“What is it?” demands the LTLP, casting searching glances at the unusually-shaped package
“It is some drum sticks. From Pink Floyd’s Nick Mason,” I explain, turning them over in my hands in wonder.
Drumsticks!!! From Pink Floyd’s Nick Mason!!! I am both taken aback and lost in amazement. It is great being an author, comfortable in such celebrity circles. But I am not too big to acknowledge that I am a huge fan of this man who, in many ways, defined the Pink Floyd sound, ensuring that their songs went ‘bom, tish, bom, tish, bom, tish, bom, ba-bom’ rather than ‘bom, tish, bom, tish, bom, tish, bom tiddle-dee-omm-pomm bang boo.’ (I apologise if this is a bit technical; I am trying to draw a balance.)
The drum sticks are signed, with a little message. Honestly, this is the best thing that has happened to me, ever. I resolve to be cool about it, however, and not get carried away.
Later, I go to bed, having practised some air drumming. They would be excellent drum sticks, even without their huge celebrity connection. They make the air sound massive, like a wall of post-psychedelic four-four sound. But I am determined not to get carried away.
My dream that night is that I am the drummer in Pink Floyd. This is a bit odd, as I do not normally dream, and they already have a drummer (who has sent me some drum sticks – see above), but obviously he has been sacked and replaced with me. Paradoxically, I am using my Pink Floyd’s Nick Mason drum sticks to do the drumming with, and luckily I seem to be a much better drummer in my sleep than I am in real life. It is brilliant. We play all their album tracks. Fortunately, I am still being cool and not getting carried away with things.
Disaster!!! One of the drum sticks breaks during a fill in ‘Comfortably Numb.’ The bulby bit at the end snaps clean off, leaving me with one intact drum stick, and a celebrity-signed piece of wood. At this point I wake up with a horrible jolt and there is sweat pouring off me, presumably due to the exertion of drumming in my sleep.
At this point I weigh up whether this is very very sad or not. I decide not, as I am a very grounded person, and not the sort of man to get carried away with some silly Pink Floyd’s Nick Mason drum stick fantasy existence; honestly, this sort of thing I am quite blasé about as it happens all the time.
Later, I see Short Tony in the pub.
“I got some drum sticks from Pink Floyd’s Nick Mason,” I tell him.
Oh my god how did you get them?
something in the air tonight
something in the air tonight
something in the air tonight
I can now guarantee that in Jonny’s dream tonight, he will be the Cadbury’s Gorilla!
(American friends, youtube “Cadbury’s Gorilla Advert)
Jonny, I hust heard you got some drum sticks from Pink Floyd’s Nick Mason. Is it true?
You should meet my cousin. He once got drunk with Led Zeppelin’s Robert Plant. (Trust him to get drunk with someone who couldn’t give him a guitar. Or a set of drum sticks.)
Keith – shh. Yes, but I do not want to go on and on about it.
Richard – in the post, silly!
Oddly enough, I dreamt about Led Zeppelin’s Robert Plant last night. He’d had his hair cut.
Now you can finally provide your own rimshots.
Much more airdrumming in bed, Spazmo, and the LTLP will be happy to stick his drumsticks in his rimshot for him…
That is amazing. *jealous*
Aw, c’mon, stop being cool and tell us EVERYTHING. How, when, where, why.
Or did you buy them on Ebay?
I got some drum sticks from Pink Floyd’s Nick Mason once. He must just post them off to all and sundry. Probably hasn’t got much to do since the break-up.
I think this requires photographic proof.
Ello (Rpt x3)
Good News from Operation Delicate Sounds of Thunder.
Yesterday we broke up yet another Floyd Memorabilia Factory – the ninth this month
Two shipping containers full of autographed Nick mason drums sticks were seized
Asked to comment Mr Mason’s agent said “Nick always wanted to be a drummer when he grew up but knew he couldn’t do both. This has meant he’s never learnt to write his name. Any true fan of the band would know that.”
The BBC is reporting that Nick Mason is recovering well in Norwich hospital after his mugging.
So very cool. Jealous! Would love to see a photo if possible!
I am still laughing at Hamish’s comment. He is right. It is like a form of tourette’s… he posts them to all and sundry, from his care home…
Nonono I cannot post a picture. If I don’t post a picture, they remain a symbolic thing of wonder. If I post a picture, they become just some sticks with writing on them.
Oh dear! I foresee splinters, infected wounds, fever – possible amputation.
Better stock up on antibiotics.
“received.”
I don’t think that word means what you think it means.
Never, EVER trust a man who gets his kicks from hitting things with sticks.
Tell your daughters – NEVER date a drummer!
I like your weblog. Pleasant to read about everything that’s drumming related, what’ve you got upcoming next?