I knew you were something different, Moz, as soon as I – not-so-sweet sixteen, in November 1983 – first saw you, swinging those gladioli on Top of the Pops.
And I can still hear my mother mimicking the "uh-huh-hos" blaring from my bedroom after I had raced back from Our Price, Brent Cross, with my The Smiths cassette.
I was in your audience in Tel Aviv, yesterday evening.
And at a time that most of the world is kicking us in the nadgers – the IOC refusing a minute's silence for the 11 Israelis murdered in Munich and spineless muppets like Marc Almond cancelling gigs here, for fear of offending Islamofascist anti-Semites and their Israel-only bashing apologists (of the variety that blight this site) – I thank you, Moz, for standing by us.
Unlike Leonard Cohen (who felt he had to 'justify' his concert here by turning it into a peace circus) and Dylan (who couldn't bring himself to share a single word with his audience), you were with us heart and soul.
And seeing you parade and drape yourself in kachol ve'lavan means more to us (or, at least, to me) than you can imagine . . . I mean, I know it doesn't make you Theodor Herzl; but sadly, in these dark days, merely not being ashamed to be associated with Israel is, in itself, huge.
Indeed, I will even pardon you for not performing the greatest song of all time! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INgXzChwipY&feature=fvst)
Todah, Moz . . . you are our light that never goes out.
[For links to videos and photos, see original post: http://melchettmike.wordpress.com/2012/07/22/and-were-still-fond-of-you-... ]