..year two...
I thought that 1996 was about as cool as the Heepnet could get...I mean, we all met, hung out, Powwow'd, a few us met each other, and the mailing lists started. Although I knew SOME of the things that were going to happen with the band, and the web, I didn't realize that with all of us involved, that this thing could get so big ! 1997 was a banner year, for sure.
The presence of Heep on the net still brings in new people every day. And they all say the same thing....the same thing we said at the Heepvention in St. Louis...."I thought I was the only person who loved Heep" ! Well....they are NOT the only people who love the music of Uriah Heep, and they are CERTAINLY not alone anymore !
This year has seen the establishment of in excess of 50 Internet sites, founded by Heeplovers from all over the world. Anyone anywhere can jump on the Internet, and in 3 minutes find a virtual explosion of information about the band, the songs, pics, old info, new info, lists of people they can write to, touring schedules, song chords, and lyrics. There are pictures of many of us now of there, and many of us have had the opportunity to meet, and some more than once !
There have been some really cool moments, and some not so cool ones, but all in all, how could you help but get off on the job we have all done ! We are all one community now, established and recognized.
The band KNOWS we are out here, in the bits of cyberspace that we control, and they love it. I think I have kind of looked at this whole thing as a kind of quest to promote the music primarily, but my "quest" has become more fun then work now. The people I correspond with are now close friends. We know maybe too much about each other sometimes, but that tends to happen to people that talk to each other ALL the time ! There isn't a time that I can remember that I have logged on to ICQ, and didn't see SOMEONE I knew on there.
Yeah, I know...we all spend too much time on the web, too much time chatting, too much time, doing pages, and playing tunes, and too much time concerned with the band of 5 so far away. But - what would you rather do !!!! Friday night on ICQ!!!!
So, my friends....it's been a wonderful, wonderful year with many highlights, that I have tried to list below. The bond of the Heepsters is stronger then ever now....the momentum is still growing, and personally, I don't see it stopping for some time.... So Heep on, enjoy the ride...
Ladies and Gentlemen, will you welcome please, The Heepsters on the Web !
David Byron find in Ohio
Jesse Lowe had heard that David Byron's Rough Diamond band had played at the Agora Ballroom in Cleveland, and that maybe there was a tape of the event....there was !! WMMS radio in Cleveland had a copy, and Brian Chalmers provided it to us !Establishment of the Heepnet list
The Heepnet listing...a place where Heepfans can sign up and make their presence known around the world ! Over 150 members now !Founded www.uriah-heep.com
Ten of the Heepsters contributed towards the cost of obtaining the URL www.uriah-heep.com based out of Cleveland. We presented the band with a plaque commerating the event.Hani and I and Rod Join Forces March
At the same time as www.uriah-heep.com was being founded, Hani So, Rodrigo Werneck, and I decided to join forces and provide links to various pages within our own websites, that looked the same as each other. www,uriah-heep.com now contains links to Ohio, Singapore, and Brazil ! Transparent to the user, it all appears to be one site ! Has been great working with you both !Establishment of the Heepster chat site
A place you can log into, and see if anyone is there to chat with...you never know just WHO you will find !Denny Ball Interview by Rod
Rod found Denny Ball on the Heepster chat site, and conducted a subsequent interview with him...Excellent ! Kevin Julie published the interview in his "From Time to Time" Magazine1st St. Louis get together
A sparse, but very energetic group of about 10 of met in St. Louis in May. It was a ball, and a look into the future Heepventions !Mick celebrates his 50th birthday !
My Mom finds a note about it in a Florida paper and sends it to me !King Biscuit releases San Diego Live in 1974 !
King Biscuit contacts the Heepsters for helping them with photos and information..TOO COOL ! Our submissions are on the CD, and the Heepsters on the Web, and www.uriah-heep.com are recognized!Heepvention PA in May
6-7 of us met in Mt. Holly Springs Pennsylvania for the 1st time, to Heepout ! A grand time for all, and provided us with the quote that will live forever : "Hey, Are you the Heep guys?"Ken Hensley joined us, August
Ken Hensley joins a Heepchat, and provides 4 hours of a very exciting chat !!! He then joined our mailing list, and remained with us for 4 months !Establishment of the Heep Webring
Mick Box Joined us, All things Heep September
Mick starts updating my mailbox with Heep info...I title the e-mails "All Things Heep" Each one is listed in order on the site. Then, during the summer while the band has a break from touring, Mick joins the Heepsters mailing list as well ! Mick and Ken in touch with the Heepsters ! Marvelous !50th Heepsite Moshe Lavi
Time for celebration.....we reach a milestone...50 Internet sites with the Heepsters On The Web logo on it...Mick sends in a special e-mail congratulating us !More recordings !
I pursue more recording opportunities with the Heepsters...I finally publish a cassette with 10 or so of the ones I like the most...was made into a CD
and I gave one to the band !Heepvention ‘97 !
30 Heepsters from around the world converge on St. Louis for a gala celebration of Uriah Heep's Music, and each other !Giveaways!
1st a Uriah Heep Video, then the CD "Uriah Heep, the Collection", then the Shotgun jacket, from Ken !The Classic Mining Company does a feature story on the Heepsters on the Web ! Patty WIlliams contacted me and asked to do a story of the Heepsters !
Billboard Magazine contacts Rod about Ken!
Marley Brant is a writer currently preparing a comprehensive history of Southern Rock for Billboard Books. He will be talking to Ken Hensley very soon, about his time with Blackfoot.I see the Heep gig December 4th gig in Nurenmberg with Richard Wagner and Thommie Mueller !
I wish each and everyone of you the best of the holiday season, and to thank you all for the tremendous support you have shown me...
It's been a wonderful year...and 1998 has some BIG surprises in store for us ;-)
Sincerely, Dave White
