Gary Numan Digest           Thu,  8 May 97       Volume  1 : Issue 328  

Today's Topics:
                                 <none>
                            Beggars Banquet
                                 bikini
                          EXILE NOW OR DELAYED
                             Fan Club Info
                   Gary Numan Digest V1 #327 (4 msgs)
                               Hi There!
                        Numan and the mainstream
                         Numan Article Spooted
                 Numan makes another cryptic appearance
                           Numan on Letterman
                  Numan re-releasing his past glories
                              Originality
                 Praise be! I've seen the light...thud!
                                Random 
                     Random and other bits and bobs
                                 RELOAD
                   Terre Thaemlitz - Ambient "Dance"
                   WILL IT EVER BE HEARD (FINAL MIX)?
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: Sun, 4 May 1997 10:16:03 -0400 (EDT)
From: "Michael R. Ward" <mrward@mailbox.syr.edu>
Subject: <none>
To: numan digest <numan@cs.uwp.edu>

just one small comment. i have to laugh at all the different opinions
expressed about what mr. numan should do with his career. i think if he
took all of our advise he would have one screwy album. armchair pyschology
is just that "armchair". i for one am just happy when he create something
i enjoy(which is not every lp but so what). till then i will keep buying
his live cds and enjoying them in my "car" 

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 06 May 1997 16:23:42 -0700
From: Neil Mitchell <NMITCHEM@doh.gov.uk>
Subject: Beggars Banquet
To: Gary Numan <numan@cs.uwp.edu>

I just had a brainwave, so I waved back.

Just found the beggars home page, lots of news about Random, but here's
the thing.  I just mailed them and asked why such a wonderful record
label doesn't seem interested in signing Gary up!  Hope they reply, if
they do I will let you all know.

P.S.  Just a note of sympathy for the Americans now that the US tour is
off, for now.  I hope he does come over a grace your shores soon, we got
it too good over here.

Bye!

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 05 May 1997 21:16:57 -0800
From: alexander way <errora@earthlink.net>
Subject: bikini
To: numan@cs.uwp.edu

Gary Numan reviews the new Chemical Brothers' record "Dig Your Own Hole" 
in the new issue of "Bikini" magazine.  He likes it.  That's great!  I 
also like The Chemical Brothers AND Gary Numan, or more like vis-versa. 
I wonder what he thinks of Stereolab.

:A

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 4 May 1997 14:49:29 -0000
From: Markus Dietrich <na468@fen.baynet.de>
Subject: EXILE NOW OR DELAYED
To: "'numan@cs.uwp.edu'" <numan@cs.uwp.edu>

Hello Numanoids,

very frightened by Gary's decission(?) to put out Exile on
the Numa label I am really hoping that this could be avoided.

Because this means that for e.g. germany there will be not even
one copy of Exile in any store (like all the previous albums since
outland !!!) and I expect the same for every other country apart
from the UK. Someone has complained that not even in the UK
the distribution of the Numa material is acceptable ...

Yes you might say that everyone can order the albums directly
from Gary's WWW-sites, but that is not the point.

For example, I can't tell a ger. music magazine (ZILLO) about
the gothic touched Exile album of Gary Numan if it never apears
in any store ...

I have the fear that Gary was influenced by some output of fans
who complaint the delay of Exile. I think these fans should think
once more about that. What's about Exile if it will only be a defacto
'Fanclub' release ?!? I think Exile DESERVES BETTTER ...

Maybe Gary's decission is finally so this is only a comment, but
if not it might be interesting what the majority of fans think.
I don't know how, but it would be necessary to establishing a
list of the kind

	EXILE 
	Released now		Delay (for
	(on Numa)		a better contract)
	-------------------------------------------------------------------------

				x (here my vote)


but I don't know how to handle ...
Absolutely necessary is also that all votes will be without the
comment of the purpose of it, because that will explode the
digest!

