They say never meet your idols because you'll be disappointed, but this wasn't the case when meeting Johnny Marr in November 2013. After standing in the pouring rain before the show, we stood outside in the snow for probably a half hour more waiting for Johnny to come outside. For some reason I had this feeling we would meet him, if we were patient. My friend wanted to leave because let's face it..it was freaking cold..snowing..and any minute our feet and hands would turn into frozen fish sticks. I just kept telling my friend "Five more minutes..just five more minutes..I know we're going to meet him!" He came out of his tour bus and instructed us to go back into the venue to get autographs. This is not a normal "rock star" thing. Most go to the bus and that's it. We stood in line patiently and eagerly waiting for our moment. I was freaking out because I looked like crap. My hair was ruined due to the snow..it looked like I had been at a rave all night. Then my phone died..NO! I mean..seriously..doesn't that seem like it should be in a movie or something? Just before you meet your idol your phone says..Goodbye loser! Thankfully my friend had his wits about him and didn't use his phone during the show. The guy in front of us had the Rank album for Johnny to sign and was chatting him up for a bit. I just wanted to press the fast forward button on that scene. Finally, he is done..it is now our turn! Johnny talked to my friend and got his picture with him. I couldn't help but grin like an idiot and trying to stop from peeing myself. I just couldn't believe he was standing inches from me in the flesh. How did this happen? How did I get here? Is this real? It felt like an out of body experience truthfully. It was then my turn and I was trying to think of what to say. Something clever..or cool..or everything I ever wanted to say to him...but all I could do was just look at him and smile. He pointed out my Joy Division shirt and I thanked him so much for coming to Indianapolis since most go to Chicago anymore. He asked my name and signed my record. I then got a picture of him and it wasn't just a regular mate hug, it was a real hug. Like he knew that we were real longtime fans and that this meant a lot to us. He thanked us and kissed my hand! I was beyond excited. I felt like Marcia Brady not wanting to wash because Davey Jones kissed her cheek. Johnny Marr actually took my hand like a gentleman and kissed it! Now that had to be a dream, right? No..all reality. I wanted to relive that moment over and over again. Actual live in that moment and never let go. Even though you truly enjoy the moment, you always wish you could enjoy it even more if possible. After we had our meet and greet I couldn't contain myself. I latched on to my friend's sleeve with glee and said "Can you fucking believe we just fucking met Johnny Fuckin Marr?!" And yes, his middle name is "Fuckin"..look it up..oh and I have a button that proves it! It was truly one of the best nights of my life and one that I will always cherish. He made me feel like I was 16 again. I actually jumped up and down during the show and caught all those nostalgic feelings when he played Smith's songs. A few days later I sent Johnny a message and thanked him so much for that night. I have Osteoarthritis and it sometimes is very hard to get around much less go to a concert jumping around and standing for hours. I remember trying to hold the camera to record some video and my achy hands were struggling to hold it up. He wrote back thanking me for the message and wishing me luck with everything. For some drugs and alcohol are their highs, but for me the best high is going to a concert. It's a high like no other and is something you will carry with you like a badge for the rest of your life. You will beam for days on end thinking how wonderful it was and how much you want to experience it again..over and over and over. Truthfully without music many of us would not be here. I know without bands like The Smiths, Joy Division, etc. I would not be here. If you didn't have that friend or parent saying Hey, I've been there and understand then The Smiths and Ian Curtis would be that voice. This is why after all these years bands like this have cult followings. I can only speak for myself, but you never forget the ones who helped you through all the lows in life. You feel like you owe it to the artist for helping you through the tough times and still remaining in your life when the undeniable transition to adulthood becomes evident. Johnny Marr is the most down to Earth guy and just a class act. He's the guy everyone wants to hang out and have a beer with chatting about music and the world. Johnny Marr is legend..that is all. -Thanks again to Johnny Marr for a great night!-
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I have only met a few famous musicians/bands. You always hear how so many of them have huge egos or are just complete jerks. I am always completely surprised and thankful when I meet someone and they blow that impression out of the water. I love it, because I know they are human. Yes..they eat cereal on a Saturday morning, hate ads on Youtube, and eat sloppy spaghetti. For some reason I think when you are younger you think they are some sort of subhuman species. Untouchable..unattainable..just a complete science fiction character. They can do no wrong..well a few bad albums usually, but they are "it" in your book. Hell I remember getting into complete arguments over bands..I am THAT passionate about music. For obvious reasons. That will be a later story for the books.
