How lovely that Ray has been so obliging to you, Sleepy! But I do think he loves recognizing fans from gig to gig -- he must be very flattered that folks travel a distance to see him over and over again.
Holly, a couple of fans have told me that Ray always remembers a face, if he meets you more then a few times
I'm really happy that he remembers Lola too, and that he has asked about her a few times now.
Good old Lola has had a fair bit of attention at these shows, people have taken photos of her, sat in her - we've even given people lifts in her and I don't mind a bit, it only seems right to let Kinks/Ray fans enjoy her
The Liverpool show was great, although this was the only show that I didn't get to talk to Ray, a little disappointing as it was my last show, but there'll be others!
A few of us waited at the stage door and saw Ray go in, he did aknowledge us but didn't stop this time. And it seems that there was another way out of the Philharmonic Hall as Ray managed to get to his hotel without leaving by the same entrance that the rest of the band and crew left through - and where all the fans were waiting.
It was no secret where his hotel was as people has seen him there and it was very near the venue. I heard that a very small group did catch him for a few autographs as he got out of his car at the hotel, but the vast majority of fans missed him. A few of us briefly considered going into the hotel bar but decided that it wasn't really fair on Ray. Yes, we were a little disappointed to have missed him but I reckon he probably just didn't feel like chatting with fans that night. Enough crew members saw us and knew we were waiting for Ray so I'm sure he knew too and could've talked to us if he'd wanted to. I guess you have to remember that he's just the same as the rest of us - he's only human! Everyone gets tired and we all have days where we'd rather be left alone so I can understand him wanting to go straight back to his hotel. He's done a lot of shows now and all the travelling etc must be tiring, so who can blame him for wanting a night off from signing autographs etc?
It's a shame I didn't catch him though as we managed to sneak Lola 'round to the stage door and park her at the opposite side of the street - I was hoping I might get to show Ray, but there'll be other times.
Ian did come out several times though - for a ciggy - and was very friendly to us all. I got a photo with him but put my foot in it by saying ''Oh, you're quite little aren't you Ian?''
He laughed and said ''I'm sorry about that!'' and I said ''That's alright!''
I was laughing a bit during the photo and it's not an especially flattering one of me, but I'll post it anyhow -
The show was great though! Again, Ray made a point of saying he was in a really good mood and seemed in good spirits, like he has at all the shows I've seen on this tour. He does tend to tell a few of the same jokes everytime but I still find myself laughing! ;D
At the start of every show I've seen on this tour he has walked on to massive applause and always says ''That's alright for Bill but what about me?''
He mentioned Dave 'Death Of A Clown'' Davies several times (in a fond way I may add!) and dedicated A Long Way From Home to him.
He has done his Johnny Cash impersonation (which is actually pretty good!) during every performance of Dedicated Follower...I've seen on this tour.
Last night when he sang Waterloo Sunset he smiled and said to the audience ''This is your song, not mine''
I managed to nab another set list and can see from it that Ray totally stuck to the set last night -
This Is Where I Belong
Autumn Almanac
Dedicated Follower Of Fashion
In A Moment
Sunny Afternoon
See My Friends
Dead End Street
Victoria (full version)
Reading from X-Ray
Twentieth Century Man
Till The End Of The Day
Where Have All The Good Times Gone?
Tired Of Waiting
A Long Way From Home
Waterloo Sunset
Muswell Hillbillies
Oklahoma USA
I'm Not Like Everybody Else (instrumental)
All Day And All Of The Night
Days
You Really Got Me
I might not have talked to Ray but at least I got one of those gentle hand shakes before he left the stage
And here's my fave photo from last night -
I did end up with a cool souvenir last night though...You know how Ray always seems to have a white cup attached to his microphone stand? I've always wondered what was in it...
When Ray's crew were clearing the stage after the show Pete approached one of them (I think this guy might've recognised us as I've asked him several times for set lists and he's always made sure I've got one) and asked if we could have Ray's cup! The guy said ''That cups nothing to do with me'' but he took it off the stand and placed it at the edge of the stage and then walked off - so of course I nabbed it! ;D
It was like some kind of ritual outside as me, Olga, Christine and Susan all passed it around and shared the rest of Ray's drink - I always wondered what he was drinking and now I know!
I haven't washed it up yet but suppose I better at some point, or it might go mouldy!
Anyway, I'm a little sad now that it's all over
I've had a great time at these shows and feel very lucky to have had all those great moments before/after shows with Ray - giving him the painting, a hug, the photos he posed for, the Lola autograph, accepting my painting etc.
And one of the best things has been all the lovely people I've met and swapped stories, photos, emails etc with - should be seeing many of them at the Konevention next month though
I have some lovely fan photos but am never sure whether I should post them without the permission of the people who are in them - will have to have a day of contacting people and asking them if they mind!
P.S - In case anyone cares, Ray's cup came from Tesco's supermarket! ;D
Oh, and one more thing, last night this guy got Ray to sign Dave's book, Kink (when he was on stage, I think.) Not what I'd have asked him to sign but he did sign it!