A MOST AMUSING ANGLE
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STAMPING-GROUND
To set the ball rolling, it would be best for me to mention the fact that I'm a cartoonist.
First cartoon published was in 1998 and I sign my work as GG, my initials.
Before this, back in the 1970's when I used to draw for my own creative amusement, I stylised the GG signature into "eyes".
In 1990 I then got the idea to base the GG eyes on the Picasso painting above, using a rubber stamp.
So I improvised my first attempt by whittling a school eraser and added the year (GG90 & GG96 examples).
I next opted to ditch the year and settled for just GG.
After a while, however, bits of these homemade stamps would break off and I'd have to whittle another one swiftly.
To remedy this problem I finally decided to have a proper one made by a company who produced professional stamps - and that's what I've been using ever since.
Should I have to attend my first ever book signing in the future, I'll bring my stamp along and it'll be effortless.
No writer's cramp for me!
First cartoon published was in 1998 and I sign my work as GG, my initials.
Before this, back in the 1970's when I used to draw for my own creative amusement, I stylised the GG signature into "eyes".
In 1990 I then got the idea to base the GG eyes on the Picasso painting above, using a rubber stamp.
So I improvised my first attempt by whittling a school eraser and added the year (GG90 & GG96 examples).
I next opted to ditch the year and settled for just GG.
After a while, however, bits of these homemade stamps would break off and I'd have to whittle another one swiftly.
To remedy this problem I finally decided to have a proper one made by a company who produced professional stamps - and that's what I've been using ever since.
Should I have to attend my first ever book signing in the future, I'll bring my stamp along and it'll be effortless.
No writer's cramp for me!
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FUN & GAMES
I do both hand drawn cartoons and gags done on computer.
Here's 2 examples...
The ink one managing to take the mickey out of Mickey, and the computer one managing to drive whizz kids crazy!
These 2 were published in Readers Digest - the owls in 2008 and the cube in 2009.
Here's 2 examples...
The ink one managing to take the mickey out of Mickey, and the computer one managing to drive whizz kids crazy!
These 2 were published in Readers Digest - the owls in 2008 and the cube in 2009.
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A SIGN OF THE TIMES
Not far from where I live, there is a delightfully wicked sounding placename called Drinkers End.
So I took this photo of the signpost, but giving the impression of it being seen through the eyes of a drunkard!
So I took this photo of the signpost, but giving the impression of it being seen through the eyes of a drunkard!
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HUGE HEDGEHOGS
Back in 2012, my brother visited London to try out his new camera. I asked him, if he spotted them, could he take a couple of snapshots of any nice examples of graffiti for me.
Sure enough, a few days later a CD arrived through the post, choc-a-block with new London graffiti and street art.
One of the photos was of the giant hedgehog done by ROA.
This then reminded me of 2 other oversized hedgehogs that cropped up in the 1970's.
Monty Python had Spiny Norman, a large hedgehog running around London, animated by Terry Gilliam of course.
And cartoonist, Ed McLachlan, had his enormous hedgehog do a vice-versa on motorists.
Sure enough, a few days later a CD arrived through the post, choc-a-block with new London graffiti and street art.
One of the photos was of the giant hedgehog done by ROA.
This then reminded me of 2 other oversized hedgehogs that cropped up in the 1970's.
Monty Python had Spiny Norman, a large hedgehog running around London, animated by Terry Gilliam of course.
And cartoonist, Ed McLachlan, had his enormous hedgehog do a vice-versa on motorists.
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GG v Michael Jackson
Sometime around the early 1990's, I used to get humorous letters published I sent into the music press.
They were usually based on what was topical in the music scene and always a bit of a giggle. My pseudonyms too!
For some reason I didn't keep them all, I only have a couple of examples stashed away now.
Looking back, I think this was me getting a bit of punchline practise for future cartooning exploits!
Anyway, the one here was in the NME and refers to Michael Jackson's "Black or White" video which came out in 1991, the track taken from the "Dangerous" album.
