```OMD, a name that many people know, but a name
without a face, just a name that has been around for a very long time. Songs
that are played on the radio, songs that people have at home, but each song
for those that remember them has its own special meaning, and maybe captured
a moment in a lifetime.
For my self I heard OMD for the first time in '79 and for one reason
or another it caught my imagination, out of the Punk scene something was
missing, the teenagers of that time wanted something new, something refreshing,
and for my self, I think that I may have found it. Being a lover of synth
music, and a huge fan of TubeWay Army (Gary Numan) I wanted change, and
OMD had got it.
Growing up and life changing, OMD seemed to always be there you never knew
what to expect next. Messages was and still is my favourite OMD song and
it has it all, even to day. So as time moved on the band made many albums,
some good , some bad, some weird, but all of them had there own place and
there own time.
God when her was a tour there was a buzz, getting to the venues and seeing
the band live was always a highlight, the energy, the passion. the whole
scene was something that can never be forgotten. But time moved on....
Around the Sugar Tax period, I made friends with fans, and found out that
I was not the only OMD fan out there, and WOW what a relief. Meeting Paul
Browne and Phil Marsh the co authors of the now defunct Telegraph magazine
was changing point in it all. 
We all got on very well, and we held some brilliant
parties, and over the years we bought together many fans, who still are
good friends, but "politics" and other things brought down the
Telegraph Magazine. But being human we all still kept in touch, and with
Paul Browne still more OMD theme parties were held, and even more fans from
around the world met up and became friends.
Around the period of the Liberator album, events that changed my life happened,
and these events unknown to me led to where I am today. The Liberator tour
was a blast, and fuck what a mad few weeks those turned out to be. The most
saddest thing for every single fan was that this was going to be the final
tour, and we all never knew it. Wembley 12th December was the final date,
the last ever gig, no more that was the end. Maybe if we knew it was all
over it would have been a sad thing, but not knowing it was a happy time,
but man I wish that I knew it was going to be the last ever chance to see
OMD live...
Not long after this I found the internet, and also
found other new fans from around the world, finding Pats World of OMD was
refreshing, a fan who had never seen OMD live, but who was dedicated enough
to devote all his spare time and a whole site to the band, thanks Pat for
all your help over the years, and I am sure I speak for all those who visit
his site cheers, we all owe you a drink.
But the final album came out and yea it was Universal, so much was in this
album, so fucking much, but sadly it did not get its dessert, and those
who did the PR, want shooting... sorry but I own a business, and I know
about PR, OK maybe not in the music scene, but I know PR (I had as my first
car a Reliant 3 wheeler, and now have a brand new BMW, a business that started
from nothing, to being one of the most advanced in the UK, so I think I
have a idea on what I am talking about)
But Universal came and then went away, holding with it a great amount of
sadness for the fans. And now we have the new records, Sash, who are the
dogz, along with Moby Apollo 440 and errrr the micro thingies. These songs
are aimed at another generation, and how so much I hope that they work,
but we will have to wait and see. A big mistake though , in my humble opinion
is the Micro errr thingies version of Electricity.. a mistake if you ask
me... a BIG mistake.
The new album has got to do well, and was to be a way of a goodbye, a collection
of songs to "whistle to at bus stops" and cherish each tune for
its own value, to reflect on what you were doing when you first heard the
song.
And so, now we are at the end, this is it, game over. I have moved on in
my life, and for all the dedicated, even obsessive fans, its time to get
on with things, no more wish list's no more live gigs, the game is over...
Thanks to every single person over the years who I have met, special thanks
to those that have continued to keep in touch. And for the devotion to the
fans thanks toJan,Mike, Phil, Paul, Pat without you the fans would have
dissolved many years ago, your work will never get a thank you, but I understand
what's goes on , and the personal time that you give up.
BYE For Now!!
Neil Taylor 2.00am Wednesday 17.09.98
