The Butterfly Collector

 

Ah The Jam.

I love a good band t-shirt and I couldn't resist this one from ebay, although as the weather gets cooler its hidden under a few layers.

Just like my memories.

My rule is I will only wear a band t-shirt if I have seen the act.

And I did see The Jam. Twice.

One concert in 1980, but the best meeting took place when I attended the soundcheck beforehand.

I have to confess I thought they were OK, but my school pal Lisa was a mega fan of The Jam, especially Bruce Foxton.

One day during the October half term holidays in 1979 we caught the number 38 bus into Manchester city centre and dashed to the Virgin Megastore where we invested our hard-earned cash in Jam albums. 

I bought Setting Sons. Lisa bought In The City.

When I got home to my tiny room (dad had made it by dividing the front bedroom into two for my brother and I), I flipped the lid on my record player and placed the creaky needle on the first song.

And then I was hooked too.

I played it again and again and again.

My favourite track was The Butterfly Collector.

I loved the way the song went from fast to slow and quiet to loud.

I didn't realise it was about a groupie.

I was 13.

The following week I managed to scrape enough money together to return to buy a ticket for The Jam's upcoming concert at The Apollo in Manchester. 

I grew up without a car so it would mean two buses.

The big day dawned in late November and it was a foggy morning which got worse and worse and worse.

It was a real pea-souper.

When I got back home from school I could hardly see my house in the road.

Mum was waiting for me.

I couldn't go.

I cried. 

I stamped my feet.

She was worried the buses would be called off and I would be stranded on the other side of Manchester.

I had to phone my friend and her big brother agreed to buy my ticket and take her.

I think that was the day I realised how deprived I was not having a big brother.

Fast forward a year later to 1980 and the new Sound Affects album was added to my collection.

We bought concert tickets from Virgin records again and I crossed my fingers.

The day was a Friday. 

A school day.

For the first time in my life I skipped school.

We stayed on the number 38 bus and continued to Manchester, making our way to The Apollo.

It was freezing. 

We queued outside for ages.

And ages.

And then the tour bus arrived and the band walked out and made their way into the venue.

It was like something out of a film.

That glimpse was enough for me.

But Lisa was not satisfied. 

She told me about something called a soundcheck  - you know these things if you have an older brother - so we stayed behind and managed to get in to watch the band check the sound.

We stood by the front of the stage while the band played a few songs.

And swore.

Quite a lot.

And then they came to talk to us.

Close up they seemed so much smaller and thinner than on the photos.

 I had no paper or a pen but a man gave me a Swan match box which I tore open and he lent me his pen so I could get their autographs on the scrappy piece of cardboard.

By this time I had to agree with Lisa, Bruce Foxton was definitely the most attractive.

Two buses home, a quick change and Lisa's big brother picked us up in his new car.

The concert was magic.

Loud and sweaty and full of energy.

My first  proper concert  - if you don't count Mike Sweeney and The Salford Jets at the Civic Centre - which I didn't!

That night I had the best time of my 14 years of life.

Ever.

Until Lisa climbed on the stage and was escorted off by a man to the side.

Now I was all alone in a Strange Town.

There were no mobile phones then.

Panicking and making my way though the crowds who were all heads and shoulders above me I eventually got outside to find  Lisa's big brother waiting.

It felt like I really did have a big brother looking out for me.

Lisa was in the back of his car.

We chatted all of the 10 miles home vowing to do it all again the following year.

But we never did.

When I was pregnant with my eldest child I prayed he would be a boy as I think every girl should have a big brother.

And for one magical moment I almost had.

My prayers were answered and he has been the best big brother to his sister.

Today I wore:

Boots - M & S

Skirt - Top Shop from charity shop

T-shirt - ebay

Fleece - Sweaty Betty

Jacket - Zara