This story was sent to me via my You Tube channel https://www.youtube.com/@istvanetiam6691 a few years ago. On the 30 March 2026, it will be the 10th anniversary of Andy’s passing. In the next few weeks, I shall post photos, videos and stories regarding my friend Andy Newman who was a lovely human being.
“Back in 1986, I was managing a band called Cuddly Toys, and we had recently hooked-up with Angie Bowie who had heard of them due to their indie chart hit of the unreleased Bowie/Bolan composition ‘Madman.’
One Sunday morning, after a particularly riotous party, Angie suggested that we clear our heads with a leisurely stroll.
She was living in Clapham at the time, and we ventured out and took the polluted air.
As we passed Battersea Power Station, I was vaguely aware of a large, and slightly dishevelled-looking character in a green cap and long coat walking towards us. I was more startled when Angie suddenly yelled in her best broad American accident; “Hey, Thunder!!”
He stopped, pleased to see her, and they chatted for a while. He said that he had just finished his shift on the railway. He walked with us for a while and then left us to make his way home.
As we walked back to her flat, I asked Angie why she had called the man Thunder. She looked at me quite incredulously and said: “Because he’s Thunderclap Newman!”
Over the next couple of years I met him many times at Angie’s and had many happy conversations with him. He was the most fascinating man to listen to. He had a vast intellect and incredible general knowledge, which he never used to impress, but merely to entertain.
A very small grey dog which he doted upon somewhat reminiscent of a large woodlouse, usually accompanied Andy.
I remember with huge fondness one occasion when Thunder attended one of our concerts at a venue called ‘The Flag’ in Wembley. After busying myself backstage, I came round to the bar to find Andy seated at a table, surrounded by a large group of people who were obviously completely transfixed by some anecdote that he was sharing with them. Intrigued. I sat down to listen-in. He was talking to them on the intricacies of income tax! That man remains to this day, one of my favourite ever people.”
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