Luckily for me, he didn't spot me in the crowd a few years later taking a picture of him the day he was performing in Birmingham city centre.
Don't think I could outrun a panther!
They were usually based on what was topical in the music scene and always a bit of a giggle. My pseudonyms too!
For some reason I didn't keep them all, I only have a couple of examples stashed away now.
Looking back, I think this was me getting a bit of punchline practise for future cartooning exploits!
Anyway, the one here was in the NME and refers to Michael Jackson's "Black or White" video which came out in 1991, the track taken from the "Dangerous" album.
Luckily for me, he didn't spot me in the crowd a few years later taking a picture of him the day he was performing in Birmingham city centre.
Don't think I could outrun a panther!
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THE JOURNAL OF SILLY
Here's a bundle of magazines dating from 1998 to 2000 called The Journal Of Silly.
These were put together by cartoonists, Ham Khan & Knife and each issue was loaded with gags by a variety of cartoonists, from start to finish, no other content involved.
They came out every 3 or 4 months and if you subscribed you got a free pack of postcards. I've used up most of mine but the examples on show here are the ones that have survived.
They also had Terry Jones from Monty Python do the ads (he being a subscriber to Journal Of Silly) and they would appear in Private Eye mag.
Although Journal Of Silly ended in 2000, both Ham and Knife are still cartooning, with Knife also being the chap who devised the kids TV cartoon character, Fleabag Monkeyface.
These were put together by cartoonists, Ham Khan & Knife and each issue was loaded with gags by a variety of cartoonists, from start to finish, no other content involved.
They came out every 3 or 4 months and if you subscribed you got a free pack of postcards. I've used up most of mine but the examples on show here are the ones that have survived.
They also had Terry Jones from Monty Python do the ads (he being a subscriber to Journal Of Silly) and they would appear in Private Eye mag.
Although Journal Of Silly ended in 2000, both Ham and Knife are still cartooning, with Knife also being the chap who devised the kids TV cartoon character, Fleabag Monkeyface.
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STEADMAN v SCARFE
I suppose Ralph Steadman and Gerald Scarfe would have to be considered heavyweights in the ring of UK cartoonists.
They came to prominence in the 1960's simultaneously, both being major players in the likes of Punch and Private Eye.
The dynamic duo also have similar drawing styles with all that scratchy nib work, lots of ink blobs and airbrush spatter.
Both have also since gone on to create allsorts of wonderful material in a wide variety of areas.
These 2 publications here reveal the pair have even been involved with books carrying the same title too!
The first "Drawing Blood" book dates from 1994 and is a compilation of cartoons by a variety of cartoonists all of which were done for Amnesty International. Needless to say it deals with rather heavy subject matter and Ralph Steadman did the cover artwork.
The second "Drawing Blood" book is all the work of Gerald Scarfe - an anthology covering his 45 year history in fact. And this hefty publication is dated 2005.
They came to prominence in the 1960's simultaneously, both being major players in the likes of Punch and Private Eye.
The dynamic duo also have similar drawing styles with all that scratchy nib work, lots of ink blobs and airbrush spatter.
Both have also since gone on to create allsorts of wonderful material in a wide variety of areas.
These 2 publications here reveal the pair have even been involved with books carrying the same title too!
The first "Drawing Blood" book dates from 1994 and is a compilation of cartoons by a variety of cartoonists all of which were done for Amnesty International. Needless to say it deals with rather heavy subject matter and Ralph Steadman did the cover artwork.
The second "Drawing Blood" book is all the work of Gerald Scarfe - an anthology covering his 45 year history in fact. And this hefty publication is dated 2005.
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POINTS OF VIEW
I took this photo a couple of years ago when having a traipse around town.
It's almost like a visual equivalent of an oxymoron.
I mean, beauty and barbed wire just don't go together!
It's almost like a visual equivalent of an oxymoron.
I mean, beauty and barbed wire just don't go together!
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THREE POINT TURNWay back in the early 80's, I used to go to lots of gigs at a venue in Edinburgh called the Nite Club.
