Memoirs of the Brightside of the Moon

by Ginger Gilmour

  When we got to the house, I went upstairs. Robert followed. I cried and said, "I cannot stand it! David is too attracted to me! I cannot resist. I will stay home!" I pleaded, "PLEASE. Can you take the band?" Robert said, "No you go! I will stay." "This is impossible! We shall both go. We promised. Besides, they are waiting downstairs! I will just have to handle it." Anxiously, I ran out the door and down the stairs, as I implored him to take them. I would go in a different car! In the end, Robert did take the band in his Cadillac and I went with my assistant manager. I cried all the way. My heart racing as we got closer to our destination.

  As it was Halloween weekend, our Detroit radio station played the Orson Welles' Dramatization of War of the Worlds. It seems that the band had never heard of it and on that evening had not listened to the introduction. By the time they had reached Detroit, enhanced by the fact some were tripping, they thought the Martians had landed. What a psychic adventure that must have been, in addition to then go roller-skating. We played with Reality in those days. Never a worry, that not all would be well. We were explorers daring to enter other dimensions. Casualties did happen. Sid Barrett was one.

  Throughout the rest of the evening, I just skated to the music. I twirled, I jumped but I stayed my distance. Robert was looking worried and distant and if I dared stop, David would be there wanting to be close. He couldn't skate very well in his condition so Steve O'Rourke spent most of the time holding him up. Once as I was flying past, I overheard David say to Steve, ''That girl is a dream on Wheels!'' (Such a sweet and special memory.) All night, we went round and round the skating rink to the theme music from Shaft. It seemed to play over and over along with Sly and the Family Stone's "It's a Family Affair." Since then they became our theme songs of our first moments of Love.

  I have no idea how or when we got home. I was not sure how they made it back to their hotel either. All I remember is waking up in my bed at home. Robert and I slept in, resting from the night before, passing like ships each time we were awake. In one of those silent moments, I remember looking at the cover of Ummagumma on which David was sitting in the doorway. I went into a deep review of my life. The last few days had me taking a closer look at my life as if something inside of me had awakened and things had changed.

  My greatest dream was coming true. The one I frequently shared with Robert. I was honest and often I tried to leave. We were close friends. He offered a safe harbor. Looking back, I feel, we were playing a part of what we thought we wanted and should do. At least I was, but I was always clear about it. He knew that I felt strongly that my Prince Charming would appear one day. Each time I shared this with him, he called me a dreamer. I was appreciative of his care, his friendship. I often thought maybe over time I would fall in love with him in response to his kindness. However, I had a dream deep in my heart that my knight in shining armour would appear.

  In the early evening, the phone rang and Roger Waters was on the other end. He wanted to speak to Robert about playing golf the next day, as they had chatted about their mutual love of the game the previous evening. He asked if David could have a word first. I answered "Yes." When David got on the line, he asked if I could speak. I said, "No, not really." He suggested I just say yes or no to his questions. He asked if he could see me the next day. I said, "Yes." He then said that he would call in the morning to arrange where to meet. I then handed the phone to Robert saying that Roger Waters wanted to ask him something about golf. In the end, it was not possible because he was leaving early on a sales trip. David called me in the morning knowing that I would be alone in order to arrange where we could meet. I chose a Chinese Restaurant. We spoke about the last few days. He still felt the same and if ever I left my relationship, which to me was in a flux, to call him. The owner of the restaurant overheard our conversation and approached us. He asked if we would like our tea-leaves read. We said, "Yes." He said, "There will be a change. There is a house with white birds across the waters." I was to come to know that David's home in England had white doves and of course, it was across the waters.

