Brush with greatness

[Shugardrawers]

I *think* it was David Letterman who used to do a segment called Brush With Greatness where audience members would tell of their encounters with celebrities. Tell me about yours. I'll go first.

My very very good friend was station manager at an oldies radio station a few years back. As a birthday gift he took me to a Davy Jones concert the station was sponsoring and took me backstage to meet Davy. He was great. Very gracious, polite and funny. Bonus, we all went to dinner at a nice restaurant and had blast discussing what life was like for a sex symbol in the 60s. He sent me a birthday card about a week later. I still have it. I don't know that he would know me but I'll never forget him.

 

[cynsaun]

I live a few houses down from the coach of the Carolina Hurricanes. Does that count?

 

[jrydberg]

I had a 5 minute conversation with Margaret Thatcher when she was going to cast her vote in European Parliament elections in 1989(?) or so. Interesting lady.

 

[cynsaun]

Originally posted by jrydberg
I had a 5 minute conversation with Margaret Thatcher when she was going to cast her vote in European Parliament elections in 1989(?) or so. Interesting lady.

Lucky! I would like to meet her!

 

[jrydberg]

I talked with her about the US political system as it compares to the British system... and of course, a bit about Ronald Reagan (she really seemed to have a genuine friendship there). I was a college student at the time studying in London. She knew this, but was in no hurry to go off to her next appointment. Mrs. Thatcher seemed very interested in talking to me about my perceptions of the UK and the US. I saw her several times after that from the visitor's gallery in Parliament, but that conversation will stick with me for the rest of my life.

 

[grinningghost]

In 1978, I stayed in the same hotel as Fleetwood Mac, Pablo Cruise, Foreigner and Bob Welch. I got the amazing opportunity to meet most of them AND watch them party in the hotel courtyard until dawn out my window.

Stevie Nicks has always been my favorite singer, so this was an INCREDIBLE stroke of good luck for me.

 

[Tina]

Mine is VERY recent, but may be not so high-up on the Greatness List. I recently bought some tshirts on Ebay from C-List celebrity Riki Rachtman (hard rock fans will know who I'm talking about). Riki emailed me last night to say he was out of my size and offered an alternative.

My DH had a much higher level Brush with Greatness a few weeks ago when he met David Bowie backstage at his local concert. My best friend is actually the cousin of David's wife, Iman. David had arranged special seats and a hospitality room for Iman's family (her parents and sister live here also). So, DH was able to tag along with the family and meet the man himself. It was a little funny how it all happened. When David came into the room after the show to say hello to everyone, he basically went down the line greeting everyone.... until he got to my DH, who was the only white man in the room besides David. He looked at him a little funny and said "...and who are you?" DH was just exploding with excitement and said, "I'm a friend of the family and I'm a HUGE FAN OF YOURS!!!!" David smiled, stuck out his hand and said, "Well Hello, I'm David" and shook his hand. DH is still peeing his pants over the whole thing.

 

[KristaTX]

Originally posted by Tina
My DH had a much higher level Brush with Greatness a few weeks ago when he met David Bowie backstage at his local concert. My best friend is actually the cousin of David's wife, Iman. David had arranged special seats and a hospitality room for Iman's family (her parents and sister live here also). So, DH was able to tag along with the family and meet the man himself. It was a little funny how it all happened. When David came into the room after the show to say hello to everyone, he basically went down the line greeting everyone.... until he got to my DH, who was the only white man in the room besides David. He looked at him a little funny and said "...and who are you?" DH was just exploding with excitement and said, "I'm a friend of the family and I'm a HUGE FAN OF YOURS!!!!" David smiled, stuck out his hand and said, "Well Hello, I'm David" and shook his hand. DH is still peeing his pants over the whole thing.

Your husband is a lucky man; I am sooo jealous!! I have been a huge DB fan since the early '80s. I saw him in Austin a few weeks back, and I was lucky enough to be front and center - 3 feet away from the man himself. He is the only celebrity I would pay money to meet. Oh well, at least I got a few nods of appreciation and some eye-to-eye communication with him. And some of his spit landed on me when he was singing .

