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Post by rok-a-bill-e on Feb 7, 2020 16:15:17 GMT -5
And I forgot Whispering Bill Anderson, he was a great guy and very funny!
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JDC
Wholenote
I STILL say: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it"
Posts: 527
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Post by JDC on Feb 7, 2020 16:46:28 GMT -5
Didn't think of the "head nod" instances. One that sticks out in my mind happened in Las Vegas. Between our shows ( sometime in the late 1980s) the drummer and I were grabbing a bite to eat at a food court upstairs from the venue we were playing in The Mint Casino. Three ladies were in the booth behind me when, down the hallway, strode 5 guys. The fellow in the middle of the 5 locked eyes with me and gave me the "I can tell you're a picker" head nod. At that same moment, one of the ladies , behind me, said (in a disparaging tone) "Look at how those men are dressed. They look like someone Willie Nelson would have with him". I turned around to the booth behind and said "Ma'am, that WAS Willie Nelson". Was amazing how quickly her attitude immediately went from disparaging to starstruck. lol
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Post by Leftee on Feb 7, 2020 16:50:37 GMT -5
Didn't think of the "head nod" instances. One that sticks out in my mind happened in Las Vegas. Between our shows ( sometime in the late 1980s) the drummer and I were grabbing a bite to eat at a food court upstairs from the venue we were playing in The Mint Casino. Three ladies were in the booth behind me when, down the hallway, strode 5 guys. The fellow in the middle of the 5 locked eyes with me and gave me the "I can tell you're a picker" head nod. At that same moment, one of the ladies , behind me, said (in a disparaging tone) "Look at how those men are dressed. They look like someone Willie Nelson would have with him". I turned around to the booth behind and said "Ma'am, that WAS Willie Nelson". 😂
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Post by mojito on Feb 7, 2020 17:09:45 GMT -5
Pretty wide genres of music in my meets and hangouts......... Chuck Berry - despite the stories a pretty nice guy. Spent an evening hanging with Pure Praire League - 70's line up Nils Lofgren - Kind of quiet but very nice Dick Dale - talked at length and then we sat together watching a seminar conducted by Les Paul Bernie Marsden - a great guy and multiple times my wife and I have had the pleasure of his company Davy Knowles - great guy David Grissom - nice guy John Paul Jones - very cool and funny guy Ricky Skaggs - what a treasure he is Sara Watkins - super nice
I'm sure I will think of a few more once I post this.
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Post by stratcowboy on Feb 7, 2020 19:46:46 GMT -5
All these stories remind me of more...
Used to be that Bo Diddley had a ranchette in Bernalillo, NM (outside of Albuquerque). So he would often be going-and-coming between Chicago and Albuquerque. Back in those days, I actually used to fly on planes (I've only been on one plane trip in the last dozen years). So to get anywhere back east when leaving from Albuquerque (or returning), you usually went through Chicago. Several times I saw Mr. Diddley on the plane and always said hello. Even sat across the aisle from him on one of those trips.
Back when I was a kid, I worked at a drive-up ice cream place that was popular back in those days on Long Island. The Rascals lived in the area, and they used to have their trick cars serviced at a boutique place where some of the guys who worked for my dad would also have their service done. It was close by the ice cream place where I worked. So the Rascals would come by periodically and I'd ALWAYS give them free ice cream. They even played a time or 2 at our high school for assembly (WTF !!??!!). No fancy stage rig, just set up the gear in the gym and play. Obviously things are different today. Definitely loved those guys.
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Post by larryguitar54 on Feb 7, 2020 20:56:11 GMT -5
Muddy Waters in Tallahassee circa '74. He was doing a show at the Student Union and FSU. I got a chance to walk up and shake his hand. His remark to me, (I'm 6'4" was "damn they grow 'em big down here!")
I did a couple workshops at Fur Peace Ranch so I spent a couple days with Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Cassidy and Bill Kirchen. All good guys.
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Post by Laker on Feb 7, 2020 21:03:16 GMT -5
Over the years I’ve shared the stage, worked with, or met many fine people and those that come to mind are: Bob Newhart, Chicago, George Thorogood, Ted Nugent, Bo Diddley, Stella Parton, Dick and Dee Dee, Herman’s Hermits, Walter Trout, CoCo Montoya, Johnny Tillotson, Rick Derringer, Poppa Chubby, Greg Koch, and more that I just can’t think of after all these years.
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Post by LM on Feb 7, 2020 21:27:09 GMT -5
Here's another. After the Skynyrd tragedy, we saw Rossington-Collins in an open arena before seating was mandated. We were standing about 20-30 ft from the stage when my buddy elbowed me. He said, "Look over there."