  We went back to the hotel for it was time for David to leave. We hugged in the lobby, as everyone was there ready to leave. We had a farewell kiss goodbye as he handed me a piece of paper with his parents' phone number who lived in NYC. His final words were, "Call me, if things change." I left and walked away feeling that I had left part of my heart behind. He waved from their car as he passed. It was a warm afternoon. The sunlight felt comforting as I walked through the town back to our boutique. There was a 60s mystical bookshop upstairs and the manager was a close girlfriend. I shared my heart dilemma with her. She knew of all the times I had tried to leave Robert. She knew of all the times he had talked me into staying. She knew my true heart dream. Robert and I were just friends, companions. I asked her as tears ran down my face, "Am I being dishonourable to leave without telling him face to face? I have tried so many times before. Besides, what if David and I are just a flight of fancy?" She said, "Go! It is deeper than that." At that moment, I realized my decision WAS deeper. I needed to follow what was deep in my heart so that I could finally live its truth. Besides, it was fair for Robert to be set free. David was just a catalyst, putting me onto the path of my Soul. Going was opening the doorway to my next step. That choice was to be the first awakening to trust and act upon the Divine Plan awaiting my future. Of course, I had no idea then that is what it was. God kept it secret.

  Over the next few days, I decided to leave for good and dare to go into my next adventure. I wrote out a detailed business plan of what was to come into the shop over the next six months. I paid myself my wages due to me. I called my friends Stephan and Shelley Rubin in NYC and asked if I could stay with them until I got things sorted. We were close and had spent lots of time together over the years. I told them "It was over." They said, "Of course." I started packing and called the number that David had given me. His mother answered the phone. I shared with her that David had said to call if I were to come to town. I asked if she would tell him that I would be coming into the city on 5 November. He called back. He was in Princeton, New Jersey doing a gig and said he would pick me up.

  Just to add to the drama, I had gotten a lead role in a motion picture film. It was a mixture of Easy Rider and West Side Story. My gentle and innocent nature fit the part perfectly. Because of the unseasonal rain, the directors hadn't needed me on set and no contract had been signed. Throughout the whole evening as I did my packing, they kept calling to convince me to stay. They would give me refuge. I kept saying that I just had to go. Finally, by 4:00 a.m., they said, "Alright, go, but call us when you get there." My childhood dream of being a film actress now surrendered to the meeting of my prince charming, which was closer to my heart.

  Morpheus said he would look after Julie, my dog, until Robert returned. He would also drive me in his van to the airport. I kissed my precious Julie goodbye and left our house in Ann Arbor for good. As we went around the corner to the parallel street that led to the freeway, Morpheus suddenly put on the brakes. I looked up through my tears trying to focus.

  Two limousines were coming straight for us. One swerved and stopped in front of us blocking the way, the other went up onto the pavement and blocked us from behind. I panicked trying to figure out what was going on. Flashes of James Bond went through my head as my vision cleared. Two of the directors from the movie emerged from the limos.

  To my surprise, they had driven up from Detroit to make one last attempt to keep me from letting go of my role in the movie. As they approached the van, one of them said, "You can't leave!" The softhearted one came to my window. When he saw my tears and flushed expression as I shook my head as if to say, "I can't," he said to the other, "Let her go." Looking around towards the car, he gave the driver the OK to back away and said, "Call us when you get there." We drove like the wind and I ran, pushing four suitcases, my heart beating from the stress. I am sure passers-by could hear it. I wondered why is it that gates always seem so far away when one needed not to
miss one's flight. I made it. I had no idea what my next step would be but something inside was overjoyed, relieved as I stepped on that plane.

  "Dream no small dreams for they have no power to move the hearts of men".

  Goethe

  1749-1832

  CHAPTER 2

  ECHOES OF LOVE

  ARRIVING IN NYC

  5 NOVEMBER 1971

  "Excuse me Miss, can you fasten your seatbelt? We will be landing soon." Time had gone by so quickly and I started to get a bit nervous, my heart was racing. Soon, we shall be together... David and I.

