I worked in a music shop in Dublin back in the 1980’s. When someone came in to try a guitar I would be as accommodating as possible. I would always start a conversation with whoever I was dealing with.

This chap came in one day to try a bass guitar. While I was showing him a couple I asked him how long he played the bass. He said in a very well spoken accent, that he was playing a few years. Continuing my usual patter, I asked him if he played in a band, to which he replied that he did.

Thinking that he played the Dublin scene, I asked him if he was gigging much. He said that at the moment he wasn't but when he was he was flat out 6 nights a week, to which I replied that's great to have that much work. He said that he felt he was lucky to make a living out of it.

I asked what bass he played. He told me that he had about twenty, and people kept giving them to him for free. I think at this point he was amused that I had no idea who he was.

I couldn't get my thick head around that statement so I repeated what he just said back to him. You have twenty basses and people give you them for free? What band do you play with? To which he replied, U2.

That was the time I met Adam Clayton from U2 and asked him if he played in a band.

I also met Charlie Burchill, the guitarist from Simple Minds. I thought he was the roadie. I have a gift for putting my feet in it.