"For what profit is it to man, If he gains the whole world and loses his own soul?"
NKJV
MEMOIRS
of the
Bright Side of the Moon
Ginger Gilmour
Copyright © 2015 by Ginger Gilmour
Published by Angelscript International LLP.
www.angelscript.com
The moral rights of the author have been asserted.
All photographs are courtesy of Ginger Gilmour's personal collection except for the photographs that have specific permission to be used.
All sculptures and paintings are equally Ginger Gilmour's creative expressions as an artist.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced by any mechanical, photographic, or electronic process, or in the form of a phonographic recording nor may it be stored in a retrieval system, transmitted, or otherwise be copied for public or private use - other than for "fair use" as brief quotations embodied in articles and reviews - without prior written permission from the author.
For further information, please contact us at: [email protected]
Cover Design by Ginger Gilmour
Project Manager - Isaac Ian
Photographs & Layout Design of artwork by David Graham Photography www.davidgraham.net
Cover Photograph by Chris Holmes Photography www.holmesphoto.net
Edited by Cathy Sue Holmes
Co-Edited by Gill Graham
Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication has been applied for. First Printing
Manufactured in the U.S.A. by Worzalla, Stevens Point, Wisconsin
For my children
May they know the Love
From which they were born.
"Angels protect us... as we protect the ones we Love."
© 2015 Angelscript
SEA OF GLASS
As I walk on to this sea of glass, there is no apprehension of what has come between these plays and written in these lines.
Who am I to question when the storm will rise or when the storm has met its match and when the storm declines.
All I see between us is this sea of glass, this pleasant path, this moment of perception, and this sparkle through the haze...
© 2015 Angelscript
FOREWORD
"Who" - you might ask, "is Ginger Gilmour?"
The only way to describe her is to offer you an invitation to look inside her heart thru reading her Memoirs.
So many people live their lives and leave no impression other than a single footprint in the sand... a letter unopened or a passing glimpse of a motorcade of an assemble of mighty Kings and Queens and Movie Stars.
Ginger has seen a place beyond there. So as you read, as you listen, you might find something more. Perhaps, something more of YOU, something more of Life waiting to be discovered.
It might happen on some sunlit day walking the beach with her grand-daughter while looking for shells, for some imaginary art in the sand. Or another story that captivates your heart, awakening some distant memory that unlocks your own doorway to BE What you were born to BE.
Ginger has lived an extraordinary life that she has chosen to share with you. A journey that reaches far into what is special about being Human and Divine. To follow her story, enter thru the doorway that divides the light from the moon, and back from the moon into the Light again.
She calls it, Memoirs of the Bright Side of the Moon.
Isaac Ian
Note from the Author
For you - I have written my memoirs from my heart, being faithful to all of my memories and experiences. Its purpose, I discovered as I placed pen to paper, was to remind us to touch the Sacred essence of Life. Most of all to uplift one's heart beyond the challenges and Remember the Beauty that you are.
I have been guided to share with you my story from above. Some may remember things differently. Some may find it too simple and sweet but in staying true to myself, my Joy, my love, I mean no harm to anyone.
Enter lightly as you walk within my journey of Love.
Bless you,
Ginger
CHAPTER 1
IN THE BEGINNING
I begin this story, telling of the events that changed my life forever. As if, a ship sailed by and whisked me in its wake. It was an ordinary day in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The morning sun cast its light washing the trees green. A radio played in the distance as the birds sang and bounced from tree to tree. I was an ordinary girl with dreams and visions of finding adventure, not knowing how big of an adventure I was about to experience.
This is the true story of my life and how I was challenged, survived, and resurrected like the fabled tale of the Phoenix rising out of the ashes on a journey with a band they call Pink Floyd (and beyond). A true story of how a child of adventure became a world traveler, a mother and a seeker on a magnificent path to discover the Living God in a most unusual and unexpected way. I call it "My Journey to the Bright Side of the Moon." I was on a plane to England, with my head resting upon the shoulder of the man whom I loved. His blue eyes catching the light from the window making them shine like crystal. His long brown hair touching my face as I fell asleep in his arms safe, happy, drifting into the first moment our hearts met. It was Love at First Sight, a dream since childhood that he would come to me, my Prince Charming. And there I was sitting next to him going into my future. I was just twenty-two. He was twenty-five.
IT WAS 28 OCTOBER 1971
I was living with Robert Maxwell, a close friend, in a small mock Tudor house in Ann Arbor, Michigan. At first, we had a traditional relationship, which eventually became one of companionship. He was my best friend. Over the years, Robert took on the ownership and operations of two boutiques, one of which I managed. From our perspective, we were BIG FISH in a little town, interacting with a population that liked the things that we offered in our clothing store. It was profitable and inspired creativity and individuality.
Ann Arbor was waking up after the deluge of the Vietnam War and the 60s movement had left its mark on the souls and taste of our clients. One day a dear friend of ours, Morpheus, returned from London. He had been living with us prior to his adventure across the ocean and had called our home his anchor. In addition to his stories, he brought back with him a taste of Carnaby Street with his snakeskin boots from Gohill's and his leopard skin-tight trousers. He was excited because Pink Floyd was playing that evening in town. Each year the University of Michigan had a festival on the last weekend of October and would invite known and unknown bands to play. This year it was Pink Floyd, Quicksilver and various local bands.