One of the many acts I caught there was a band from Japan called, Plastics. They were an edgy new wave act with an occasional slice of humour, and they were very entertaining on the night. I even had their album in my collection too. Anyway, I still have lots of music magazines from back then and this Plastics advert here from 1981, displays a nice touch of wit. As you can see along the top, they use an anagram x 3 to convey a message that equates to... "Japanese band release their first single which is available at an affordable price". |
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A SPECIAL BRAND OF HUMOURIn 1976, when I was living in Dundee and punk fashion first started to generate a stir with people who didn't understand the style, I too wore a garment that triggered an adverse reaction.
I bought this T-shirt (illustrated here) which featured the slogan "I Love Unorthodox Behaviour" on the front. The slogan is nothing now of course, but back then it seemed to annoy certain unenlightened blokes. I didn't buy it specifically to trigger this response, but every time I wore it, the damn wording would always attract these numbskulls over who would get agitated just because they couldn't make out what it was all about! They'd desperately try to tag me as a punk, or a lefty, a rebel, a geek, a fascist, coming out with all sorts of nonsense like this. Having a good sense of humour however, I was always amused by these encounters, especially seeing the stroppy state some of them would get into as a consequence of me knowing something they didn't know. But the good news is (and this reveals the difference between being musically aware and being out of touch) I did experience one instance when someone DID know what the wording was referring to. I wore it once when I was shopping in Forbes, a Dundee record shop that specialised in jazz, and when I went over to the counter, the guy who worked there, as calm as you like said "Oh, I like your Brand X t-shirt" For that is what it was. This was the only time someone knew what the wording pertained to and at long last, no hassle to accompany it! |
Yes I bought this t-shirt from a mail order company back in '76.
Brand X were a jazz-rock band that had just released their debut album called "Unorthodox Behaviour" - and I thought it was an excellent LP, so I decided to get the merchandise to go with it. I also reckoned there probably wouldn't be anyone else wearing the same t-shirt in Dundee, knowing that they were not available in any local shop, so I liked the obscurity aspect of it too. That's all it was though, just a t-shirt with an album title on it. But blimey, talk about getting a reaction - "Never Mind The Bollocks" was like a wee kiddies record in comparison! |
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THE MISSING LINK
I did have a couple of these postcard books but one of them has since been completely used up, making this one here the only survivor.
They are the work of illustrator/artist, Graham Rawle, with "Lost Consonants" being a series that was published in the Guardian around the early 1990's.
One missing letter in the captions and the tangent takes you to an array of weird scenarios as a result!
They are the work of illustrator/artist, Graham Rawle, with "Lost Consonants" being a series that was published in the Guardian around the early 1990's.
One missing letter in the captions and the tangent takes you to an array of weird scenarios as a result!
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I've had these Tony Hancock cassettes since the early 90's, although the actual recordings go back to the 1950's/60's obviously.
The cases are double packs, so 2 tapes in each, amounting to 4 episodes per case.
I will get round to digitising them eventually.
These radio shows are always something to look forward to, no matter how many times they've been tuned into. As soon as the signature tune starts, the smile on my face is activated.
Then on a trip to Birmingham around 2005, I encountered this TH memorial which also brought a smile to my face, even if Tony himself was looking rather pissed off.
I had to take a picture.
Here he was, having a cuppa, miserable, trapped inside a b&w telly, while all around him modern city centre life was whizzing by.
The cases are double packs, so 2 tapes in each, amounting to 4 episodes per case.
I will get round to digitising them eventually.
These radio shows are always something to look forward to, no matter how many times they've been tuned into. As soon as the signature tune starts, the smile on my face is activated.
Then on a trip to Birmingham around 2005, I encountered this TH memorial which also brought a smile to my face, even if Tony himself was looking rather pissed off.
I had to take a picture.
Here he was, having a cuppa, miserable, trapped inside a b&w telly, while all around him modern city centre life was whizzing by.
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SWEET & SCOUR
Tony Hancock having a cup of tea reminded me of this...
Quite a few years ago, I bought a new set of teaspoons that had bubbles in the shaft part, making them look nice, clean and fresh.