If the majority of the fans votes for delaying then maybe Gary
will also rethink on it :-)
If the majority of the fans votes for releasing now then I will
sleep better because I can accept that I have a minority opinion :-)

Hope we find a solution to handle such a list of votes and a lot
of fans join in, in order to have a more accurate result.

Bye,
Markus
Nuremberg/Germany

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 7 May 1997 00:25:15 -0400
From: brezniakdavid@webtv.net (David Brezniak)
Subject: Fan Club Info
To: numan@cs.uwp.edu

Hey Gang!  
First off: when you order merchandise from the fan club, and you also
join the fan club, do they ship things seperately or did Beryl possibly
loose my order?!!!
Second: Does anyone know the difference in time between U.S. time and UK
time?
I've gotten onto the IRC chat for Gary Numan (as explained further on
the wonderful "Are Friends Electric" homepage...only to find that no one
is ever there!!  Help!
Third:  HI ANDY!:)
Thanks for the time and as always, 
your comments are welcome-please feel free to email me at
<numanoid@webtv.net>
Thanks again!
Dave

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 6 May 1997 05:08:03 -0400 (EDT)
From: Dooom1996@aol.com
Subject: Gary Numan Digest V1 #327
To: numan@cs.uwp.edu

In a message dated 97-05-04 02:17:33 EDT, you write:

<< David Bowie  has some bad albums (Outside was  really bad!)  >>

Wrong, Outside was brilliant, you worthless sack of shit.  But you already
know you are, so...

Dooom

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 6 May 1997 05:09:10 -0400 (EDT)
From: Dooom1996@aol.com
Subject: Gary Numan Digest V1 #327
To: numan@cs.uwp.edu

In a message dated 97-05-04 02:17:33 EDT, you write:

<< Until I bought SAC Extended, >>


Do you mean sack, as in "sack of shit?"

Dooom

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 6 May 1997 05:14:34 -0400 (EDT)
From: Dooom1996@aol.com
Subject: Gary Numan Digest V1 #327
To: numan@cs.uwp.edu

In a message dated 97-05-04 02:17:33 EDT, you write:

<< The "right" isn't called "right" for nothing.
 
 "Remember, Love Needs No Disguise"
 
 Michael Tressler >>

Labor won, you sac de merde!

dOOOM

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 6 May 1997 05:19:56 -0400 (EDT)
From: Dooom1996@aol.com
Subject: Gary Numan Digest V1 #327
To: numan@cs.uwp.edu

In a message dated 97-05-04 02:17:33 EDT, you write:

<< The last Numan album I purchased was "I, Asassin" so I'm wondering what CD
 (I don't have a turntable set up any more) is his best work since then? 
 His first 3 albums are all quite good and a sound bit that I've heard on
 one of the Numan websites sounded excellent so I'm interested in revisiting
 Gary Numan.
  >>

I vote for Warriors, Strange Charm, & Metal Rhythm.  Buy and enjoy, SAC!

Dooom

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 07 May 97 13:01:45 GMT
From: V.Boston@softech.ie
Subject: Hi There!
To: numan@cs.uwp.edu

Hello,

My name is Victor and I'm from Dublin, Ireland.  I have never been part of a
mailing list or newsgroup before so bear with me.  I thought it would be great
to exchange and receive numan news at my desk in work so here I am.  I've been a
Numan fan since I first saw the pale nervous looking figure on the TV in 1979
singing "Are 'Friends' Electric" and in recent years, flying to the UK for
concerts have been an annual treat (He's never played Ireland and in a recent
interview for local tv station, he said he didn't think he had many fans here). 
I'm an enthusiastic record collector but there are some gaps in my collection. 
I would welcome the opportunity to exchange news and views with anyone who's
interested.
Bye for now!
Victor

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 04 May 1997 08:16:29 -0500
From: "Troy L. Walters" <tlwalter@accs.net>
Subject: Numan and the mainstream
To: numan@cs.uwp.edu

