NAMEDROPPING

I start at the top and the greatest guitar player in the world. I met the man they call Pat Metheny round the back of the Royal Festival Hall in London following the gig he did with Jack DeJohnette, Dave Holland and Herbie Hancock in 1990. Even though it was Jack's gig, everyone was waiting for THE BOY METHENY to appear which after about an hour he did, shellsuited (I never said he knew how to dress) and guitar case in hand. The others skulked back unnoticed to the tour bus but PAT stayed and chatted very amiably, his relaxed Missouri drawl putting everyone at ease. He is a tad smaller than one would imagine (as most megastars are) but is a jolly splendid chap. Considering he'd just put in a gruelling two-hour set of flawless inspirational jazz he fielded age-old questions with good humour and didn't flinch when some spotty noodlehead presented him with his entire back catalogue on CD and demanded they all be signed.

Not long ago I was lucky enough to get an all-areas pass to a Jeff Beck gig at the Albert Hall. After the show we were relaxing in the backstage bar when I spotted a thin geezer at the bar, suited up and clasping an orange juice. It dawned on me that this was none other than Hank B Marvin, King of the Stratocaster and possibly the most influential British strumster of all time. My good friend Pepster, who thanks to several pints of Stella was more relaxed than the rest of us, suggested he took a photo of us with my mobile phone and duly introduced himself and then me. Having witnessed The Shadows' last-ever gig at the Palladium the week before, I was even more in awe of this guy than usual. He stepped forward and offered his handshake. I mumbled something about having seen him the previous week and he was most gracious in accepting my clumsy efforts at subtle hero-worship. It turned out that Pep hadn't quite mastered the art of digital photography and the the photo never materialised. It matters not. I met Hank Marvin.

For those of you who have had their heads in the sand for the past ten years and don't know, Peter is the doyen of smooth jazz and the UK's top export in the field. Not only that but he has a thriving and highly devoted fan club and whilst on the Smooth Jazz Cruises in 2004, 2005 and 2007 he was gracious enough to put on a show for club members only, in the suite of our president Joan Lynch. in '04 I was fortunate to chat with Peter about an upcoming gig I had and he gave me much valuable advice. He also came down to the ship's lounge to watch me perform at the talent showcase; this was the most nerve-racking thing I've ever done (and I've walked across Hampstead Heath after dark so I've stared danger right in the face) and was most complimentary about my performance. I also stole the idea for this page from his website; check out the museum and the "Famous people I have met" page. Excellent. STOP PRESS Peter has a new UK-based website launching very soon at peterwhite.uk.com

Back in my spotty youth I attended many gigs at Cardiff's now bulldozed and much-missed Capitol Theatre. This was a top venue and hosted all the major acts including The Beatles, who in 1965 played their last-ever UK gig there (not counting that rooftop shambles in London). The Stones also played there the year before, a gig notable because Charlie Watts was shot with an airgun. The Skynyrd gig was recorded for posterity and although they turned in an excellent set it was obvious that the Jack Daniel's had taken its toll and by the time they got into the recording van to review the night's work, lead singer Ronnie Van Zant was completely trousered. As he stumbled out of the van I thrust a pencil and my ticket stub under his nose. He got as far as R-O-N-N- and passed out. Surely a role model for us all. More information about famous Welsh gigs here

MARIE HELVIN & JERRY HALL

In 1988 I attended the premiere of "Scandal" (twenty-two quid a ticket - now that was a scandal). The foyer was awash with celebs including cast members Joanne Whalley (before she married that twat from the Doors movie) and the splendidly trousered John Hurt. We took our seats, sucked our popcorn instead of crunched it and tried to blend in with the crachach. A couple of scantily-clad sorts squeezed their way down our row and settled next to me and my mate Paul. They turned out to be Marie Helvin and Jerry Hall. They were thoroughly courteous, oozed class and I vaguely remember that they scrubbed up quite acceptably.

LES GRAY

During 1982 and my wartime stint as Social Secretary at an undistinguished West London college I had the good fortune to book several jolly splendid acts: Supercharge, Dolly Mixture (they sang on Captain Sensible's "Happy Talk" and would only drink tea, bless) and sixties band The Love Affair, who were excellent (I was also offered The Eurythmics for three hundred quid but I turned them down. What an arse). The highlight, however, were pop legends Mud. Les Gray turned out to be about 5' 4" and a totally charming guy, extremely self-effacing and easy-going. Although Les was the only remaining original band member, they turned in a spirited set of classic pop and rock 'n' roll. Rock on, Les.

JOE LOSS

Shortly after finishing my conscription at the West London Institute I worked in Bristol as assistant manager for a large leisure centre. Although I met some great people there (Rachel, David, Roger, Vic) I also encountered some of the lowest, most corrupt and morally bankrupt stinking filth this planet has surely ever spawned. They know who they are. I did, however, come across the odd true star (and I don't mean Tony Strudwick and his Big Band). One such luminary was Joe Loss, who pitched up with his full orchestra and delivered a towering performance. He was a man of even less stature than Les Gray but every inch was quality. Sporting white gloves and impeccable manners, he was a top gent.

SUPERTRAMP Good chaps, stroppy drummer. AL STEWART Another complete gentleman. JOHN MILES Also a bit stroppy but I think he was tired. ACKER BILK nice man, pie-hot clarinetist. RONALD FRASER He enjoyed an occasional shandy, as I recall. DAVE HOOPER Top man: jolly, green and giant RICHARD BRIERS Great fun. KATHY SMALLWOOD Adorable. PHIL McWALTER What can one say about such a giant? VAZ BLACKWOOD Nice guy. KATE BUSH Grrr...I'd crawl ten miles over broken glass to stick flags in her turds. JOHN OLVER A complete tosser DAVID JASON Another very nice man. EUGE GROOVE Groovy. VIC REEVES & BOB MORTIMER Very funny blokes. FELICITY KENDAL Don't get me started LUCY PORTER As above

Footnote: My sister Liz was once at a party in swinging London which was full of media types and wannabees. She was introduced to a loud-mouthed bloke with curly red hair and twotty glasses. Game to strike up a conversation, she said, "And what do you do?". The bloke tutted and flounced off. Turned out it was Chris Evans. Excellent!

© 2007 - 2008 DAVE HEAVEN