This sparkly appearance, however, was only to last a couple of weeks I discovered.
It didn't take long to notice that the chrome plating was starting to flake as well as become tarnished. The difference between the base end and the top was plain to see.
The spoon part itself also quickly became discoloured to the point that it seemed like a layer of rust was eroding them away.
Not sure if the manufacturers had a sick sense of humour or not but they had the audacity to stamp each one with "STAINLESS STEEL" on the neck!
I took this snapshot before chucking them in the bin!
Quite a few years ago, I bought a new set of teaspoons that had bubbles in the shaft part, making them look nice, clean and fresh.
This sparkly appearance, however, was only to last a couple of weeks I discovered.
It didn't take long to notice that the chrome plating was starting to flake as well as become tarnished. The difference between the base end and the top was plain to see.
The spoon part itself also quickly became discoloured to the point that it seemed like a layer of rust was eroding them away.
Not sure if the manufacturers had a sick sense of humour or not but they had the audacity to stamp each one with "STAINLESS STEEL" on the neck!
I took this snapshot before chucking them in the bin!
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GG v BLUE NOTE |
In 1994, Blue Note set about re-releasing old jazz classics from their back catalogue, letting loose all this juicy material to a new generation, and so I ended up buying a few from the series.
The LP above is one such reissue from back then - Bobby Hutcherson & Harold Land's "San Francisco", which originally came out in 1970. The thing is, when I was listening to it whilst looking at the sleeve notes (written by Ira Gilter), I couldn't help notice that what I was reading, wasn't matching what I was hearing. For instance, it says "The journey of Goin' Down South is begun with simple electric bass figure and cowbell rhythm before Land's tenor develops the theme". Well, this didn't describe that track at all, this was how the tune Prints Tie sounded. Then about the Prints Tie track the sleeve says "...showcases the flute-vibes sound in front of an active bossa beat". Nope, that's a description of A Night In Barcelona..!! And the same kind of thing with the others. That meant that either the track titles on the LP were wrong, or Ira's details were in a muddle. So not knowing which way round it was, I boldly wrote off to Blue Note in the States in '94 highlighting this inconsistency. Much to my amazement, I actually got a reply, not only that but it was from the label's main man, Michael Cuscuna! That is what the letter is. Funny to think that these sleeve notes by Ira had been kept in their mixed-up condition for quarter of a century, and yet still nobody at Blue Note noticed until after the re-release, when it was then too late to correct them second time out! |
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GREAT BORES OF YESTERDAY
This Book Of Bores came out in 1976 and is the work of cartoonist, Michael Heath, who had a regular spot in Private Eye with a feature called "Great Bores Of Today", this publication being a compilation of the series.
The gist of the series is - there would be a scene where somebody would drone on and on, dropping cliches and spouting crap about a particular subject, much to the disinterest of nearby folk having to put up with the bore.
One of the scenes in the book takes place in a record shop with one bloke blabbering on about funk music to another guy who has his headphones on.
That scene reminded me of another record shop bore, only it was a full page advert that cropped up in the NME in 1979.
The guy in the ad is what youthful music journalists termed "a boring old fart", and he is trying to educate one of the punks by name dropping a rather obscure musician, Anthony Phillips, who used to be a member of Genesis.
The advert was for Arista Records.
The gist of the series is - there would be a scene where somebody would drone on and on, dropping cliches and spouting crap about a particular subject, much to the disinterest of nearby folk having to put up with the bore.
One of the scenes in the book takes place in a record shop with one bloke blabbering on about funk music to another guy who has his headphones on.
That scene reminded me of another record shop bore, only it was a full page advert that cropped up in the NME in 1979.
The guy in the ad is what youthful music journalists termed "a boring old fart", and he is trying to educate one of the punks by name dropping a rather obscure musician, Anthony Phillips, who used to be a member of Genesis.
The advert was for Arista Records.
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SEAL OF APPROVAL
Ad agencies ought to use cartoonists more often in their campaigns, because on the odd occasions when they do, even if the product is of no interest, we do at least get a bit of amusement out of it, unlike when they use celebs!
