OT: You Ever Ask For Autographs?

[saxnbass]

I have Billy Sheehan and Marcus Miller's autographs on the back of a bass. and I have pics to prove it, but it's not an EBMM bass, so I'm not sure if it's OK to post the pic (it's on the back of the bass, BTW).
I also have autographs by the whole band Cowboy Crush on a picture of theirs.
I have, again on a picture of theirs, the autographs of the Washington Redskins' 2004 Cheerleading Team.
Got a Marcus Miller T-Shirt signed by Marcus, Poogie, and Keith.
Also have a Steve Vai, Live at the Astoria DVD signed by Vai and Sheehan.
And my copy of Eric Sardinas, Black Pearls CD is signed by Eric and the band.

(I may have a few other autographs, but can't think of them, but I don't think I'm forgetting anything)

If you want me to post pics, let me know and I'll do so.

 

[dlloyd]

I've got James Watson's.

That's likely only to impress scientists.

 

[LowDownDave]

I've got James Watson's.

That's likely only to impress scientists.

Ha-ha, nice one Dave, and as I scientist I AM somewhat impressed. Any interesting story on how you acquired that one? I don't see Watson going on tour for promoters to set up any kind of autographe queue. So I guess you didn't manage to get Crick's for the complete set then eh?

 

[tiffles]

im best friends with BP what else do you need??

actually thats something thats never been something ive felt comfortable doing...its kind of alienating...
ive found the same thing as BP with band friends of mine who are famous in their own little arenas, you will be having coffee and halfway through a convo and...
and then there are the scary stalker type ones who follow them wherever they tour. my friends are really really gracious with handling it.

sometimes i get nervous and starry eyed... i was at an after party at the royal albert when a band i love called third day were playing.... i talked to mac the lead singer, he was lovely, but i was to awkward to actually introduce myself... so i just sort of joking about with them.
then i went and chatted to someone who i thought may have been road crew and we got chatting about bass, and me training up with hillsong and that they really wanted to come but they had to fly back too soon etc. anyway had a great chat

found out on sun i wasnt talking to road crew... i was talking to third day's managers!!! HAA HAAA HAAAA!!! my attempt to talk to someone less intimidating LOL

 

[Gary Raymond]

From 1975 until 1980, I was Bonded Courier for Teamsters Local 399, which serves the Motion Picture Industry in the LA area. My job was to deliver movie & TV scripts from the studios to the actors, actresses, producers, directors houses. Legal business from the studios to their Beverly Hills lawyers, dailies from the labs in Hollywood back to the studios. You & I have had VCR's, & now DVD's, but every Friday we would go to one of the film distributors & pick up a 35mm copy of whatever movies said producers & directors wanted to view over the weekend in their home theaters & deliver to their houses.

I have gotten the autograph on a signed receipt for the above materials from virtually everyone who was connected with the movie/music business from Dr. Jules Stein to the hot chick/eye candy girl who did a walk across the beach scene during that time period. To me, it was no big deal meeting & talking to any of these people. The person who impressed me the most, Richard Pryor.

 

[dlloyd]

Ha-ha, nice one Dave, and as I scientist I AM somewhat impressed. Any interesting story on how you acquired that one? I don't see Watson going on tour for promoters to set up any kind of autographe queue. So I guess you didn't manage to get Crick's for the complete set then eh?

I got it when I was at college in Oxford a few years back. He was visiting and doing some guest lecturing. He was old and didn't have much hair. I got him to sign a book for me.

Crick wasn't touring at the time and is unlikely to, being a bit dead.

 

[Goofball Jones]

The only autograph I ever got was when I was like 10 or so, and it was Meadowlark Lemon...the Harlem Globetrotter.

Other than that, I always feel I'm bothering someone.

I've had other times where I "could" have gotten an autograph, but I'm always like "what the hell am I going to do with an autograph?". Never saw the point in them. There was this time about 15 years ago or so when I was in an elevator with Eric Clapton and a couple of other people whom I presumed were with him. Anyway, I could have asked for an autograph but I'm thinking he gets asked that all the time. So out of the blue I just go a different route and ask "so, what was it like working with BB King?" and he looked at me for a second, like I caught him off guard, and he just said "it's great, the best". I just smiled and nodded and right then the door opened on my floor and I just said "take it easy" as I was getting off...acting like it was no big deal. Of course, I was out of my mind when I got into my room and was telling my then-girlfriend all about it. Of course, she didn't believe a word...

Maybe I should have gotten his autograph...

 

[Psycho Ward]

I've got a few, mostly Nashville studio musicians. I use to have the remains of a funny cigarette I shared with Willy Nelson...

 

[JimB52]

I don't have any musician's autographs, but I've met and hung out with quite a few when I was working for MTV in the 80s.

I work with NFL players almost every day, and have a few pictures, but the Golden Boy, Paul Hornug is the only autograph I asked for.

