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Things seemed pretty dire for me backstage at the Stiff rock package tour.
Wreckless Eric had lived up to his name and was very close to a rock 'n' roll heaven, sick in bed somewhere down south.
So, no interview.
Elvis Costello, previous yaptrap to the world, was now not going to speak to the press anymore, possibly forever.
So, no interview.
Ian Dury, who I thought might intimidate me, had intimidated me.
So, ahem, no interview.
Nick Lowe was very busy swanning about getting ready for his set.
Yes... dead right... no interview.
In the end, and as perhaps it should, entertainment at the Dumping Music on the People evening at Leicester University depended entirely on the music.
No moaning though, Ian Dury stole the show with one of the best rock acts I've seen.
Dury, who's in his mid-thirties is an unlikely figure to head for rock stardom. A former lecturer, he's a polio victim who needs to walk with a stick.
His act and his material were overwhelming. The rock was red hot. The material was all you could ask for. Anger, violence, bawdy street humour and, get this, love and affection, too.
Performed from, his new album, New Boots and Panties, Dury brought the evening to white heat. Incredible.
But it was through my efforts to see the rising young Elvis Costello that I had inadvertently crossed swords with him. Tough. But there's always a next time.
As for Costello well there's plenty I can say about him, but the trouble is it's other people saying it.
The tall, bespectacled bloke in black, who four months ago was a computer technician, had done 40 interviews in two weeks, boasted his press agent. Now he had nothing more to say.
A pity because on the album My Aim Is True, he makes comments worth following up.
Just for the record though, I almost spoke to him. His manager carefully shielding the star, directed me towards the press agent, and interview oblivion. Elvis has a shiny forehead, I noted.
Just for the record (two). He's a very serious chap. He only broke into a smile once when he threw beer all over the audience.
Never mind. But come back Ian Dury.
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