|
Post by elmsliegirl on Jun 9, 2015 6:55:10 GMT
|
|
|
Post by elmsliegirl on Jun 9, 2015 6:59:45 GMT
I am not able to see attachment. Can anyone else?
|
|
|
Post by maddogfagin on Jun 9, 2015 8:07:49 GMT
I am not able to see attachment. Can anyone else? No worries Yvonne, text and image unpacked from zip file and posted below.In a couple of weeks 5 more ancient letters from the young I/A are to be auctioned at Bonhams in their next entertainment memorabilia sale on 24th June 2015. I have also posted another photo here which is quite amusing but not for sale.
I think these letters are historically interesting, despite being lighter on musical references. In part they are more about life-changing decisions and events and some small evidence of the changes that 'making it' can have.
Regarding my own decision making, letters two and three are now quite reassuring. Though at the time not at all. It was clear to me on re reading these two letters (which are significantly different in tone to any previous letters) that they effectively altered the course of my life.
Letter one was sent just prior to J/T's first US tour in early 1969.
Letters two and three written and sent whilst on that same tour.
They are all somewhat indicative of the kind of pressures and uncertainties that this particular period in music history had on many people. Despite the fact that I/A writes in letter three that 'No he hasn't changed'. I think that change was always going to be inevitable. The other significant realisation for me is that that according to my own life events, I retreated from the relationship within days of receiving letter three.
Letter one. Five pages. Endearing, funny, creative and sad because it was the last letter of it's kind before the success that the US tour would bring.
I/A asks that we get married before he goes to America.
He threatens to scatter biscuit crumbs in the bed (could be words from a song)
Implies that I made several holes in the carpet on my last visit (which is untrue)
Offers to buy me new glasses.
Says that he could manage without music but not without me.
That he could give up smoking or shave off his beard or join the civil service but not the army for me. He could take para shooting lessons or even go to parties but not talk to anyone, for me. (eight 'marry' words written in all)
The tour included Led Zeppelin.
Letter two. Two pages only. From the US dated Wednesday 12th of February1969. Disconcertingly I/A writes that I must have given up on him by now, because he hasn't seen or written to me for nearly three months. He reiterates that he is travelling around America 'Just as you want to do' and it's the same as everywhere else. He tells me that they are being quite successful over there and are going back in the summer. That he is returning to England on April the 10th or thereabouts. Says that the record got to number 22 in the English charts and they would have appeared on Top Of The Pops if they had been in the country. Letter three. Two pages, also from the US written on April the 3rd 1969. Mentions four girls who are seemingly attracted by I/A's escalating success. Two in England and two in America. I/A writes that they only serve to tell him that he still wants me. He apologises if the letter sounds big-headed. (In the interest of self-preservation, these two letters were pivotal in making me retreat from what I regarded as a potentially threatening arena. Though the loss of the young I/A to my life seemed insurmountable at one time, I believe that my early fears about the music business were not unfounded and I am certain, in retrospect, that I wouldn't have survived it)
My last visit to Burghley Road, Kentish Town was on the 1st of September 1969.
Letter four, two pages, followed a surprise phone call from I/A wishing me happy birthday and inviting me to a Jethro Tull concert at the Greens Playhouse Glasgow on the 26th of March 1972. The impact of this meeting was not reflected in the letter that followed, written on one 'Friday in April' from Montreal in Canada. Brought confusingly closer in Glasgow than we had ever been, the letter conversely lacks the warmth and creativity of earlier letters. I/A says it was good to see me in Glasgow and hopes that there were 'no unpleasant after-effects'. He writes that they are in Montreal to play a concert at the Forum. Martin is ill and potentially 16,000 people will be disappointed. Complimentary Glasgow concert ticket included. In contrast the fifth randomly chosen two page letter, takes me back to (what I regard) as the much preferred more anonymous years and being made to feel an important part of the creative process. What is touching about some of the earlier letters is that they show the young and relatively unknown I/A to be sensitive and somewhat insecure. It strikes me as sad that I was not equipped to be more empathetic at the time. In this letter he writes that he thinks that I bring him good luck. That he is playing with the top blues band Peter Green at the Marquee, he says he is scared stiff and wishes that I could be there to make it worth trying. Writes that it always makes him try harder when I am there. Tells me to write back soon even if I have nothing to say. signed Ian&erson
In my younger years, more difficult to countenance than the letters, were poignant and recognisable sentiments entombed in songs. One such 'When you hear my sad song singing, remember who and what you nearly had'. I also felt a tentative connection to other darker lyrics. Probably because during my nearly penultimate meeting with I/A at his Baker Street Muse in late 1974 he made an uncalled for effort to convince me that his more recent lyrics at the time did not relate to any specific person, which perversely made me want to look more closely.