  I was one of the first to disembark and there he was, standing, waiting for me to arrive. It was like a fairytale. I pinched myself to see if it was really happening. Our eyes met and we fell into each other's arms. His hair smelled of Strawberries as we came close and our hearts melted together in that moment. I couldn't stop smiling as we walked hand in hand into our future.

  As it turned out, I didn't go and stay with Stephan and Shelley, only my suitcases. David and I were so in love that we could not leave each other's side. Therefore, I went on tour for his last few weeks in America. Being on the road with a Rock 'n' Roll band was not something I ever thought I would do. But I felt safe in his arms. We went straight to his hotel room. The light filtered through the voile curtains, casting a fine mist like tone into the room.

  I walked over to the window and parted them to get a feeling of where we were as David sorted out the suitcases. I was entering the unknown, trusting the adventure. He came up to me from behind and held me in his arms as we looked out the window. Our souls melted, touching our destiny to be together. Unknowingly, we surrendered to God's Plan for our future guided by his Love, his Protection. David had a gig that night though I have no memories. All I remember is the Beauty of our first moments together. Free to love him. Free to be loved.

  We left NYC to finish his tour. They had twelve more gigs. We went to Cleveland then Buffalo until we reached Montreal. Every night their music was like a piece of fine silk draping over my heart tenderly. David had one of the roadies, Scot, looking after me while he was on stage. He wanted him to put a chair by their mini-mixer behind the curtain on his side of the stage with a drink for me every night. Each time David was not playing guitar he would come off stage and sit me on his lap. We were constantly in each other's arms, kissing held in a lovers embrace.

  I remember Roger's expression, the first time David did this. His head hung low as he was playing his bass guitar. He looked to the right from behind his hair to find David wasn't there. He could see us in the distance hugging. Shrugging his shoulders, he continued playing. David was more known to have his back to the audience when he wasn't singing but always there. I think this behaviour was new to the band.

  My days were magical as I entered into the World of Pink Floyd. They had hired Arthur Max to be in charge of the lights and special effects. He was so resourceful. Sometimes he went to various schools and rented equipment to enhance the beauty of the show. We got on very well. Once during "Echoes," which had just been released and the blue lights dimmed, I said to him, "Wouldn't it be wonderful to have snowflakes drifting gently down?" Do you know what he did? He went to a florist and got all of their old flowers, roses and chrysanthemums. During the afternoon, someone must have plucked them apart, put them into bags ready for the show. Later a roadie took them up to his post up on the rafters and let them go slowly during "Echoes." Such Beauty! I was happy. I kept trying to inspire him to create a rainbow, but it never happened.

  I can't remember which gig it was, but during the concert I happened to be at the mixer for the first half. One of the promoters was standing there with me. He began to make advances as if I were an apple he could pluck from the tree. He was drunk. I was shocked! I left and went backstage to our dressing room and waited for David to come. When I told him shaking like a little sparrow, he said in his English accent, "Oh, he was trying to get your knickers down. Ignore him," and he held me in his arms. To me, knickers were a style of trousers, but for the British they were your underpants. Well, that began my education of another aspect of being on the road - that women were for the taking. Not me. I was with my Prince Charming. I was out of bounds, a precious jewel to be treasured.

  One night I had an enlightening experience, which to this day has guided me forward silently, unknowingly, through most challenges. We were in Montreal. The gig had been special. The world was a carpet of snow and we were in bliss. Montreal is a wonderful city, old and majestic. I found the Canadians warm and gentle people. The gig was over and David and I went back to our room to catch some rest. During the night, I awoke suddenly. I opened my eyes to find that light filled the room... white light. It was brilliant and through the light looking over at David, I tried to wake him. His face had become the face of Christ. I held my breath, for in that moment, I felt that I had made the right decision to be with him. From then on, in my heart, our Love became boundless, sacred and divine.