This billboard caught my eye a few years back - a threatening scene on ice, with a nice cheery conclusion.
This billboard caught my eye a few years back - a threatening scene on ice, with a nice cheery conclusion.
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TEA BREAK TRAVEL
One afternoon when I was having a tea break, I decided to flatten the foil wrapper of a Tunnock's Teacake, just out of curiosity.
When I did, I couldn't help notice a resemblance to the Japanese Naval Ensign, me having a book about flags.
This then reminded me that I have a vintage belt that has the same design on it too.
So during the course of a cup of tea my mind jumped from a biscuit, to a flag, to a belt, via Japan!
The photos follow the same sequence ending with a shot of me wearing the Japanese gear.
When I did, I couldn't help notice a resemblance to the Japanese Naval Ensign, me having a book about flags.
This then reminded me that I have a vintage belt that has the same design on it too.
So during the course of a cup of tea my mind jumped from a biscuit, to a flag, to a belt, via Japan!
The photos follow the same sequence ending with a shot of me wearing the Japanese gear.
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OXFORD 2002
This was a "blink and you'll miss it" kind of event, being on for just over one week.
The modest presentation was titled the British Cartoonists Exhibition and was tucked away in a room near Oxford bus station in 2002.
I seem to remember Clive Goddard was the main chap who organised it.
The pink item above is the flyer advertising it and the yellow item is the exhibition catalogue.
Although I made the effort to visit the show, as you can see on the other item which was featured inside the catalogue, nobody else could be bothered!
The modest presentation was titled the British Cartoonists Exhibition and was tucked away in a room near Oxford bus station in 2002.
I seem to remember Clive Goddard was the main chap who organised it.
The pink item above is the flyer advertising it and the yellow item is the exhibition catalogue.
Although I made the effort to visit the show, as you can see on the other item which was featured inside the catalogue, nobody else could be bothered!
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GOSH! COMIC SHOP
Just thought I'd put up this photo of the London comic shop, Gosh!, because it's no longer there.
I took this picture in July 2003 when it housed the Cartoon Gallery downstairs.
The snap was taken at their address in Great Russell Street but they have since moved to larger premises in Berwick Street.
I took this picture in July 2003 when it housed the Cartoon Gallery downstairs.
The snap was taken at their address in Great Russell Street but they have since moved to larger premises in Berwick Street.
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BIG YIN BOOKWhen Billy Connolly shot to fame in the 1970's, Scottish newspaper, Sunday Mail, got in on the act by having a cartoon strip featuring the comedian.
It was called The Big Yin (Billy's nickname) and was drawn by cartoonist, Malky McCormick, who also made cameo appearances as the Big Yin's sidekick. The strip started up in 1975 and the stories would be centred around a news event each week. It was also written in the Glasgow language so it was really only Scots who would understand the words! Even when the Queen cropped up, it was a posh font used in her speech bubble, but still written in Glaswegian. This book was published in 1977 and is a compilation of some of the strips that were published in the newspaper '75 to '77. |
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BIG FUNThis book makes you watch your step when out in the streets!
It's called Little People In The Street and showcases the art of Slinkachu, published in 2008. It features all sorts of dramas taking place in the street involving characters that are only about 4cm in size. So you have a drowning accident in a puddle, jogger stuck in chewing gum, a bloody fatality involving a safety pin, a worker with chainsaw cutting weeds, that kind of thing. All this action going on down by your feet! Great models, nice photos, a good laugh. |
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This is a rather obscure little book called The Cartoon Studio.
It came out in 1998 and this is issue 1.
In fact, I'm not sure there were any other issues that followed it, I reckon this was the only one.
It is themed "Planet Of The Dogs", so all the cartoons were canine based and it was edited by Mark Savage.
It has my vultures feeding on an upturned safari jeep on the title page.
I like these fanzine style books, they have a sort of homemade quality about them and thoughts of being a commercial exercise are not always the priority.
