I’m not a ‘friend’ of Bills on Facebook and the background to that is at the time he started on there I was avoiding all social media and I mistakenly as it turns out assumed he would continue to use this, his own dedicated website (Dreamsville) to keep fans posted. By the time I realised Bill was primarily using FB to communicate with his followers and took the step of opening an account with the sole purpose of keeping up to date with his activities, was unable to be his friend as he’d already acquired 5,000 ‘friends’, which I understand is the maximum he was / is allowed to have. I’ve had an open request on FB to become Bills friend on there for ages now – I’m always hopeful! On a positive note though, I am a member of the excellent Bill Nelson and Be Bop Deluxe (official FB group) and strangely don’t have any of these problems, not even with Bills own posts on there?: -

Appreciate you showing us this latest posting of Bills on his Facebook page Alec - I'm still seeing this: - Thank you 🙂

How was your Birthday yesterday Bill, were you able to get out to a nice restaurant and enjoy a lovely meal with your wonderful Emiko?

Very Best Wishes on your Birthday Bill, have a wonderful day.

Having read some of the author's comments here: - https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/the-creationists/creating-trouser-press-with-0SF2pJ7rGLB/ Steve Waxman: Well, it's interesting, because in issue 34, there's an intro from you, where you sort of talk about how the bands that you were championing before they were popular in America have now become popular, and they're not really your bag anymore. Ira Robbins: Right, right. Yeah, I've always, always had that kind of dog in the manger instinct about once the band that I discovered becomes popular. It's like my enthusiasm wanes a little bit. It's not a good thing. And I have fought it myself at times. But at the same time, bands change. I've given this a lot of thought. I wrote a whole article once about Be Bop Deluxe, who I discovered in England 1974. I was on a trip there, and somebody at Harvest (Records) gave me their album and when I got home, I loved it and ended up following and interviewing Bill Nelson a bunch of times and saw the band play a bunch of times and got a little friendly with them and was really enthusiastic. And then they made a record that I didn't really care for. Clearly, if you know anything about Nelson's career, you know that, over time, he was on a hugely different trajectory than what you might have guessed from a Bowie-esque glam band, that Be Bop Deluxe started as. I mean, his solo records are entirely something else. And he just kind of moved very far away from what I had initially liked about them. I had a kind of critical crisis of l 'Can I rip a band that I really like, because they made a record that I don't like, or do I have an obligation to keep liking them and kind of wait until they get back on track?' And the conclusion I came to was 'No, I've got to say what I think.' .....personally, I think I'll give his book(s) a miss. I expect the record he's referring to is 'Drastic Plastic', so heaven knows what he made of 'Sound On Sound' when it was released; not to mention all the amazing solo albums that came after that? I do agree with a couple of his comments though; that approach to following bands / artists is "not a good thing" and Bill's solo albums are "entirely something else". They certainly are something else - in an entirely positive way!

I don't believe there were any legitimate recordings (either audio or video) of these BN & the PD performances. Certainly nothing was ever officially made available from either this or the 1981 Invisibility Exhibition tours. And just the one flyer that I'm aware of; from the PD London gig at 'Heaven' nightclub that I was fortunate enough to attend on the 1st June 1981. I was right at the front of the stage and having bought a copy of the AFOS first single '(It's Not Me) Talking' on Cocteau Records was quite vocal in my appreciation of their performance; which resulted in Mike Score handing me their written setlist that I've kept hold of ever since.

I’ve been compiling a Christmas CD from Bill’s musical Xmas gifts to us for many years now. Every year I add the latest one to the track list and burn a new CDR to play over the festive period; purely for my own (and my family's!) enjoyment. It makes for a very evocative listen and sure beats all those other seasonal offerings that so many other artists put out at this time of the year into a cocked hat! The latest track listing drawn from either the video or audio only tunes Bill's put out over the years: - The compilation now has the current respectable running time of 53.32 and I even use one of Bill’s Christmas cards sent to fans in 1984 for the cover: - I do my best at 'mastering' the tracks to equal volume levels for playback, but I know John Spence would do ten times better for the official WN Christmas album! Seasons Greetings from me to Mr William, and all here at Dreamsville.

Hope you're enjoying your Birthday Bill and able to suitably celebrate the occasion with Emiko. Can I take this opportunity to thank you for the wonderful music you've given us this year and here's to much more to come. Very Best Wishes, David

It's arrived - what a wonderful item to behold! Disc 1 is going on the player right now - this is what being a follower of Bill and his wonderful music is all about!!!

Your music has given me something to look forward to and always raise my spirits when listening to it for the past 45 years Bill. Thank you and long may you keep it coming.

My wishes have been rewarded - Order in to Burning Shed!!! Thank you Bill and everyone involved in getting Dazzlebox to this stage; just got to be patient now until it's released next month and we can hear the music. There is light ahead, in these still gloomy days.

There are some more photo’s here Bill, which may or may not help to clarify whether it’s the same house:- https://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-69805156.html The property I found from a quick lookup of ‘West Acre’ in Kirk Ella came up with that one – which was / possibly still is up for sale for a cool £1,150,000. I thought it fairly unlikely that 2 houses in the same village would have the same name, but not impossible I guess. This one is in West Ella Road and not Riplingham Road; so I may have put 2 & 2 together to make 5 - quite a coincidence though!

