Paul Turner

One day in May 1980, a friend and I heard a song on the radio. Both of us stopped talking and listened. It was brilliant, no song had had such an impression on me until that day. When the DJ said it was 'Messages' by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, we laughed at the name, but from that day, I have listened eagerly for every OMD single release and been disappointed by none.

I lost touch with the friend after attending a few concerts together. He probably still listens to OMD, but as an OMD fan, you feel alone. The feeling that no one else appreciates such great musical talent makes you wonder about either yourself or the rest of the world.

Seeing Pat Fetty's web site made me realise that there was at least one other person in the world who shared the same feelings about the band, and when I heard of a convention I had to get there. After a few cynical comments from my wife about how sad I was and had I got my anorak? I set out to Liverpool.

On arrival, as always when alone and meeting many new faces, it seemed everybody was with someone and I stood around feeling awkward. Pat was one of the first people I met, a very pleasant man, but of course this is HIS web site and I have to say that. As the day went on, I got chatting to people from all walks of life but with this one thing in common, an appreciation for the music of OMD.

A slide show of rare OMD records and CDs reminded me of the days when I would buy a single two or three times to get different covers or versions. All that disappears from your life when a wife and children arrive on the scene and I realised how poor my post 'Pacific Age' collection is (only every single and every album -once).

Like others at the convention, meeting Andy McCluskey at the Pink Museum was a highlight. I have met him before after waiting behind at concerts in my younger days and he remains the friendly person that he was then with a willingness to give time to his fans. This, I realised is the benefit to fans of OMD's only moderate success. I could not imagine such a meeting occuring with Michael Jackson for instance.

The evening arrived along with merchandise sales and after The Messerscmitt Twins who impressed all and the Kareoke which was humourous if not musically brilliant, the OMD disco started.

So many times I have asked for OMD songs at discos only to be told 'sorry we haven't got any'. But this night there was nothing else. Singles, b-sides, album tracks. Some I had forgotten about. These days I tend to stick on a CD for quickness, but when I returned home the old albums were out again.

One negative about the evening though. Neil, if you're reading this. We were told to go out for the bus to Stanlow BEFORE the disco ended. Standing freezing in the car park there was much depression as we heard 'Souvenir' and 'Romance of the Telescope'. Next time (and there has to be a next time!) please allow the disco to finish before dragging us away. As it turned out, the trip to Stanlow was interesting but maybe a little late for some. I couldn't help wondering what the bus driver thought of being asked to take these people to an Oil refinery at 2am to look at it and then return!

After a comfortable nights sleep and a large breakfast, we were off to see the OMD sights, the Gramophone Suite etc. in the City Centre and then out to Meols and the Railway Inn, the famous red telephone box and the beach where the 'Forever Live and Die' video was filmed. Could have done with a bit more time to get a drink in the Railway though Neil!

Then it was back down the M6 to Warwickshire for me and the old albums were out the next day (once the wife was at work!).

Thanks to all involved in arranging the convention. Lets make sure we have one more!