So this chance meeting was with someone who I did not fantasize about, have plastered on my bedroom walls, or knew every tidbit about. All the same, it was a surreal experience. Something you just don't see in your usual lineup on a snowy Monday afternoon. I won't go into specifics on how I know the person who introduced me to Bob 1 from the famous band DEVO, but they do know the band well. So one minute I am rummaging through bins of vinyl at a record exchange in Ohio and the next minute I am told I will be meeting the guitarist for DEVO. As I said before I wasn't obsessed with DEVO, but knew their music and knew they were way beyond their time. I always thought they were pioneers and completely underrated. I love unique and different things. It has a soft place in my heart. To be different and to not follow the masses and be an independent thinker is always king in my book. When I was in high school if everyone was into a certain group or style, I didn't want any part of it. I always felt the stronger could survive by themselves, but the weak had to follow under what was popular and in favor. Okay..I got off track..which will happen at times. Hold tight. So when we finally arrive I walk in to the kitchen and as I am introduced to Bob 1 I can't help but notice he looks like any other guy I'd see walking down the street. For some strange reason I always think that in their own element, rock stars still carry around a flaming cigarette hanging from their mouth and a velveteen half opened robe with a big busted blonde hanging on their arm. Hmm..maybe that's more Keith Richards? Bob 1 has a white plain shirt on and Levi jeans. As I look him over, I can't help but think of my Dad. My Father always wore plain white shirts and jeans. He was a simple man and I kind of think maybe Bob 1 is also. Through the small talk about the weather and other issues I sit patiently waiting. I keep my 16yr old fan girl self under control. I know most musicians are use to over zealous fans, but I try to play it cool. As I'm sitting there waiting to be called upon like some poor fool on a job interview, it finally happens. The conversation floats my way. We chat about Indiana and Ohio..how similar they are and I remark about bands not giving a flying fig about fans in Indiana anymore. Bob 1 then tells us a story about being unpaid one time for a gig back in the heyday. He said there was money and a gun on the table and told it was best to just leave. (I am paraphrasing) We all laugh and he remarks how times have changed and now money goes into escrow accounts. I am always in awe of old stories from tours of the past. Some of the stories are rather seedy and that much more enjoyable then the usual lull of today's tours. You know, the artist who throws a tantrum because they requested 35 red jelly beans, but was only provided with 34..oh the humanity! He agrees to sign my two records and asks which ones I brought to sign. He predicted right..Freedom of Choice. I guess it's a popular album to be signed and one of their most popular albums because of their classic song "Whip It!" I picked the record because I like the cover photo and my favorite song is on that album, "Girl You Want." He signs both albums and comments on the live album saying that the label on the record itself was specifically designed and it wasn't put into the usual record sleeve like most albums. (hence why it was a pain to get in and out of the plastic sleeve!) When I hear the background stories about songs or tour horror stories I feel like I am some sort of mole in a top secret meeting at the white house. Any minute Q will hand me my dossier and I'm off to an outrageous adventure all over the world. Is that what it's like to be a music journalist? Hmm..probably not. I'm thinking crap hotels, cold room service, and late musicians who don't want to answer the questions you ask. After signing my records I thank him and we decide to shuffle off into the blinding winter day. I thank him again and tell him it was nice to meet him. As I get back into the car I kick myself because there was my chance to ask some questions, but again I didn't want to over step and be that weirdo fan. Even though their work is what catapulted them to stardom, I'm sure they feel like they need to talk about what's going on NOW. I can relate, I'm sure if someone asked me a million times over why on Earth did I decide to do this and what my thoughts were on yadda yadda back in '95 were..I'd slit my wrists on the spot. I can understand the urgency of keeping away from the past, but when you hear a song, see a movie, or see someone from your youth..you can't help but want to get in that Delorian and go back to when things were simple and new. -Thank you again to Bob 1 from DEVO for a great fan girl experience!- |
AuthorAngela Marie. I like writing. I like music. I have thoughts falling from my head. Archives
July 2018
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