I think it's a small typo and hotbroooks is referring to the music TV series 'Star Rider' from 1977 that features a performance from BBD:- https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11005038/fullcredits From which this poorly recorded clip is taken:- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFSWHpBj3Lo It would indeed be incredible if someone, somewhere, were to find a decent recording of that program; such as you have found with your video of 'Pop Quest'. But alas, I think the chance of that happening after all these years is tiny, to none!

This was the TV program that got me started on the path of following Be-Bop and then BN since I watched it around October 1976. I'd love to see it again after all these years, if you can put it on youtube Bill, that would be amazing! Did you find yourself watching old tapes during lockdown? It's ironic that it's only in these strange and sad times that we've found ourselves with some time to do those things we've been meaning to get round to for so long! A number of musicians seem to be doing the same thing and coming up with long lost recordings they'd forgotten about.

Still missing Ian as much today as when he left us 14 years ago. First met him when I was 17 and 44 when he passed away; his music, both with Bill and his many other projects, played a big part in my life in those years. I hold onto the memories of meeting him on a number of occasions at various gigs and chatting to him on the phone in the 80’s and early 90’s; before catching up again at the early Nelsonica’s in North Ferriby in the early noughties. Thinking of Ian today and also Bill, who obviously still misses him terribly; despite the passing of years and particularly at this sad time.

Many Congratulations to you Bill and Emiko on reaching this milestone in your relationship and may you enjoy many more years together in the times to come. So sorry to hear about your fall, hope you’ll be fully recovered soon and also that you will be able to have a celebration more befitting of the occasion in the near future, once we’re all out of the present situation. Many thanks for posting those lovely pictures and wonderful to see you both together in Clarence Park - if I’m not mistaken. It’s great for your avid followers to see you ‘going back to your roots’ in your hometown of Wakefield and the old Northern Dream stomping ground; especially when it’s shared with the ‘love of your life’! Very best wishes to you both for better days ahead.

Ordered my copy from Burning Shed weeks ago – and no show! The day of official release today and my postie has been and gone; no problems I’m aware of with post at the moment and I’m currently at home all the time for obvious reasons, so it’s not like they’ve tried to deliver but unsuccessfully. Must confess to being disappointed in BS; they’ve always got all my previous orders to me on time. Doubly peeved knowing that it’s been available to download for a few days now – but don’t see why I should have to shell out again for digital copy when I should have the physical item to play by now. Anyone else with a similar problem, or is it just me?

Bill, may I express my deepest condolences on the sad passing of your dear mum. It was June 1990 when you were playing the concert at Wakefield Cathedral with Ian that I had the fortune & privilege to find myself sitting next to your mum and meeting her for the first time. We chatted after your performance and she was genuinely interested in how far I’d travelled to be there. I’d travelled up to Yorkshire the previous Saturday for your performance at Thornes Park as part of the Wakefield Arts Festival and we had a wonderful, relaxed and flowing conversation about the places I’d stayed and Yorkshire landmarks I’d visited during my week in the county. It was just like chatting with a friend or relative; I was completely taken aback with how lovely, caring and considerate she was; what with me being a complete stranger and initially our only common ground being her son’s music. After the concert and you emerged from the rear entrance of the Cathedral, your mum was straight over to give you a big, warm hug and tell you how much she’d enjoyed the performance. It was quite clear from that moment in time I witnessed, just a tiny bit of the love you both shared and that has made you the person you are. Back at that time I was also privileged to be able to call Ian a friend, having established the relationship and been in regular contact on the phone for a few years since his Fiat Lux days; a few hundred miles between our respective homes unfortunately making physical meeting logistically impossible, apart from at his concert performances. I lost my dad and grandparents some years ago but thank the heavens for every day I still have my 88 year old mum and siblings. With both your brother Ian and now your dear mum having left this mortal world, I can’t begin to contemplate your current emotions but hope that maybe after the rawness has healed to some extent in the weeks and months to come, you will find some solace in the thought, they will now be together. My heartfelt thoughts are with you, Julia, Elle & Elliot for the loss of their beloved gran / nanny and also Emiko for her loss of I’m sure the best mum-in-law she could ever have wished for. David

Very sorry to hear the news about your dear Mum’s health setback Bill, I’m sending my love and best wishes for her speedy recovery. Don’t forget to look after yourself as well; I’m sure she needs you there for her more than ever at present. And don’t push yourself too hard, your Mum’s and your health have to take priority over anything else, at least until she is better. You can rest easy that there’ll be enough love in Leeds next month to ensure the Old Haunts launch party is an evening to remember, regardless of any perceived shortcomings you feel there might be.

Many thanks for confirming Westdeep. I must confess to being both relieved and sad. Relieved for obvious reasons but also a bit sad it was necessary to ask the question - after around 6-7 weeks of wondering why we’ve had no updates here at Dreamsville. But pleased I checked now and the main thing is that Bill is okay & out there working on future sonic delights for us. I’m registered here (as well as with Burning Shed) and get the email updates regarding new releases, downloads etc. so guess I’ll just have to wait for them, rather than checking in here for regular journal updates from Bill as to what’s going on in his life.