Hi, my name is David Amendolara, from Ham, Limburg, Belgium; better known on
the mailing list as Eddie Brandblusser. In case you're wondering why i chose
that nick, my friends and I wanted to form a band, and the only thing we
agreed on was the name: Herman Frodiet & De Brandblussers. So we'd all pick
a new name and take on the family name "Brandblusser", sorta like the Ramones.
We never really got to rehearse any songs since the rest were not Heepfans
and i didn't want to play punkrock music.
I became a Heepster after my dad bought the famous Live '73 album. Strange enough, I didn't like the music at first, but I kept listening and I got hooked after all :) I've been trying to promote Heep ever since, with minimal success :(
My favourite Heep experience has to be the very first gig I ever attended: Solingen 1996. My dad and I stood front row and all the fatigue I had started to feel in my legs (Heep came on stage last, after the Bay City Rollers and The Sweet) disappeared the very second I saw Micky Box appear on stage. To date, it is still the best concert of the 5 that I've attended.
To conclude, another fine memory: the second Heepgig I went to (Agai in
Germany, but this time in Cologne I believe) my dad and I were standing
outside the venue (some geezer that worked there made it very clear that
we were NOT to enter before the doors officially opened) and a small crowd
was gathering. All of a sudden Mr. Box and Mr. Bolder came walking by. I
froze completely, unable to say a word. My dad simply said "Hi Mick" and
the two of em came up to me, we shook hands and they signed my "Sea of
Light" booklet, after which I got my picture taken with 'em (unfortunately
it was too dark outside...) and still I wasn't able to say a word. The
chance of a lifetime to tell my all-time heroes what they mean to me, and
I just froze :) Ah well, my time will come, I hope...