  I had been raised a Catholic with a belief in God and Christ, but over the years I had become disillusioned. The misuse of his message had soured it. Blocking me from knowing what he really is for us, for the world. It still would take years of being inspired through other teachings before I learned the difference between the institution and the passion of Christ. This night planted a seed. However, I realize now that my inner nature has always been with Christ. Goodness, kindness, compassion, and most of all the loving of all creation, including those, which we do not understand. The basic principles of being a Christian I am. I was not to know this for a long time. Nor would I know that not all Christians live those qualities. I was just a good person. I wouldn't hurt a fly. I always saved stray cats, dogs and people. My heart was big and the Floyd's music opened it further.

  CHAPTER 3

  MEETING THE PARENTS

  NYC-CARNEGIE HALL

  15 NOVEMBER 1971

  I felt like a trouper by the time we came back to New York City. I had made friends with all the road crew as well. Nance Steele was a lovely girl who traveled with the crew and most nights she sat at the mixer. She was a sweetheart. I loved how David would always go out at the end of a gig and say, "Ta Da-Night," waving his hands in the air. He continued to do this over the years. I loved his heart and his Honor toward his team who helped make the show possible. He was gentle and caring, though most of the time held in his silent, quiet English way. The number of times I heard and experienced the truth of those words are innumerable.

  This aspect of their culture floats over my life memories. Sometimes it is poetic, sometimes not, especially for an American whose nature was to be free with her joy and her feelings. I have learned a lot being with them. I have become a universal citizen. Experiencing many other ways of being and cultures has opened my mind and heart further to Love Humanity, in all our unique differences. To find Unity, to Love and Appreciate that we are all children of God with a Divine Spark waiting to shine. "Shine On" speaks loudly to us All! The Floyd was to play Carnegie Hall and Arthur Max had something to show them. So we had to go down near Times Square. There were workmen in a black machine that resembled a Martian Space Machine from the movie War of Worlds, which actually didn't come out until 2005. It was a cherry picker and was used not to pick cherries, but to repair streetlights and things up high on buildings or billboards. It was enormous.

  Arthur arranged a demonstration for the band before they went back for rehearsals and sound check. His vision was to attach lights to them and they would move like beings, lifting from the stage, traveling over their heads. This was a YES and we grew very fond of them as they added a majestic quality to the shows. I can still hear Rick playing as they rose into the night sky. I think the Floyd were the first to use them in this context. As a result, the Lorries got larger as their equipment continued to increase.

  David's parents, Doug and Sylvia, came to the gig and we went out to dinner with them afterwards. I was a bit nervous to meet them, but it turned out to be q
uite special. Another day, we went to their home. They had an apartment in the village, simple and filled with treasures they loved. Sylvia and I had lots in common. We loved Beauty. She was just like the images in the movies of the gentle English Rose, in her flowing dresses. Her quiet demeanour hid another aspect of her nature, which later would be revealed to me. She was intelligent, highly creative and a bundle of Joy. She was a film editor and when I shared my story about leaving the film, she was touched. She was happy her son found the Love of someone who loved so deeply. Over the years we became very good friends, we got along really well.

  David's Dad was quiet, even more so than Sylvia. He was a geneticist and it took a while for me to get used to his eyes that observed. They were very much awake, silently piercing and yet thoughtful. He kept a lot to himself and I never knew what he was thinking half the time except when he was cooking. I loved how close they were with each other. The bond of Love between them helped make me feel comfortable being in their presence. I often found them dancing in the kitchen to a favorite song playing on the radio or in the garden amongst their white roses. They loved life. Carnegie Hall left an even deeper impression than the magic of the gig. It awakened an interest in me for Architecture and the Art of the Twenties. I was from a coast guard family after my mother remarried and we spent most of our time on the bases or in the shopping mall, barefoot on the weekends. I knew much more about large military boats and the coast guard bases than this aspect of American culture, which I had never known existed. I focused more on my studies and adapting to new schools as my stepfather transferred almost every year. We drank Shirley Temples on the weekends and danced the polka with my sister in the base cantina after catechism.