<HTML><BODY>
I'm just wondering...
<BR>
<BR>Why is it so important to ANYONE -- especially Gary -- that he have this
great "come back" now?
<BR>He has been known for making the music he wants to make and not compromise
the music for anyone else's opinion.&nbsp; It's called art!&nbsp; Formulated
"music" is called pop -- as in popular.&nbsp; There IS a way to make ANY
song a pop song.&nbsp; A formula of&nbsp; hooks and a style of writing
that ensures "air play" but at what cost.&nbsp; Need I use Milli Vanilli
or Vanilla Ice or any other poor excuse for an "artist" as examples?
<BR>
<BR>Aside from being a Numan fan since '79, I've been a RUSH fan since the
early 70s and they have yet to bow to anyone's "demands" or expectations
of what they should do musically.&nbsp; Name one RUSH album that has not
gone Gold, at least.&nbsp; Most have gone platinum -- with very, very little
air play.&nbsp; This is the standard that Gary Numan should be more interested
in -- rather than becoming some pop icon, which will not last.&nbsp; Integrity
IS important to an "artist."
<BR>
<BR>As for Gary's career being over because he did not get Exile signed to
a major label -- what a joke.&nbsp; He's gone this long with little or
no help -- in fact, against some pretty insurmountable obstacles.&nbsp;
NO ONE can put an end to Gary's career except Gary!&nbsp; ANYONE who believes
differently is a fool.&nbsp; If he chooses to listen to the advice to make
"pop" music and he does -- and then disappears -- it is his decision.&nbsp;
If he continues to make HIS music HIS way, and he continues to have modest
sales of his music -- so be it.&nbsp; Since when is the majority ALWAYS
right?&nbsp; Top 40 is a joke!&nbsp; Just because something becomes popular,
it doesn't make it good.&nbsp; Top 40 listeners are sheep who will follow
whatever they are directed to follow.&nbsp; I CHOOSE WHAT I LISTEN TO --
not some wannabe who can't make music, so they got a job in "the biz" and
make or break those who can.
<BR>I'd rather Gary maintain some integrity.&nbsp; He won't become a multi-billionaire
that way -- at least not financially -- but it seems to me that Gary is
beyond the "riches and fame" idea.
<BR>
<BR>Every day and every tomorrow is a Nu day!
<BR>
<BR>--
<BR>Troy L. Walters
<BR>tlwalter@accs.net
<BR>http://www.accs.net/users/tlwalter
<BR>-- Beware of the IDGAF Syndrome... (c)&copy;
<BR>

</BODY>
</HTML>

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 5 May 1997 09:06:51 -0400
From: tthoman@biostats.hmc.psu.edu (Terrence Thoman)
Subject: Numan Article Spooted
To: numan@cs.uwp.edu

In Digest #327 Hpcraft@aol.com wrote:

>Can anyone explain why this hasn't been
>pursued more intensely by either Numan or Beggar's Banquet.  It's not like
>his music doesn't fit a certain Gothic market.  It would seem logical to me
>to follow up "Random" with an actual album of his and see what kind of
>mommentum they get.  If there's anyone who either knows someone at Beggar's
>Banquet or frequents their web-page, perhaps the question should be asked.

I asked this question of Beggars some time ago.  The response was that they
were not opposed to rekindling the relationship, but that they wanted to see
how 'Random' faired.

