Sheffield man comes to the rescue of Public Enemy, takes them to arena in his Ford Focus
A local gig photographer experiences the "most surreal journey" of his life.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Well, that's one way to make an entrance.
Gig photographer Kevin Wells, aged 50, experienced what he'll forever describe as the "most surreal journey" of his life when hip-hop legends Public Enemy were recently left stranded before a Sheffield gig.
The band had been checking out the iconic Record Collector store in Broomhill and signing copies of their new album. As Wells told The Star, “Public Enemy had a taxi booked for 6.30pm, but it drove off before the guys had finished signing autographs."
Wells himself just happened to be in attendance, hoping to grab a last-minute autograph from one of his favourite bands. Though a gig photographer himself, with plans to cover several other concerts across the city later that evening, nothing could in reality prepare him for the experience of driving around the rap legends responsible for 1990's Fight the Power in a Ford Focus. A Chevy Cruze, maybe.
"People started panicking and looking for someone to drive, so I volunteered. They were such nice guys, we had a right laugh. We were chatting away, but the phone was constantly going as their management were clearly worried. Then as we were coming through Attercliffe, "Bohemian Rhapsody", by Queen, came on the radio. Everyone was singing the words and rocking out in the back of my car, it was like a Wayne’s World moment. I was looking in the rear view mirror thinking, ‘is this actually happening?’
We got to the arena about 15 minutes before they were due on stage. I drove up to security and said, ‘I’ve got the band in the back.’ They looked at me as if I was having them on, but then I rolled down the windows and Chuck D showed them the security pass. Amazing, it just didn’t feel real.”
After a few celebratory hugs, Wells drove off and back into his own universe, photographing gigs that night by Scouting for Girls and The Enemy. Well, if there was ever a reason to keep the inside of your car clean, there it is.
Public Enemy released their 15th album Man Plans God Laughs on 16 July, 2015
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments