Travis frontman FRAN HEALY escaped a knife attack in NEW YORK last week (May 12) thanks to the intervention of NME photographer ROGER SARGENT.
Following the band’s New York Irving Plaza show Healy had been signing autographs outside the venue when a passer-by began making obscene remarks. At one point the man suggested that Fran “sign [his] cock” to which the singer joked that he would but with four letters in his name he feared the said appendage would not be big enough.
According to witnesses the man carried on with his verbal attack for some time until he was urged to stop by NME photographer Roger Sargent, who had been working at the show. The man turned his attentions on Roger, threatening to cut his throat.
Events turned nasty, a knife was pulled and police were called.
For the full story, see this week’s NME, (May 27), in shops nationwide in the UK from tomorrow (May 23).