+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| tthoman@biostats.hmc.psu.edu                                                   |
| Terrence Thoman                                                                |
|                                                                                |
| Old men love war songs                                                         |
| Love Vera Lynn                                                                 |                            
| Old men love war songs                                                         |
| Now I'm Vera Lynn                                                              |    
|        - Gary Numan                                                            |
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------+

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 06 May 97 22:41:59 -0700
From: "Joey Lindstrom" <joey@lindstrom.com>
Subject: Numan makes another cryptic appearance
To: "numan@cs.uwp.edu" <numan@cs.uwp.edu>

Got emailed by a guy who fronts a new-wave band called "Reload",
which he says was heavily influenced by Devo and Gary Numan.  On his
site you can check out the lyrics to many of his band's songs,
including these, from a song called "Atari 400":


Let's Go!
Atari 400
Colecovision
with the roller controller
Intellivision

Oh no, it's Devo
Sparks in Outer Space
Computer World
and Gary Numan

BMX racing
mail order Star Wars
Goddamn paper route
school in the morning

== snip ==

Dunno about any of you, but it sure made ME rather nostalgic... :-)


/---------------------------------------------------------
/ From:  The Desk Of Joey Lindstrom  +1 (403) 620-4708
/ EMAIL: joey@lindstrom.com  numanoid@netway.ab.ca  lindstrj@cadvision.com
/ WEB:   http://www.netway.ab.ca/worldwidewebb/
/
/ "There's a reason 'Wheel Of Fortune' is on right after 'Jeopardy'. Once
/  you've been forced to choke down the foul-tasting tequila shot of your
/  own abject ignorance, it's nice to be able to bite into the refreshing
/  lime wedge of other people's incredible fucking stupidity."
/                                    - Dennis Miller

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 6 May 1997 17:49:47 -0400 (EDT)
From: Lightland@aol.com
Subject: Numan on Letterman
To: numan@cs.uwp.edu

>From Christophe Silvey, West Hollywood, CA, USA

just read about the numan reference on Mystery Science Theater. I witnessed
an interesting exchange on the David Letterman show about a month ago. It
went as follows:
Letterman was doing some video joke bit using an international car show at
Jacob Javits center in New York's West Side as background. Bandleader Paul
Schaefer led into the bit with a typically wacky, sped-up performance of
Cars.
Letterman paused, and turning to Paul asked, "who was the guy that did that
tune?"
Schaefer replied, "Gary Numan". Letterman:"what ever happened to that guy?"
Schaefer: "Nothing".(crowd roars with laughter and applause)
Letterman: "Gary Numan. Wow."
Schaefer: "His band was Tubeway Army." (mumbled)"One big hit."
End of exchange. Schaefer reprises Cars at end of video joke bit.

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 04 May 1997 07:48:06 -0500
From: "Troy L. Walters" <tlwalter@accs.net>
Subject: Numan re-releasing his past glories
To: m.r.p.@ix.netcom.com, Gary Numan <numan@cs.uwp.edu>

<HTML><BODY>

<BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE>
<PRE>m.r.p.@ix.netcom.com wrote:</PRE>
</BLOCKQUOTE>

<BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE>
<PRE>Gary ALSO needs to stop re-releasing his past glories.</PRE>
</BLOCKQUOTE>

<BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE>
<PRE>He fills the market with past hits and cannot give any</PRE>
</BLOCKQUOTE>

<BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE>
<PRE>new ones.</PRE>
</BLOCKQUOTE>

<BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE>
<PRE>Course this is my 2 cents.&nbsp; But since I work in music every day, all day,&nbsp;
its a better 2 cents than most.</PRE>
</BLOCKQUOTE>
As a fan, I am appreciative of your concerns.&nbsp; But, as someone who
works in music everyday, I would think you would know that Gary is not
directly responsible for the majority of the re-releases of his material.&nbsp;
That credit goes to the likes of Rialto/Receiver and Beggars Banquet, as
well as several overseas companies.
<BR>
<BR>Personally, I would prefer Gary continue in his own way, rather than concoct
something "playable" on demand.&nbsp; That's not art -- it's shite, like
all the other crap on the air now.&nbsp; I'd rather not share the Gary
Numan I've become accustom to with the likes of the Top 40 listeners --
those vacant, air-heads who listen to whatever is forced on them by people
who have no clue as to what good music is.
<BR>
<BR>There's my dollars worth.&nbsp; Not that I'm trying to be an asshole --
that is merely natural for me.&nbsp; It seems to me that Gary is not interested
in "coming back" if he can not do it on his own terms.&nbsp; What would
be the point in that?
<BR>
<BR>Tomorrow is always a Nu day!
<BR>
<BR>--
<BR>Troy L. Walters&nbsp;
<BR>tlwalter@accs.net&nbsp;
<BR>http://www.accs.net/users/tlwalter
<BR>-- Beware of the IDGAF Syndrome... (c)&copy;