 

[cynsaun]

Originally posted by jrydberg
I talked with her about the US political system as it compares to the British system... and of course, a bit about Ronald Reagan (she really seemed to have a genuine friendship there). I was a college student at the time studying in London. She knew this, but was in no hurry to go off to her next appointment. Mrs. Thatcher seemed very interested in talking to me about my perceptions of the UK and the US. I saw her several times after that from the visitor's gallery in Parliament, but that conversation will stick with me for the rest of my life.

That's a great memory! She is a class act, and she proved that again just recently.

 

[WeirdEyes]

C-List celebrity Riki Rachtman (hard rock fans will know who I'm talking about).

Poison!

I met Neil McCoy at the Nashville Planet Hollywood. He was very nice. The funny thing is, I had no idea who he was at the time. I knew he was someone famous, but I'm not a country fan. I was standing around waiting on a table and Neil walked up to me from behind and grabbed my arm. I thought it was my DH (who went to the restroom) so I wasn't startled. I turned around and it was Neil and he struck up a conversation with me. I did get his autograph cause DH told me who he was....LOL! I felt terrible not knowing who he was. He is such nice guy.

I'm still trying to meet any member of Def Leppard. I will probably not be able to even utter a word if I ever met them. I'd stand there like an idiot.

Oh, we did meet Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca) at MGM Studios last summer. I'm sure a lot of you have met him though.

 

[kild]

I think Rachtman was the host on the Headbangers ball.
Rikki Rocket was with poison. I could be confused though.

 

[caitycaity]

i got to talk to madeline albright over lunch once.

 

[Bob Slydell]

Originally posted by kild
I think Rachtman was the host on the Headbangers ball.
Rikki Rocket was with poison. I could be confused though.

You're right on this one (can't vouch for your confusion in general, however )

 

[edcrbnsoul]

Working for a Caterer I had a few, my favorite I was Bartender at Bobby Orrs 40th Birthday Party (he's a hockey player for those who dont know)

 

[meandtheguys]

I got to go to the party after everyone made the video/song "We are the World." Only because I was nannying my way through school for someone that was connected. That night is a blur, but it was the most fun!

 

[onecoolmama]

Well, I have met a lot of Congress Members...but that isn't so great.

 

[WeirdEyes]

I think Rachtman was the host on the Headbangers ball.

I thought that last name didn't sound right! And I used to watch Headbangers Ball all of the time. Thanks for straightening me out.

 

[ducklite]

I worked in the music industry for years, so I'm not going to count the people I've met, partied with, worked with, etc. because of my job. (Should I drop names LOL?)

But outside of "work" in that field through another job I had I spoke with Michael Dell on the phone fairly regularly.

Anne

 

[ladycollector]

My dad's a pro-golfer. He's met, Troy Aikman, Jeff Gordon, Phil Mickelson, Emmit Smith (I was there as well), during or after golf tournaments around the USA. Most of the guys on the pga tour.. I can't remember all the others LOL. And uhh (as in the words of pooh, "think think") oh yes, He's seen Justin Timberlake at Regatta. (He didn't really care to go say hello, though. lol)

And my brush with greatness.. I guess that would be, that Britney Spears has a house in my town and we both visit the Destin Commons frequently. (some of my friends have actually met her there.) Im never lucky enuff to be there during the many times she visits. LOL

It's not meeting her, but chances are I could be 25 feet away from here and I'd never know it. She's down here alot.

Now re-reading my post, Id say my dad's got me hands down. lol

 

[CindysGusGus]

Originally posted by grinningghost
In 1978, I stayed in the same hotel as Fleetwood Mac, Pablo Cruise, Foreigner and Bob Welch. I got the amazing opportunity to meet most of them AND watch them party in the hotel courtyard until dawn out my window.

Stevie Nicks has always been my favorite singer, so this was an INCREDIBLE stroke of good luck for me.

My best friend from High School's is Stevies cousin. Not much news but thought it interesting.