Having said that, I kept the Zebra royalties contract I signed on 1 July 1998 - and I'm still waiting on the first payment to arrive!
Some publishers can be so slowwwww!!
It came out in 1998 and this is issue 1.
In fact, I'm not sure there were any other issues that followed it, I reckon this was the only one.
It is themed "Planet Of The Dogs", so all the cartoons were canine based and it was edited by Mark Savage.
It has my vultures feeding on an upturned safari jeep on the title page.
I like these fanzine style books, they have a sort of homemade quality about them and thoughts of being a commercial exercise are not always the priority.
Having said that, I kept the Zebra royalties contract I signed on 1 July 1998 - and I'm still waiting on the first payment to arrive!
Some publishers can be so slowwwww!!
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I first saw Ivor Cutler when The Beatles "Magical Mystery Tour" was screened on TV in the late 1960's.
Being still primary school aged, however, I was unaware of who he was and what he did. It wasn't until later in the 70's, via John Peel, that I discovered Ivor made records, published books etc.
Much later after that, I then found out he also used to be a Private Eye contributor in the 60's!
I now have a few Ivor Cutler items in my collection and this one here is a vinyl LP he released in 1983 called Privilege.
Typical Cutler variety of material - moody songs, nonsense poetry, daft stories and so on.
Being still primary school aged, however, I was unaware of who he was and what he did. It wasn't until later in the 70's, via John Peel, that I discovered Ivor made records, published books etc.
Much later after that, I then found out he also used to be a Private Eye contributor in the 60's!
I now have a few Ivor Cutler items in my collection and this one here is a vinyl LP he released in 1983 called Privilege.
Typical Cutler variety of material - moody songs, nonsense poetry, daft stories and so on.
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ON TOUR WITH PINK FLOYD
Back in 1978, I cancelled a planned holiday in Spain in favour of going to see Bob Dylan play at Blackbushe Festival.
Then in 1980, I had another clash of dates.
I had made plans to go see Pink Floyd perform "The Wall" at Earls Court and also made plans to travel around Europe on Inter Rail for 3 weeks - only this time I decided to fit both in.
So I took my Floyd ticket with me and kept it tucked away in beside my passport/money pouch.
During all the fun & frolics I was having in Europe, I would keep on checking that the ticket was still there, hoping it hadn't fallen out when drinking in cafes.
The ticket was also a good icebreaker as I sometimes flaunted it when mingling with people I met.
Returning for the gig was quite a tight schedule as it was 4th August, and I was still in Greece!
Managed to reach Milan by the 6th and arrived back in London on the 8th, the day of the show. Phew!
The show was a double delight because it was Pink Floyd music and Gerald Scarfe artwork.
They had some of Scarfe's original artwork on display in the foyer too. Then of course, it all came to life on stage.
Quite a nice way to round off a great holiday.
Later, in 1982, I saw The Wall again during another holiday. This time it was the movie, and I saw it in Cannes when I was touring France. Complete with French subtitles!
Then in 1980, I had another clash of dates.
I had made plans to go see Pink Floyd perform "The Wall" at Earls Court and also made plans to travel around Europe on Inter Rail for 3 weeks - only this time I decided to fit both in.
So I took my Floyd ticket with me and kept it tucked away in beside my passport/money pouch.
During all the fun & frolics I was having in Europe, I would keep on checking that the ticket was still there, hoping it hadn't fallen out when drinking in cafes.
The ticket was also a good icebreaker as I sometimes flaunted it when mingling with people I met.
Returning for the gig was quite a tight schedule as it was 4th August, and I was still in Greece!
Managed to reach Milan by the 6th and arrived back in London on the 8th, the day of the show. Phew!
The show was a double delight because it was Pink Floyd music and Gerald Scarfe artwork.
They had some of Scarfe's original artwork on display in the foyer too. Then of course, it all came to life on stage.
Quite a nice way to round off a great holiday.
Later, in 1982, I saw The Wall again during another holiday. This time it was the movie, and I saw it in Cannes when I was touring France. Complete with French subtitles!
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