</BODY>
</HTML>

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 04 May 1997 21:38:44 -0700
From: David Pipe <dwpipe@ix.netcom.com>
Subject: Originality
To: numan@cs.uwp.edu (Gary Numan)

>Date: Thu, 1 May 1997 15:14:57 -0400 (EDT)
>From: Drapop7085@aol.com
>Subject: Where is my music played?
>To: numan@cs.uwp.edu
>
>All my favorite performers don't play the main stream "game". GN always is
>thought provoking with his lyrics, he speaks his mind. And his music fits
>those thoughts to a tee. As well as, Marc Almond, another outcast from the
>press:he sings flat and is too theatrical: NO!  He's original. Among many
>others:Peter Murphy, The Divine Comedy, Stan Ridgway,etc.....Do they ever 
>get played on the radio or MTV? NO!

I think this is a really good point, actually.  I can think of several
artists that fall into this category - the first that comes to mind is Gary
Myrick.  I've been a so-so fan of his for years ("so-so" relative to my
obsession with Gary's music) and first heard his stuff when he played
support for Gary's Teletour (here in San Francisco).  

At the time, he was billed as "Gary Myrick and the Figures" - now plays
billed as "Gary Myrick & Havana 3 AM".  I wonder if Gary would remember him?
Anyway, he has a really original style and as a result never got much
airtime.  I still enjoy his stuff, and venture out to see him now and then
(he plays here in S.F. every now and then).

Speaking of concerts, I've just sent off my reservation deposit for
"Numanoids on Tour".  I hope Peter Gilbert doesn't think I'm nuts for coming
all the way from California just to see Gary.  Even though I've been to
England several times, the concept of following the entire tour sounds like
great fun and I'm really looking forward to it.

Any other digesters planning on making the trip?  Feel free to email me...

David Pipe
dwpipe@ix.netcom.com

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 4 May 1997 08:37:33 -0400
From: Matthew Roberts <exile@compuserve.com>
Subject: Praise be! I've seen the light...thud!
To: "INTERNET:numan@cs.uwp.edu" <numan@cs.uwp.edu>

Michael,

Fortunately for you I don't think Gary will see your comments. Suggesting
that his talents are a "gift from God" (and therefore presumably not
inherited from his parents or something he developed himself) might be the
biggest faux pas since a journalist suggested Cars was Gary's way of coming
out of the closet.

I don't know whether Gary's current political stance is simply a reflection
of his long held beliefs or an attempt to redress the damage done by past
indiscrete comments. I suspect, as always, that the truth lies somewhere in
between. However I like to think that Gary shares the liberal beliefs of
universal health care, equal opportunities, free thought and the social
contract (but I certainly won't ASSUME this).

Your politics seem to share the homely innocence of your theology. I'm
amused that you think you were once a liberal. By definition liberalism can
never be the sort of evil lumbering monster that you perceive. Conservatism
on the other hand seems to lead to bigotry and social injustice (and an
atrophying of the brain?). But apparently not enduring economic success,
the one claim conservatives could rationally make.

Sorry to raise the spectre of politics in a mailing list about music. To
compensate:

In the June issue of Q magazine, Mike Edwards says:

 "Jesus Jones [his group] did a version of Gary Numan's We Are So Fragile
for his covers album. He said nice things about us and that was helpful
during a dark time when everyone detested us."

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 4 May 1997 19:10:47 -0400 (EDT)
From: BDay0000@aol.com
Subject: Random 
To: numan@cs.uwp.edu

Hey!!! 