Morpheus had befriended one of the Floyd's roadies, Chris Adamson, who had gifted him with tickets and backstage passes to the show. He asked if we would like to go. I said, "NO, I don't think so!" Both Morpheus & Robert looked at me with disbelief and questionable surprise. Between you and me, I had grown tired of being on show. Often I rebelled by wearing ripped jeans held together at the seams with safety pins. This was just one of the things that I would do to break the image, which often did not meet with others approval. But I continued on this way since I was a sixties child seeking not to be held down by traditional views of how I should dress or be. A new idea of freedom for women was in my heart. The sixties represented an opportunity to dare to break the mold and in my innocence, I did in many ways! Ann Arbor was a town that in a similar manner, sought to do just that - break the mold. It was the home of SDS-Student Demonstration Headquarters, Alice Cooper, Alternative Hippie Stores, eccentric boutiques and a University full of young students. Our boutique was a franchise across the U.S. at the time and sought to lead the way through fashion. Its ethos was to encourage
women to find a way of dressing that would express their individual uniqueness. On the weekends, I used to have models dressed in Carnaby fashions and Twiggy-like makeup, dancing in our windows. Our boutique served as a place that would give advice to women of how to find their own identity beyond keeping up with the JONESES and being carbon copies.
After a while, I had a group of women who shared a similar point of view and together we did fashion shows at gigs and other events. My most memorable was doing a fashion show at the opening of the movie High Noon. The New York office had designed the clothes for a promotion and we were encouraged to do something in our local town. The collection had both cowboy and Indian designs so I organized with the cinema to do a fashion show. The cinema had a spiral staircase split in two directions, a bit out of Gone with the Wind, which led to the seats in the higher tier. Upon those stairs, we did a pantomime of cowboys and Indians reflecting the theme of the movie. Some of us fell on the stairs pretending to be dead, while the audience had to step over us to get to their seats. Others watched from the foyer as they bought their popcorn. It was novel and fun.
In the end, Robert and Morpheus convinced me to go with them to the concert. I had just returned from NYC buyer's week so I decided to dress up. My head was still swooning from the memory of my first encounter with the World of Ossie Clark, a London fashion designer. I was touched deeply with each dress, the fabric, the colors, the femininity, the dance of the folds as the sales woman twirled them one by one before me. I returned home enchanted and inspired even more by the London Look.
As a young teenager, I was besotted with the Beatles and the Mersey Sound. George Harrison was my favorite who later was to become a good friend. On the weekends, I would often put on an English Accent (I thought) as my friends and I hung out at Arby's and McDonald's in my parent's powder blue Ford. So seeing Ossie Clarke's creations brought me closer to what my silent heart dreamt for my future. Or, perhaps it brought me closer to what my soul journey was to BE? That night I wore a gold and burgundy tie-dyed velvet maxi dress that I had brought back from my trip. It clung comfortably upon the young sylph-like curves of my body and the frill at the bottom would move in the wind as I walked. I also discovered Biba make-up, Twiggy-like eyelashes and lace up leather boots. My hair was golden blonde with gentle curls to my shoulders. I was ready. We got to the concert early and found our seats in the first few rows. Morpheus and Robert left me sitting there alone while they went backstage to say, "Hello," to Chris Adamson. The last thing I wanted to do was to hang out backstage and be a groupie.
I remember looking up at the stage as the roadies scurried around working the final touches for the concert. They were so attractive with their London haircuts, tight Sterling Cooper black jeans, T-shirts, colored boots and velvet jackets. The sound of their accent touched my heart as they shouted to one another across the stage, "Scot can you get Peter? Can you turn up the sound?" The moment was getting closer as the roadies left the stage. The lights dimmed and the band entered. The audience went silent. The magic began with "Embryo," "Fat Old Sun" and David's guitar. Rick's piano pierced the silence held by the sounds of Roger Waters' bass guitar and Nick's drums. We were spellbound as the notes carried around the audience through the Floyd's sound-in- the-round. "Set the Controls" took us deeper, transcending us from what we knew as normal to a World where Peace and Beauty united us all that evening.
After the gig, we all went backstage. I was a rather shy person in those circumstances and continue to be. So I often found myself standing alone in the corner, while Morpheus and Robert ran around in their excitement backstage. Fortunately, one of my customers from the shop was there and we passed the time in idle chatter. Then to my surprise, David came up to me. He had on a black T-shirt that said, "That's All Folks," and was wearing those Sterling Cooper jeans. They all seemed to be wearing them. He was so handsome. He came close and said, "Hello, I am David." I looked up at him, his blue eyes penetrating my heart with the sound of his voice. Time stood still as I stumbled to answer. It was as though my dream of "Love at First Sight" was happening. Was he my "Prince Charming?" The moment held us until Morpheus and Robert broke the spell as they entered our circle. I motioned to them as I introduced myself to David, "Hello, I am Ginger and this is Morpheus, Robert & Susannah," then turned and left them chatting. I was so embarrassed, yet stunned by David's approaching me. I sought refuge in the room where Chris Adamson was loading the equipment into the truck hoping to regain my composure. As I sat upon one of the road boxes chatting to Chris, Robert appeared and asked if I was open to invite the band and the crew over the next evening for dinner. "Sure Robert, if that is what you would like, Why not?" I then went into the next room where David and the band were standing. He turned towards me and looking him directly in the eyes, I invited HIM and the band over for Roast Beef and Yorkshire Pudding the next evening. Robert and Morpheus were very excited that they accepted.