I have Pres. Regan's and Henry Kissinger's (Sat next to them at Yale Harvard Games in the 70's)

As far a film & TV actors, I've worked with a lot of them over the years, and usually asked the 2nd or 3rd tier celebs to sign (Cap'n Lou Albano, Lucy Arnez, Betty Furness, Dr. Ruth, etc) They were always gracious and some wrote several paragraphs. I couldn't resist asking Jonathan Demme and Tom Hanks, though. I worked with the former and spent a half hour or so chatting with the latter, who had met my mom several years before and remembered her in great detail. Very nice guy.
Jim B

 

[Fraxture]

I have bumped into a few celebs in my life, but I don't ask for autographs.
I feel it's rude and on top of that they don't do anything for me.
Now I wouldn't object to handouts.

 

[SLUGGO]

I have several from the metal/rock genre. I have a friend that works in local radio so I get to schmooze every now and then.

Incubus, Saliva, Korn, Linkin Park, Fuel, Chevelle, Kiss....

One of the most interesting, and actually personable, meetings was with Marilyn Manson.

 

[Fred E.]

I've purchased some autograped photos and other items--but the last autograph I asked for was the Cisco Kid (Duncan Renaldo or something similar). I always felt awkward & somehow like I was being ultra-uncool. Oh, I forgot I asked Donald Johansson (sp?) to autograph his book about Lucy the hominid & I sent my wife across the room to have Richard Leakey autograph his book.

The ones that I wish I would have gotten were Duane Allman & Berry Oakley--we shared a bill (alternating sets) with the Allman Bros. & I got to use Berry's amp for our 2nd set & our guitarist used Duane's. No chance to get them directly anymore.

 

[muggsy]

When I was in college in the summer of '83 I did an internship on Capitol Hill working for a senator from Pennsylvania. That was the year the Sixers won the NBA championship, and when they came to DC to visit the White House our office had a reception for them. I was born and raised in Philly and I was a huge sports fan, so I got autographs from every player at the reception, plus the coach, Billy Cunningham. They were signing for everybody.

Little did I know that 24 years later, that would be the last pro sports team from Philly to win a championship. I can't remember what I had for lunch yesterday, but I can still name every player on that team: Julius Erving, Moses Malone, Andrew Toney, Maurice Cheeks, Bobby Jones, Marc Iavaroni, Clint Richardson, Franklin Edwards, Clemon Johnson, Reggie Johnson, Mark McNamara and Earl Cureton. All but Moses and Franklin Edwards were at the reception.

Dr. J has the biggest hands I've ever seen. I shook his hand and his fingers engulfed half my forearm. Really nice guy though.

 

[PeteDuBaldo]

The only autographs I have are music related, and almost all of them are made out to the store.

I've never asked for an autograph in a restaurant or non-music/artist related event, wouldn't want to tromp on the toes any harder.

 

[AnthonyD]

I never ask... Two main reasons:

1. I see autographs as a way to "prove" you've met someone - I don't need to prove I've met someone to anyone but me - and I was there.

2. Celebs deserve there space - I feel it's impolite to insert myself into their place in time.

Besides, celebs are real people, just like you and me - they just have way cooler jobs.

 

[tkarter]

Only have asked for two and got both of them. BP signed my SR5 for my grandson.

The other is the famous Lord Bongo.

tk

 

[Strangeglow]

I'm still trying to get Lord Bongo's signature on a blank check.

 

[1Echo]

Plenty of sports autographs (at an event or fan day, never at a chance meeting) but I don't ask celebs from other walks of life. I've had the pleasure of playing with many greats, jazz greats in particular, in my sax playing days (yes, I'm yet another EBMM bassist who was originally a saxophonist). The only music autographs I have are on a single poster from a big concert. The names? Peter Gabriel, Youssou N'Dour, and Sting.

 

[lorino]

Autographs

Me, too, which is why I have so few. I've sure had opportunities but thought - nah.

I seem to remember a story about a young Bovinehost sitting in the front-row of a Buford concert holding up two pictures of Bill Bruford... think American Idol and Sanjiya fan... Then, a surprisingly charming Jeff Berlin rescues you and has Mr. Bruford sign the pix. Am I mistaken?

I don't have many autographs - any that I can think of off the top of my head. I prefer a handshake and a compliment - something that shows I'm really a fan or knowledgeable, not just a stalker. Either that or I show up at their house to drink and play basses.

This kind gentleman was very cool - poked his head in our dressing room and asked what was up and spent a lot of time just chatting. Very cool. (ignore the bass).

I would like something with Abraham Lincoln's signature - very seriously.

JIM

 

[mbgreene]

I don't ask for autographs. I even felt a bit strange at the open house when everyone made themselves available after the Q&A. I guess it's just not my thing.

I met Joe Satriani at a music store during the G3 tour a few weeks ago, he just stopped in to browse. I said hello, that I was a fan and complimented his signature guitar which I literally had been noodling on just a few moments before he walked in. Then I said I was a Music Man guy and asked him to say hi to John later that night. He chuckled and I left. Maybe a minute of total interaction, but I never considerd asking him to sign something.

I wonder, with the explosion of the memorabilia market over the last several years, what the celebrity take on autographs has become. Is there more of a sense that they are being approached, not just by fans, but by people looking to turn the signatures around and make a profit?

You see it at ball games now, adults, kids, adults prodding kids (which actually really pisses me off), all asking these guys to sign as many objects as possible, and then getting annoyed and even offended when they don't get enough signatures.