Anyone ever wonder why a label would release a bunch of covers of an artist
but not a current CD by the artist himself?  Do they really think that Gary's
music is that bad, or, "not in the direction that they are going in?"
  Mighty frustrating. 

Brad Day 
Atlanta, GA 

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 7 May 1997 11:48:50 -0500
From: austinbaggett@ex-or.co.uk (Austin)
Subject: Random and other bits and bobs
To: numan@cs.uwp.edu (Gary Numan)

Digesters,

So the Random album is going to be a double CD.  Great for us lot - double
the playing time - Yipeee!  But will the casual record buyer fork out the
money just to hear their favourite band sing one song?   Hopefully, Beggars
are going to pitch the price the same as a single CD LP.  Otherwise.............

Matthew Holbrook's Nuzone is reporting that Republica might release their
AFE cover as a single.   Random definately needs a strong single to promote
it.  Without a single in the Top 10, after the initial week of release,
Random will of been forgotten.  Republica are probably the most talked-about
band at the moment who are contributing.  They would get TV (TFI Friday et
al). Random NEEDS a single, but time is running out...............

Also....

>Long time no post.  If you lived my life you'd understand why.  

Now WHERE have I heard THAT expression before???

>No management can stop an artist saying something
>ridiculously stupid in an interview!

True.  But it wasn't just one ridiculous comment in one interview.  It went
on for years.  Infact, it became an attitude, which was adopted whenever
talking to the press.

>Gary, be whoever you want to be. Do what YOU want to do. Bending over 
>backwards to please not only your followers but the media and general 
>public will certainly do you in.

This is complete nonsense.  (What would your advice to GN be if he supported
the Klu Klux Klan for gods sake????)

>"Remember, Love Needs No Disguise"

Ehh?

Cheers.......Austin

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 06 May 1997 19:47:58 -0700
From: Gabe DeLang <delang@teleport.com>
Subject: RELOAD
To: numan@cs.uwp.edu

greetigs,
My name is Brian Applegate and I head the band RELOAD in Portland,Or.I
am visiting your site for two reasons,1.because I am a Numan fan and
2.because I want to let Numan fans get a taste of what he did for me in
terms of music.I have been known to have two staples attached to my
music and they are always DEVO and Gary Numan.Please visit the Reload
web site if interested at 
http://www.teleport.com/~delang/reload1.htm                                   
hope to hear from you,
                                I will be listening to the sirens
                                  Brian Applegate/RELOAD

------------------------------

Date: Sat, 03 May 1997 14:42:13 -0700
From: Randall Wolf <rswolf@earthlink.net>
Subject: Terre Thaemlitz - Ambient "Dance"
To: Gary Numan <numan@cs.uwp.edu>

> On a lighter note I was scanning through a list of ambient music
> artists at hypereal.com and found Gary's name there. I looked it up
> and there was a letter by another artist (called Terre Thaemlitz)
> pointing out how parts of Dance (particularly Cry, The Clock Said) and
> the occasional track on I, Assassin were fine examples of ambient
> music!!
> 
> Bruce

This reference should be taken seriously as terre is part of a core 
group of artists who are re-defining ambient music and techno, they
are the next wave that will be discovered after the public tires of
the current round of techno darlings. it's too bad gary does not
collaborate that much anymore (and when he does it usually sucks)
because a remix by any of these artists would be incredible as most
all of their output is. if you see terre's work in stores check it out,
if you like ambient you HAVE to also check out Human Mesh Dance, the
CD is Mindflower and is available online if you cannot find it in
stores. also HMD's and terre's work is on the "Chill out - phase2"
double CD on instinct records, some great ambient with a techno edge.
for more ambient pickup "synthetic pleasures vol. 1" on the moonshine
records label from the underground movie of the same name at:

http://www.syntheticpleasures.com

Artists:

terre thaemlitz's comatose recordings:
http://www.caipirinha.com/comatonse/directory.html


taylor deupree of HMD, Protoype909(hardcore techno), and SETI :
http://www.walrus.com/~taylor/index.html

he list's online sources for his CD's, he was also the head of
graphics for instinct records and his webpage is well designed.

