Back in the summer, I toured the UK following Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band’s tour. I managed to catch up with old friends and really have a great time. In London, my buddy Geraint and I had a couple of days catching up on old adventures before the Wembley show. We also saw the excellent Seeger Session Revival Band over from Ireland with a few pints of the black stuff and, just before, we managed to visit the Elvis exhibition too.
Wow!! Just wow!! I have never been so blown away by an exhibition. There were records, clothing, cars, motorcycles, contracts, letters and all kinds of personal stuff on exhibition. We really had the best time. Incidentally, Springsteen has always said that his performances have been influenced by Elvis on the Ed Sullivan Show, which he saw as a child.
I caught up with Gareth in Sunderland in hellacious weather which gave Bruce such a cold that he had to postpone some shows thereafter.
I made friends with a girl my daughters age who had made the trip up from Liverpool. We spoke about the book and she asked me to dance with her to Dancing In The Dark. This has to become a tradition.
Gareth and I have been great friends for forty years. He designed the cover of the book for me, did some fantastic work on the marketing and we both have cinema seats as sofas in our offices. We absolutely share the same love for the weird and wonderful!! It really was great catching up with him. He actually lives around the corner from Sam Fender which is pretty cool, doncha think?
Before the Cardiff concert, I was interviewed by David Barry for a new film coming out called ‘Tramps Like Us.’ This was an awesome experience and it is exciting to see my story getting out there. I went to the Cardiff gig with my wife, Wendy and another old pal, Meinir, but sadly, I can’t find photos of us all together at that one.
Another dear friend, Bel Merriman attended the Cardiff gig, although I didn’t get to see her. I wish I had as that was the last Springsteen gig she attended. She sadly passed away in the summer. Bel was an inspirer. She had seen Springsteen over seventy times in her life and her knowledge helped me with writing my book. She was a massive fan of the book. Whenever another Springsteen fan would visit her, she would bring them over and buy a copy of my book. I will miss her so much.
Born to Run, Bel x
Wembley was a pilgramage. I saw Bruce Springsteen perform there for the first time forty years ago on the Born In The USA tour.
I never drempt that ten years later I would be wheelchair bound and using his song, Dancing In The Dark, as a proverbial crutch to learn to walk again.
I sat next to a girl who had flown over from Spain for the gig. We chatted, became friends, talking about our love for Springsteen, when she grabbed my arm and said “I know you! I have your book!”
This floored me. I really was shocked. My new friend had heard me on Radio 4 and ordered my book. Not only that, she is a surgeon and uses my book as a recovery tool. I was floored once again.
Just like in Sunderland, I danced to Dancing In The Dark with a new friend. My hips and knees held up and I had fun.
I love being part of the Weird and the Wonderul crowd.
It is the greatest place to be.
Sending Big Love to all my friends around the world, those here and those sadly not around no more.
Ian ‘Ianto’ Gravell is a disabled businessman, author and adventurer.
When he is not working, or writing he is riding his motorcycle to exciting places around the world.
Keep tabs on his adventures by reading his blog, newsletter and book
Loose Gravel
Broken Bones, Broken Dreams made good on a Broken Road.
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