Numan fans open up in a book packed with tales from a job for life.
FROM THE BEGINNING
Compiled by music journalist Richard Bowes, A People’s History does the Spenwood specialism, by exploring Gary Numan’s 45-year career from its earliest beginnings through to the present day through the eyes of the fans. Arguably not always the most critical approach to a balanced analysis but one from perhaps the people who matter the most.
The release kicks off with a further dose of authenticity by including a foreword from Andy McCluskey of Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark and an introduction by Gary Numan himself who says of his songs: “While I’m back in the studio struggling to write , they (they songs) are out there touching the lives of people. Being reminded of that has not only brought a smile to my face, it’s made my life feel just a little bit more worthwhile.“
And it’s the meaning of those songs and those shows and those records which the fans come together en masse to share. Right the way back to 1977 – a good year for prog btw – when the fledgling Tubeway Army began to march. From the youth clubs to the Whistle Test when it was Old and Grey and inevitably Top Of The Pops. The clubs, the theatres and the arenas in the UK and beyond all crop up as the fans recall personal encounters and gig memories – the sort of thing that might be routine for our hero yet make the lifetime for the chosen.
MEMORIES
In Numan’s own words in the intro, he talks of the book being “a reminder that when those songs leave the studio their true life begins. ” A chance for Gary to appreciate what lies beyond the confines of the recording environment – which it does onstage when the feedback is immediate and many stories and recollections are about the significance and the impact of the gigs.
The memories of fans from home and abroad travel chronologically personal revelations from gigs that see the fortunes changing from harder times to more recent acclaim. The presence of the adoration from fans remains the constant. Photographs come from personal collections and see the contributors posing with the man himself along with some brave portraits of said fans from the time when a bleached barnet, black short and skinny white tie (or V neck sweater with big collared short) was de rigeur. The concert contributions monitor the development from the starkness of the emotionless android to the uninhibited and fearless persona who hurls himself around the stage in 2026.
Even producer/collaborator Ade Fenton gets his tale in as the weird and the wonderful cross paths. The anecdotes shifting from the Esso garage, to hotels, air shows or just memories of what being a Numanoid means. Of course, the content is all favourable but eminently sincere and whether or not Richard has included in any editing, clear and concise and from the heart.
AN OUTPOURING
The monster tome of almost 500 pages sees 500 contributors – possibly the largest of the People’s History series (?) come together marking fifty years of Numan watching. From those who were there at the begging and recall the first encounters – usually Top Of The Pops – to the ’81 retirement, the comeback and right up to date in anticipation of his Halifax Piece Hall gig. The latter was a belter too!
The common theme is a love, admiration and warmth for the man, despite the occasional awkward and slightly embarrassing personal encounters. They say don’t meet your heroes, but those who do report a shy and humble gent who greatly appreciates his career. Just back from his gig at Piece Hall and the fact is that Gary Numan in 2026 is possibly at the sort of peak that can’t be bettered.
Spenwood Books: Website