Send these guy's threatening letters telling them why they need
to do an ambient remix of "Dance"

keep listening to GN but keep your head out of the sand.
Randall Wolf
rswolf@earthlink.net
rwolf@raleigh.ibm.com

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 6 May 1997 22:21:00 -0400
From: "Dobson, Larry" <ldobson@rider.ca>
Subject: WILL IT EVER BE HEARD (FINAL MIX)?
To: gary numan digest <numan@cs.uwp.edu>

Firstly Digest readers, let me apologize for the second installment of Will 
It Ever Be Heard?!  When the list of countries and my projections for record 
sales came out, the wonders of Space Bar and Delete took over and it was 
somewhat of a mess, although it did not look that way when I sent it.   I 
still feel very confident that Gary Numan can have a profitable and 
satisfying career in music without the "big" record contract.  According to 
the Sound on Sound interview with Gary last year, New Anger (the North 
American version of Metal Rhythm) sold 100,000 copies in North America. 
 Most of the figures I used barely represented Gold album status in those 
territories.  With concentrated and exclusive promotion deals, I firmly 
believe success is possible.  Some Digest contributors have fallen into the 
trap of assuming Gary's music just cannot have commercial success, because 
it does not fit the mainstream. Yet this flies in the face of Gary's 
original success, which was precisely due to him not being mainstream.  It 
also ignores the commercial success of many artists that have not fit the 
norm.   Performers like Enya and Yanni certainly do not fit the pop/rock 
mold.  Peter Gabriel has been one of music's most innovative artists and yet 
has acheived worldwide success, and who would have thought Gregorian chants 
backed up by drum machines would sell in the millions? Noisy, unfathomable 
grunge, unmelodical rap with lyrics that are not even sung,  New Age with 
its benign atmospheric soundscapes have all found success, against the 
grain.

Should Gary give up the search for the big contract?  Should he change 
management, as some have suggested?  Is his hair preventing him from 
achieving bigger things?  As far as his hair goes, he's probably just happy 
he has some.  Believe me, we've all see far worse on more popular 
performers.  Those who have advocated Gary change his management must 
remember that Gary's manager is his father.  After years of singing about 
the pain of betrayal and the importance of loyalty, if you think Gary is 
about to give his dad his walking papers, well, you have obvioulsy not been 
paying attention.  For the big contract, Gary seems to suffer the problems 
that those who have owned their own business suffer if they close up shop 
and search for employment elsewhere.  Everyone thinks they will be 
no-it-alls and simply take good ideas to go off on their own with, again. 
 Record companies seem to think that after years of owning his own record 
company, Gary Numan would be a prima donna, hell bent on telling them how to 
run their business. Yesterday, while checking out the Beggars Banquet web 
site, I saw a remark about the Random project.  The line was "We've have a 
ton of enquiries" about this release.  Then it occurred to me, maybe there 
is something that we as fans can do to help Gary's career.  As with 
television shows, that are near cancellation, the fans often start massive 
letter writing campaigns, similar to the original Star Trek series effort, 
to keep the show on the air.  What if we as Gary Numan fans flooded Beggars 
Banquet's offices with letters and E-mails asking them to sign Gary back to 
their label?  For fans everywhere, this would make Gary's music so much more 
accessible and that is a good argument to take to BB.  It would certainly be 
in our interest, and if BB gets a large enough campaign from the fans, we 
can demonstrate the financial benefit to them.  So how about it, Numanoids? 
 I'd like to hear your thoughts about a "Beggars Banquet Bring Back Gary 
Numan" campaign.

Keep the faith,
Larry DOBSON.

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End of Gary Numan Digest
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