MORRISSEY - HMV STORE MANCHESTER
THURSDAY, 17 MARCH 1994
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| My full-on diary entry for the day! |
Ever since discovering in the NME that Morrissey
would be coming back to Manchester to sign copies of his wonderful new album
"Vauxhall and I", I had been in a state of euphoria. What would
have been a decidedly awful seven days (due to college hassles and the like)
were made more than bearable by the mere thought of finally meeting dear old
Steven Patrick.
Because I am currently suffering from a severe lack
of cash, I was forced to ring my good friend Neil (McNab) down in London, and
virtually beg him to both buy me a copy of the new album (on LP of course -
more room for Mozzer to scribble on!) and send it to me in time for
Thursday. He very kindly promised to do this, and I thanked him for just
about saving my life.
The few days before the grand affair simply flew
by. I was a little concerned on the night before, however, as my album
hadn't yet come through the post. Luckily, it arrived in good time - on
the morning of the signing session (phew!!).
As soon as I'd taken my precious parcel from the
postwoman, I quickly unwrapped it before shoving on my coat and hat, and rushed
off for a bus to Manchester. I attracted a few stares here and there
whilst making my way to Market Street (where the HMV in question is to be
found), as I was attired in black from head to foot. To help lighten my
slightly depressing appearance, I had a very large Morrissey badge on the lapel
of my coat, as well as my treasured (limited edition!) SHOPLIFTER carrier
bag, which contained my equally beloved album.
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| Elvis The Shoplifter Pelvis Bag |
I eventually got to HMV for just after 9.30 am, and was only half surprised to find a crowd of about 40 people there already. I'd unofficially taken the day off college to see my idol, but any niggling worries were banished on seeing so many people already there with hours to go, and I realised that I'd made a very wise decision in going early.
I faced a wait of 8 hours, but I wasn't too
bothered by this. I knew that, should I be both lucky and fortunate
enough to meet Morrissey, then all the waiting would have been more than
worthwhile.
I hadn't been queueing for long when two young
girls came along, armed with a cassette player and a plentiful supply of
alcohol. They were very nice, as it happens, and if it hadn't been for
them I would have found it much more difficult to get through the day. As
well as playing "Vauxhall..." on their tape player (3 times, although
not in succession!), they also played various Smiths and Morrissey tracks which
kept everybody going, and added to the already jubilant atmosphere.
At one point, one of the girls plucked up the
courage to ask me whether I'd appeared in the "Hulmerist"
video. I apparently bear an uncanny resemblance to someone in the video,
and I've been asked on several occasions whether it was me. I had to
inform the enquirer, kindly but very wearily also, that no, it wasn't me.
She seemed quite disappointed by this. Oh well.....
Throughout the day, the queue increased rapidly,
and I congratulated myself on my decision to come as early as possible. At
roughly 4.10 pm, we were finally allowed into the store. On the
screens were scenes from "Hulmerist", which I watched with
interest. "Vauxhall..." was being played also, which was
rather nice. The Security and Store Staff were kept busy putting up
barricades within the store, so as to prevent queue-jumping. I was
becoming extremely excited and nervous by this stage, as I was just over an
hour away from meeting the man who has changed my life totally.
At about 5.20 pm, just as "The More You Ignore
Me..." was being played (backed by a boisterous sing-a-long from some lads
behind me), a great roar came from the very front of the queue, and it seemed
as though a thousand cameras began to snap simultaneously. Yes, MORRISSEY
had appeared (ten minutes early!) and chaos threatened to ensue. But then
the by now obligatory chant of "MORRISSEY, MORRISSEY, MORRISSEY"
started up, to the usual tune of "'Ere We Go", and just about the
entire store took up the ditty.
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| Nearly there! |
I strained to catch a glimpse of Morrissey as the queue slowly began to move forward. The fans were allowed through in bunches of about ten to meet Mozzer and get their albums signed. I watched them eagerly approach the god-like one, situated behind the counter at the far end of the store, and knew it would soon be my turn. I pushed myself forward all the while, in revenge for all the insolent fools who had jumped the queue earlier whilst outside, and who had, as a result, managed to get inside the store before me.
The security was incredibly tight, and the tannoy
kept announcing that only the new album would be signed, as well as only one
item per person. As I came towards the end of the barrier, I felt as
though I would faint. At last, I was allowed through and snapped away
furiously on a borrowed camera as Morrissey came into full view. I also
took a few photos of Jake, Mozzer's good friend. He looked rather unhappy
most of the time. Morrissey, on the other hand, was beaming away, rather
like me.
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| Morrissey hanging out at HMV Manchester |
What happened next was that I finally met Morrissey, after Five years of trying! And it went something like this:
ANGIE:
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Hi! Erm, can you put "To Angie, Love MORRISSEY"?
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MORRISSEY:
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[Already having written
"MORRISSEY" at top of cover, is now proceeding to scribble
"Wishes to Angie"]
Is it with a "J"?
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ANGIE:
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No, with a "G".
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MORRISSEY:
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Oh, Angela.
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ANGIE:
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No, ANGIE. I don't like Angela, because my Mum calls me
that!!
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MORRISSEY:
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[Smiling as he finishes autographing
album. Looks up and peers]
Are you from Huddersfield?
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ANGIE:
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[Grinning Maniacally]
I am, Yeah.
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MORRISSEY:
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[Picks up album, and pretends to bring it
crashing down on my head. This action is accompanied by a mock
reproving look. Hands me album and leans forward]
You're the Spy, aren't You?
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ANGIE:
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[Still beaming from ear to ear]
Yeah. Erm, could I give you a kiss?
|
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| My Signed Vauxhall and I |
Morrissey nodded at this point, and put his face forward. I had to go on tip-toe as I'm of a somewhat petite stature (5 foot 4), then I kissed him on the cheek.
I'm afraid I really can't remember what happened
immediately after this, as my mind has gone completely blank. But I think
I was gently ushered away by one of the many Security Guards present, and shown
to the exit. I was shaking uncontrollably when I emerged into the
daylight. Morrissey had actually REMEMBERED me, from the
days when I used to ply him with mad reviews of his gigs that I'd attended
(whilst still living in Huddersfield, from where I originate), as well as
countless deranged letters. He actually KNEW who I was,
which I never thought he would. It was a real honour that he had
recognised me, and I'll always remember just how nice a feeling that was.
I had to walk round to get back onto Market
Street. I took several more photos at this point, of the front of the
store and of the crowds of people still patiently waiting for the chance to get
inside the store and meet their guru. I was still in a dazed state, and
couldn't stop smiling. I met up with two fans who had been in the queue
with me all day, and we chatted avidly about meeting Morrissey. I took a
photo of them, then bade them farewell before walking down to the Arndale
Centre in order to make my way home.....
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| Adoring masses outside HMV |
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| Lovely couple I met in the queue |
It was my life's ambition to actually meet and talk to Morrissey, as opposed to just seeing him at a gig. Now that I have, I would be quite content if fate decided that I had served my time on this wretched planet. Oh no, I forgot about getting my degree and becoming Morrissey's Manager! Suppose I'll have to stick around for a bit longer then! Anyway, I'm eternally grateful to Morrissey for providing the opportunity to meet him, and I'm only sorry that I forgot to give him the postcard I'd written for him. Heck, and I didn't even say "Goodbye"! Never mind, I'll forever treasure our brief yet entirely sweet meeting.....
ANGIE J. LEWIS
Manchester, ENGLAND
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| Collage of The Day I Met Morrissey |
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| Appearance in "True to You" fanzine Part 1 |
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| Appearance in "True to You" fanzine Part 2 |
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