About 10 feet to our right stood Dickie Betts. He was wearing jeans and an army fatigue jacket. He was bobbing to the music and grinning from ear to ear. He stood there alone for awhile and no one bothered him.
Near the end, the band played Freebird without a singer and they hung Ronnie VanZant's hat on the mic stand. I didn't notice when Betts left but it was early in that song.
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Post by ninworks on Feb 8, 2020 7:28:53 GMT -5
I chatted with Phil Collins on the phone once. The drummer of the band I was playing in at that time knew him.
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Post by Pinetree on Feb 8, 2020 11:53:50 GMT -5
I talked to John Sferra on the phone once.
But around here, he's pretty much just a "local drummer".
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Post by LM on Feb 8, 2020 12:46:27 GMT -5
I had a 30 minute conversation with Lindy Fralin a few nights ago. Does that count?
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Post by tahitijack on Feb 8, 2020 13:10:48 GMT -5
I'd count myself very lucky. A good friend is a jazz festival promotor, so I've had the good fortune to be backstage chatting with some of the best from that genre. My most recent meeting was Justin Haywood of the Moody Blues last year in Monico/Monte Carlo. We were walking around the marina and there he was just strolling along as well. He was very gracious but was on his way so we didn't chat long. He did mention he has a place there in the marina. My wife is always amazed at my ability to spot people and put a name to their face. Especially when they are out of context and not expected to pass our way. Years ago we bumped into Craig Chaquico, while we were staying on Catalina. She mentioned to him it was my birthday so I got a birthday wish from him. Not exactly a musician, although he played one, I met Tom Hanks in Sun Valley, ID while skiing. He is a pretty good skier.
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Post by slowhand on Feb 8, 2020 18:11:30 GMT -5
Tommy Shaw bought my dinner a few years ago. Does that count?
I was having dinner with a young lady on Christmas Eve at a popular restaurant on Sunset in Hollywood. Place was dead empty except my girl and I. The town empties out during the Christmas holiday.
Anyway, in rolls about 8 people led by Tommy Shaw. I gave him the head nod acknowledging I knew who he was but I would not be bothering him.
Short story even shorter, asked for the check and was informed by the waitress that Mr Shaw had taken care of the bill.
Funny add on, trying to look cool in front of my girl, I reciprocated and asked to pay his check. I had to be electro-shocked back into coherence when I saw the bill was over $900. Should have done the math real quick in my head before doing that. But I couldn’t back out.
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Post by tiedyeddevil on Feb 8, 2020 20:12:47 GMT -5
Well, crap... I had a long story ready to go, then fat-fingered the trackpad while switching browser tabs.
Long story short: I've shared tea and pastries with Steve Hillage and Miquette Giraudy and have had encountered Bruce Springsteen and Andy Summers (decades apart) at a pizza shop and a café, respectively.
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JDC
Wholenote
I STILL say: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it"
Posts: 527
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Post by JDC on Feb 8, 2020 21:50:19 GMT -5
I have dinner with myself every evening. Oh wait you said FAMOUS musician not FATUOUS musician lol
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Post by LM on Feb 9, 2020 8:21:30 GMT -5
When I traveled a lot, I was walking through Atlanta airport on a weekend and the concourse wasn't very crowded. Coming toward me was someone who looked familiar and I eventually realized it was Evander Holyfield. We did the head nob with a smile and kept walking.
To borrow a phrase from Road House, I thought he'd be bigger. We were about the same height and size - 6-2 and 225 lbs. I posted this experience on the FDP and concluded with, "I think I could take him."
That phrase took off and spawned a thread about meeting famous people and always ended with 'I think I could take him/her'. It was a spontaneous laughfest.
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Post by digiboy on Feb 9, 2020 9:03:19 GMT -5
I called Garth Hudson on the phone once! I almost forgot about this. Must have been late 70's. I was living in upstate NY, not far from Woodstock. I heard a rumor that he was looking for bands to promote. On a whim I looked him up in the phone book (remember phone books?) and he was actually listed, so I called. Amazing! he answered the phone! Of course the rumor was just that, but he was really nice about it. We talked maybe a couple of minutes. I didn't want to waste his time. What a gentleman.
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Bopper
Wholenote
Motor City USA
Posts: 503
Age: 72
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Post by Bopper on Feb 9, 2020 12:39:03 GMT -5
Among others, Played Foosball against Charles Mingus Rode up in an elevator with Warren Zevon Hung out (so to speak) in the men's room with Junior Wells and Miroslav Vitous (different times) Chatted with Dave Alvin a couple times
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Feb 9, 2020 14:07:41 GMT -5
Met Chet Atkins after a concert with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra. Spoke with Charlie Rich several times while remodeling the control room in his home studio. Kim Simmonds with Savoy Brown. All nice guys.