The following day they spent most of their time canvassing all over town for sight of the band, hoping to confirm that they were coming. I spent most of the day preparing the meal and answering phone calls with their latest report. As the day progressed, it became certain that our evening dinner was going to happen. The band arrived first. Roger Waters, Nick Mason and Rick Wright took their places on our long leather couch. David sat on the floor near the record player his hair falling down over his face as he looked through our albums. He became our DJ for the evening. I was extremely nervous by his presence triggered by his approach the night before. Something stirred in my heart each time as he came near. I was trying hard to resist an ancient calling, which was summoning me.
The next day Quicksilver was playing and David and the band said they would like to go see them. At midnight (that same day) on Halloween, we were having a Roller Skating Party in Detroit. Robert and I invited them to come along if they wanted, schedule permitting. They accepted so we arranged to meet them at the Quicksilver show and then go on to the party.
I was dressed in red satin hot pants and gold hearts with a full body red leotard. I was ready to go Roller Skating. Robert, Morpheus and I arrived at our seats. Soon I was by myself again while they wandered backstage. Steve O'Rourke, the Floyd Manager, Nick and Roger Waters arrived. Their tickets were in the row in front of me. Steve turned around looking like Clark Kent from behind his glasses and said to me, "Ginger, I think you should be with David." My heart nearly stopped. I managed a smile and looked away so as not to show my embarrassment.
A few minutes later, David and Peter Watts, their sound engineer arrived. David sat right next to me with Peter following him. Someone had given them Mescaline that night and David had refused to leave the hotel. He told Peter that he was so attracted to me that he didn't think he could stand being near me tripping, especially as he wasn't sure if I was in a relationship. He felt it would be difficult to resist his feelings. In the end, Peter talked him into coming.
As he sat down David placed his hand onto my leg. The lights dimmed and the music began to play. I could feel his body next to mine in the darkness. Energy surged through my being! My heart opened. I felt we were melting together just in his touch. All my life I dreamt to have a union between a man like this. I became nervous as I tried to resist the feelings that filled my body and heart. What should I do? Robert and Morpheus reappeared before intermission and rescued me. I asked where they had been. But before they could answer, the band said they had seen enough and wanted to go back to the hotel. We said that we would meet them there. I stood up to follow everyone. David grabbed hold of my hand with Peter behind. At the top of the aisle, I looked at Robert leading his glance down to where David was holding my hand. I said quietly, "He is tripping." He said, "Don't worry. It is ok. Let's walk him back to the hotel." So, we became guardians of David. We walked hand in hand through the misty fog back to the hotel. David was holding my one hand and Robert holding the other. It felt strange as we each wore the mask of pretend. Ann Arbor was a miniature of Cambridge, England,
where David was born and raised. It was so similar even down to the Victorian street lamps and the fog. He made a few comments to that regard as our journey took us through the campus.
When we got to the hotel, we met with the others who were sitting around a table in the bar. There were two seats left. David sat down, pulling me down to sit next to him when Morpheus arrived saying in a panic, "Rick Wright is lost." Robert volunteered to go and find him. I stood. He asked if I would go with him. I shook my head saying, "Perhaps Morpheus and I should take everyone back to our house. I will meet you there." As it turned out, it was just to be Morpheus taking Roger Waters, David, and me. Everyone else would follow.
We went in Morpheus's van. It was empty in the back. Roger sat down on the floor against the back doors and so did David. I quickly sat on the wheel hub. Morpheus closed the door. It was dark. As we drove along David grabbed my hand and pulled me down into his arms. Our passion rose in our embrace. Time stood still. The van stopped with a jerk. We had reached our destination. Morpheus opened the door and I got out first. Walking quickly towards our house, I opened the front door and darted upstairs to my bedroom. I was in tears. I was in a flurry of mixed emotions. I trembled. I felt like I was in a boat in a storm losing control. My Shih Tzu, Julie, was sitting on the bed wagging her tail. I picked her up, ran down the stairs, out the door into the fog lit street.
David realized that I had bolted and ran after me, catching me in his arms as I went around the corner. Our lips met. I no longer could hold back my desire to be with him - to be close to him, united in our desire. Suddenly, as though it was a bolt of lightning, a thought shouted in my head, "Oh MY GOD! What am I doing?" I pushed him away saying in the release of our passion "I cannot do this. I don't know you!" David said, "I do not normally do this either". So we walked back to the house. Our silhouettes revealing that we were holding hands as Robert returned having found Rick. David could not let go.
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