Trip to the Fair

There really was a trip to the fair, and nobody there. It happened on the first date between Renaissance lead singer Annie Haslam and Roy Wood, famous for his work in Electric Light Orchestra. Most Renaissance songs, including this one, were written by group member Michael Dunford and their lyricist Betty Thatcher, who drew on Annie's story about the date for inspiration. When we spoke with Haslam in 2012, she told the story: "We had some time off from recording, and Dick Plant, who was our sound engineer at De Lane Lea Studios, said, 'Annie, Roy was coming into the studio to record.' He said, 'I know you've got the day off, but I really think you should meet him up.' He said, 'You'd really hit it off, because he's funny, as well. You'd just love each other.' And we did. [Laughs] I met him and that was the beginning of a four-year relationship. We got engaged and everything and blah blah blah. The first date was at Trader Vic's at the Hilton at Park Lane in London. We went with Dick Plant and his wife Annie - another Annie - and we were drinking these scorpions, these giant drinks made out of white rum with gardenias floating in the top. Oh my God, they were unbelievable. We had a great time, and we were there till the place closed, I think. I was a little legless, as they say. I think we all were, actually. And I think Dick or somebody said, 'Why don't we go to Hampstead Heath, there's a fair on.' I think it was Easter weekend. 1975, I think it would be. So we drove to the fair, and when we got there, it was closed and there was nobody there. Betty had said to me, 'Let me know how your date is going.' So I called her up and that's what happened."