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Post by jazzguy on Feb 9, 2020 14:19:04 GMT -5
I didn't know Holyfield was a musician.
"Played Foosball against Charles Mingus"
now THAT is cool
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woody
Wholenote
Posts: 245
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Post by woody on Feb 9, 2020 15:14:40 GMT -5
I used to write for The Illinois Entertainer, so I have met a lot of celebrities. My personal story is that Ted Nugent taught me how to play my first blues progression in my home when I was 16. He had come over to see our little high school band, and brought one of the Byrds with him, so he offered to jam with us on a blues. My other story is shooting the breeze over a beer with Bon Scott along the banks of the Mississippi, backstage at an outdoor show in Davenport, IA. I remember you! Well, your work anyway. The IL Entertainer was everywhere in Chicago. Some great bands in the clubs in the 80's. Nice to see you're still around.
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Post by LM on Feb 9, 2020 16:38:29 GMT -5
I could swear the title said famous person and not just musician. lol!
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Wish
Wholenote
You Were Here
Posts: 157
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Post by Wish on Feb 9, 2020 18:54:22 GMT -5
The wife and I at a Cheap Trick meet and greet before the concert at Red Rocks a few years ago. My wife later told me that Robin pinched her butt. Oh my. I was kind of amused and not amused at the same time....lol.
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Post by langford on Feb 10, 2020 10:33:45 GMT -5
Wish ... Might have been more awkward if he'd pinched your butt. NTTAWT.
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Post by rdr on Feb 11, 2020 22:33:18 GMT -5
Met Root Boy Slim once after a gig. Funny guy. Spoke for a coupla minutes with Joe Bonamassa at a small club before he was famous. He gave it his all for a tiny crowd. Smokin' Joe Kubek and Bnois King were relaxing outside before a gig. Nice guys. I asked him how he got his tone: "coffee and Marlboros". Spoke with Little Charlie, Tab Benoit, Nick Curran, Tinsley Ellis, Coco Montoya at gigs. All nice guys. Spoke with John Mayall at a merch table at a blues festival in Norfolk. Couldn't believe he was there. Got Bill Monroe's autograph at a festival. Spoke to Ricky Skaggs after a gig. Regular guy and mighty nice. Oh, and I once took a leak next to Delbert McClinton. I followed the rules and didn't speak.
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Post by langford on Feb 12, 2020 9:03:16 GMT -5
This is an almost story. Jeff Healy used to own a great dive bar/venue in downtown Toronto. He played there two nights a week, an electric blues night on Thursdays (IIRC) and a swing jazz show on Sunday afternoons, where he mainly trumpet... with a bit of guitar when the song called for it. I went down there from time to time (the Sunday shows were free and the cover on electric nights was only a few bucks). Jeff would hang around between sets, and anybody who wanted to introduce themselves and have a chat was welcome to do so. I never spoke to him myself, though.
I did, however, meet Albert Collins and he bought my beer all night. I was 17 at the time. Long story, though.
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Cassie Play
Halfnote
Everythings Malfunctioning Imperfectly.
Posts: 89
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Post by Cassie Play on Feb 13, 2020 2:17:47 GMT -5
I worked at a dinner theater in the 70's and met some of the acts there. They all had to come through the kitchen to get to the stage. Brenda Lee, Al Martino, Frankie Lane, Mickey Finn, Barbara Eden. A singer named Kelly Garret had a little dog that was sick and she needed a ride into town for a vet. I drove her there and back and talked her ears off in the car. Lot's of various other acts like Amazing Kreskin, Comedians etc.
They were all pretty friendly and some even threw parties for the whole crew. We used to boil corn for Al Martino when he went to the corn festival and came back with tons of it.
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Post by 6l6 on Feb 13, 2020 15:43:06 GMT -5
I've met Neil Young, Paul Simon, Steve Stills, David Crosby, Graham Nash, Duck Dunn, Grady Martin, Jerry Allison, Judy Collins, John Denver, Joan Baez, and Dave Van Ronk.
All were just random happenings.
6
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Post by slowhand on Feb 13, 2020 20:12:37 GMT -5
I've met Neil Young, Paul Simon, Steve Stills, David Crosby, Graham Nash, Duck Dunn, Grady Martin, Jerry Allison, Judy Collins, John Denver, Joan Baez, and Dave Van Ronk. All were just random happenings. 6 That’s quite the list. I’m a bit envious.
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Post by tiedyeddevil on Feb 13, 2020 23:44:57 GMT -5
I've met Neil Young, Paul Simon, Steve Stills, David Crosby, Graham Nash, Duck Dunn, Grady Martin, Jerry Allison, Judy Collins, John Denver, Joan Baez, and Dave Van Ronk. All were just random happenings. 6 That's very cool! Was this when they were all hanging out in Laurel Canyon?
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