This powerful one way communication has little chance of recourse. Though the heart of a relationship is unique and therefore comprehensively recognisable. It could also be argued that sentiments cleverly penned in a song and repeatedly echoed over time, were intended to have a resounding effect on the recipient and perhaps in these uncommon, sometimes less-than sympathetic circumstances, can forever leave that person with a thwarted and frustrated desire to respond.
Bonhams Memorabilia auction takes place on the 24th June 2015. The five letters are (valued at 800-1,000 GBP) included in this lot is the previously unsold, none figurative painting by Ian Anderson (from when we both attended the Blackpool School of Art) 'After-life' ian and yvonne Copyright Yvonne Nicholson June 2015.
Not in the sale is this photo of I/A and myself dancing on Blackpool or Lytham St Annes beach circa 1968. (another from a number of I/A choreographed beach photos) A unique and rather balmy request from one who didn't like to dance with others. This meeting on an otherwise empty landscape captured in a usually busy sea-side town is strangely reassuring. Don't know what was on I/A's mind in setting this up. There are shades of the opening scene, set on a beach in the 'Afterlife' as described in his 'War Child' script. Recollections of long ago discussions on that same theme. The first chronically uncool, cool chat up line 'Haven't I seen you somewhere before? conjuring up romantic, imaginary images of other lives. And finally, as with any 'War'. Left with the thought that 'It must never, ever happen again'.
|
|
|
Post by jangast on Jun 9, 2015 8:09:04 GMT
|
|
|
Post by nonrabbit on Jun 9, 2015 9:00:02 GMT
'After-life' ian and yvonne Copyright Yvonne Nicholson June 2015. Not in the sale is this photo of I/A and myself dancing on Blackpool or Lytham St Annes beach circa 1968. (another from a number of I/A choreographed beach photos) A unique and rather balmy request from one who didn't like to dance with others. This meeting on an otherwise empty landscape captured in a usually busy sea-side town is strangely reassuring. Don't know what was on I/A's mind in setting this up. There are shades of the opening scene, set on a beach in the 'Afterlife' as described in his 'War Child' script. Recollections of long ago discussions on that same theme. The first chronically uncool, cool chat up line 'Haven't I seen you somewhere before? conjuring up romantic, imaginary images of other lives. And finally, as with any 'War'. Left with the thought that 'It must never, ever happen again'. [/i][/quote] Utterly magical.
|
|
|
Post by elmsliegirl on Jun 10, 2015 6:42:46 GMT
Many Thanks Maddogfagin, Nonrabbit and Jangast. (I hadn't read the Bonham's version until just now). I will drop by again nearer the auction day. Yx
|
|
|
Post by nonrabbit on Jun 10, 2015 7:30:23 GMT
Many Thanks Maddogfagin, Nonrabbit and Jangast. (I hadn't read the Bonham's version until just now). I will drop by again nearer the auction day. Yx Please do and all the best with the auction. xx
|
|
|
Post by Tull50 on Jun 10, 2015 20:03:56 GMT
Thank you for sharing this interesting document, which converts the Ian-genius in a young fully earthly. Sometimes we forget that geniuses are people too
|
|
FrontDoorAngel
Journeyman
so take the stage, spin down the ages
Posts: 76
|
Post by FrontDoorAngel on Jun 12, 2015 5:08:18 GMT
Amazing. Thanks to you, elmsliegirl, especially. What an honor it is just to be able to post on the same board with someone who was so close to my lifelong hero and idol.
|
|
|
Post by nonrabbit on Jun 12, 2015 16:44:44 GMT
Well said FDA!
|
|