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!-
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AuthorAngela Marie. I like writing. I like music. I have thoughts falling from my head. Archives
July 2018
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