Man...Do I feel stupid...

[knj316]

Check this out...

I left work early this afternoon to pickup my Axis from Wild West Guitars. Wild West Guitars is located in a large industrial building in Riverside California and also has this lounge and/or concert venue within the building. They have different acts playing throughout the year; Robin Trower, Marshall Tucker Band, Warrant etc... Welp tonight was one of those nights and Eddie Money was playing.

I knew this before I even got their and I was thinking: "Hey, it would be cool to actually meet him." So, I park my truck and I'm walking towards the building. I call my wife to tell her I'm standing by Eddie Money's tour bus. Welp, I'm just about to walk into the building, and I hear this voice: "Hey, where's the stage?" So, I turn around, there's Eddie Money standing in the entry-way of the bus. I didn't know what to say...I couldn't even answer the man...I totally froze up and couldn't respond...Oh, I also hung up on my wife while this happening; I didn't even tell her what happened until afterwards...

Like an idiot...I just kinda shrugged and mumbled "I don't know." He kinda looked at me, smiled, then went back on the bus; before he left, I said: "Thank you." Then I thought: "Huh, thank you?"

Not only did I come-off like an idiot, I feel bad because I actually do know where the stage is, but, because I was in shock, I couldn't even answer the man.

I've never actually met a celebrity and I blew this chance. I kinda wish I could go back in time and come up with something more intelligent to say.

I called my wife afterwards and told her I could "Die in peace because I acted like an idiot in-front of a celebrity."

Fortunately, I was OK enough to hear part of the sound check while picking up my guitar; the sound check sounded great.

To make a long story short, I'm kinda mortified that I acted like a teenage girl at a Britney Spears concert.

Just thought I'd share.

Joe

 

[robelinda2]

quit yakkin and make with the Axis pics!!!!!

 

[roburado]

Yeah. Axis pics, dude!

 

[Big Poppa]

joe dont worry about it......

 

[knj316]

Another thing...

I did get to see the new relic EVH guitar from Charvel/Fender; I almost soiled myself when I saw the $25,000 price tag.

I also saw a drop-dead gorgeous Axis Super-Sport with Pacific Blue-Burst flame top, trem and piezo. If I had the cash, it would've been coming home with me this evening.

Maybe I should get a paper route and mow lawns for gear money

I'll post pics of the Axis in the morning.

Joe

 

[roburado]

I also saw a drop-dead gorgeous Axis Super-Sport with Pacific Blue-Burst flame top, trem and piezo. If I had the cash, it would've been coming home with me this evening.

That's an amazing looking guitar.

 

[candid_x]

Thanks, Joe, for starting my morning with a good chuckle.

 

[Dawg]

That's a funny story. Don't feel stupid, Eddie Money probably found it refreshing to get blown off by someone rather than have people fawn over him and ask for autographs. At least in the '80s, he probably would have felt that way...

 

[Bungo]

Many years ago I was hanging around outside the back of Hammersmith Odeon (as was) in London after an Iron Maiden gig.

Out comes Jon Bon Jovi with a curvy blonde attached to each arm. He comes walking past me and a few other Maiden fans clearly expecting a bit of adulation. Instead he gets - 'S'cuse me mate, are any of Iron Maiden coming out soon?'.

'Errr, I'm not sure' says Mr Jovi before walking on a little bemused by complete lack of interest.

Happy days!

 

[southpawmax]

Haha good story. A similar thing happened to me after an Everclear show, and I was talking to Art Alexakis, and I gave him my p hone number saying something like "If you ever want to jam in the area, just call me." The next day he called me and I was so shocked I couldn't even talk to him. Anyways, pics or it doesn't exist!

 

[JSX]

haha that's pretty funny. At least you were polite....right??

 

[kbaim]

Wild West Guitars is a really great store. Been there a few times. The lounge is ultra cool. Saw fingerstyle wiz Laurence Juber give a clinic there.

They have an excellent selection of high end guitars and must do 75% of their business over the internet.

 

[18watt]

Many years ago I was hanging around outside the back of Hammersmith Odeon (as was) in London after an Iron Maiden gig.

When I was 16 (uh... 19 years ago, eeeek!!!) I asked Dave Murray for guitar lessons. He very politely declined.

 

[brentrocks]

hey dont feel bad...i was standing in front of Ace Frehley one time and i handed him my poster and asked him to sign it...i had the sharpie clipped to my shirt, he stood there for a few seconds and he finally said, can i use your pen....i was like OOHH YEAH, SORRY....LOL!!!

 

[JSX]

hey dont feel bad...i was standing in front of Ace Frehley one time and i handed him my poster and asked him to sign it...i had the sharpie clipped to my shirt, he stood there for a few seconds and he finally said, can i use your pen....i was like OOHH YEAH, SORRY....LOL!!!

LOL! that's pretty damn funny as well.

 

[Bungo]

When I was 16 (uh... 19 years ago, eeeek!!!) I asked Dave Murray for guitar lessons. He very politely declined.

I was even more embarrasing!

I met him in the Duke Of Cornwall once (again round the corner from Hammersmith Odeon, would have been about 1985) and basically came over all stupid and asked him if I could have his job!!

Politely declined on that occasion as well!!!

I've got other stories about Bruce and Jannick as well!

 

[Astrofreq]

I remember winning free tickets to see LIVE. I'm not particularly fond of that band, but I knew a friend at work that loved them, so we went. We got backstage and the first thing my friend says to the guitar player is "man, I'm your biggest fan". Sweet, but totally awkward silence afterward, because we're like THIRTY.

So, the guy was nice and said thanks and trying to make small talk he said about it being hotter than the last city, which was north (we were in Dallas). So, to make it purposely more awkward I said, "Yeah, it's because we're closer to the equator." My friend just groaned.

 

[candid_x]

I thought Les Paul died a couple years ago.

 

[robelinda2]

nope he's still alive, 92 now. maybe your'e thinking of Chet Atkins?

 

[candid_x]

For some reason I've never been very impressed or shaken by celebrity. Respectful of achievements, yes. The most memorable celebrity occasion was being invited to Electric Ladyland studios in NYC, to watch my friend's session being produced by John Lennon. Fascinating, watching John work with this rowdy punkish street band. John called a break, and I left my seat and introduced myself to him. We started talking about every day stuff, and then we walked around, sharing a fat one together. I was deeply moved by his gentle and humble quality. After the doob was gone, he excused himself and went behind the glass to work with a young guitar player and his part. He tried explaining to the guitarist how he would like to hear his rhythm part phrased, which was sorta reversed from what he had been playing. The kid didn't get it, so John signaled to play the track while he played the kid's guitar. Whoa Nelly... instant Lennon magic! The kid never did get it, and John simply moved on. Yoko was there too, and overdubbed her coyote-like howling, which imo, about ruined the entire track. It was a very interesting evening.

I think celebrities warm up easier when you don't stare at them like something from outer space, and treat them just as you would anyone else.