Protecting the Band
Protecting the Band
Hello Fellow Heepsters,
There are many stories to be told about keeping a separation between over exuberant fans and members of Heep, during performances and off times as well. One of my favorites is the following. I'm certain Mick and Ken will smile broadly when they read it. Lee would also if the tale were related to him since he was one of the principal witnesses this particular evening.
It was later during the "Demons And Wizards" tour somewhere in central Germany in one of the newer "Halle"s where one memorable Heep devotee, obviously under the influence, kept jumping on to the stage directly in front of Ken's organ and would turn toward the audience and commence to dance in a clownish kind of "clogging" step, very much enjoying himself but to the great irritation of yours truly! The height of the stage over the hall floor was maybe four feet, so it was with little struggle that he and several others were able to make the scramble and keep me and Del busy in getting them back off the stage.
This person was maybe in his early Twenties and had that typical round face and Teutonic features that made him less threatening, but a nuisance none the less. He'd scramble up and do his dance; I'd rush onstage and grab him and force him over the side of the stage. We went through this cycle maybe 7 or 8 times and by this time I was becoming very irritated. As the band began "Gypsy", once again this fellow clambered back onstage as if I didn't exist, and I "snapped"! I ran out and with my left hand raised high in the air, ferociously grasped the back of his neck. I heard gasps of astonishment from fans in the area directly in front of the stage. With a wildly exaggerated circular motion, I swung my right hand directly into the crotch of his pants, slightly lifting him to the tips of his toes.
I now held this poor creature motionless, partly suspended in the air in the space of only a few seconds, and suddenly sensed that I had now become the center of attention. I glanced back at Ken, only a few feet away and saw the amazement on his face. I looked over to Lee who watched with an amazed grin that suggested I throw this villain far out into the crowd! I looked over to Mick who also shared this look of amazement and wonder as to my next move.
By now maybe 10 seconds passed and I viciously thrust the young man to the edge of the stage. The crowd jumped back with even louder gasps, clearing an area maybe 8 feet in diameter, fully expecting me to throw this now-limp and helpless soul through the air. But something of a compassionate nature suddenly overwhelmed me. This moment of absolute and unchallenged power was suddenly an embarrassment for me. Instead, I gently lowered the man off the edge of the stage, releasing him so that he gently slid to the floor of the hall unharmed. I looked him in the eye and smiled. He grinned drunkenly back. And there emitted from the audience a loud cheer for me having not turned that moment of rage into a violent act.
As I turned toward the band on the way back to my duty station, I saw Mick, Gary, David, Lee and Ken laughing at the event that had just transpired. I felt very warm inside, maybe because of a continued sense of embarrassment. But I had no more trouble from that person or his chums the rest of the evening. Just think! That may have been Thommie Muellers Dad!