worthy action.  MJ's face was a picture. I went bright crimson. I'll cherish that memory until my last day. Thanks MJ and thanks Phil Pardoe who sorted it.   

[Alan Davies]

Had a bit of a Man moment today. Went through Taplow on the train, - playing C'mon at the time on the old MP3 jobby. It would have been better if it had been the BITF version not BGTYALOAD (remastered) but whatever, it made me smile.

[Rob the Organ]

Had a bit of a Man moment today. Went through Taplow on the train, - playing C'mon at the time on the old MP3 jobby. It would have been better if it had been the BITF version not BGTYALOAD (remastered) but whatever, it made me smile.

I enjoyed exactly the same feeling on the train home from the Swansea jaunt I spoke about!

Another co-incidental situation was when I went to buy my first Hammond organ. I had to go up to Turnpike Lane on the tube to view it and then my dear old dad and I went and picked it up in a hired van. Well, on the first trip the underground train got stuck in a tunnel at Finsbury Park. It was the anniversary of Graham Bond's death - which occurred at that very station, and the same day I was looking at buying a Hammond. Spooky stuff, especially given Bond's prediliction with the occult!