OT: You Ever Ask For Autographs?

[leftymike]

I have a ton of autographed stuff from the late 80s/ early 90s. But none of them were asked for when someone was eating or in a non-music environment.
I did a brief roadie stint with Cheap Trick and Joel Walsh that started from me sneaking on Cheap Tricks tour bus in Nashville to use their bathroom. As I was walking off I saw Joel Walsh sitting by himself having a drink and I sat down, asked him for an autograph and just started shooting the ****e with him. I was about 20-21 at the time and it was abig thrill. Anyway, the next thing I know I'm on the stage w/ CHeap Trick handing Rick Nielson his guitars between songs.

Funny thing though . The first time I met Willie/Waylon/Cash happened the same way. It was at Waylons or Les Pauls (cant remember ) birthday party and I walked into an open door in an alley (again to use the bathroom) and I was backstage at their rehearsel. I said hi got a couple of autographs and proceeded on my way. Later I ended up working with Willie on the Tsunami benefit and attending his daughters wedding.
All because I refused to use the port-o-johns. Hmmmm..

 

[bovinehost]

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?

You're exactly right....but I have no idea where that photo is.

 

[Dr Stankface]

If my trans red SR5 wasn't special enough (first MM i've ever laid my hands on.), it has Sterling's sig on the back on the headstock. Will post a pic later.

 

[Eggman]

I got Dave LaRue's, Chuck Rainey's, Luke's and Tyler's autographs at the Dallas get-together.

Figured what the heck - but usually I don't seek out and ask celebs for their autographs.

 

[Danserrano]

Totally agree with BP here....i have 1 autographed ticket from a g3 where i got jp, portnoy, vai, satch, vigil donati, and billy all on the same stub. I felt wierd asking them all back then. SInce that time a few yrs back i become really cool friends with a ny athlete, been out to eat with him a few times and its just freaking uncomfortable. I mean the whole time i was thinking let the poor guy eat, i can imagine what he was thinking. So since then i've stopped. He told me he picks 2 games out of the series to stay out for an 1 hr sometimes more and sign as much as he can, especially for kids but then the one day he doesnt he's getting ripped by drunk dads lol. It totally blows, def a no win situation. As great as autographs are i rather remember the great catch, or great solo.

just my opinion
danny

 

[Ole Man Blues]

I had oportunities to, but didn't, I regret it now...........

 

[Beth]

I've got a Big Poppa pick. That's all I need.

I've always felt really shy and funny about getting autographs. I never know what to say and I feel like such a horse's a$$. I think there's just as much virtue in admiring the celebs from afar and letting them do what they like. I would never EVER bother a celebrity when they were eating... talk about annoying...

 

[kevin]

well from a personal standpoint i'm not big on autographs at all. Even as a kid it used to really bug me.....as I'd be sitting a Candlestick watching the Giants take batting practice and all you'd hear is...."Mr. Clark...Mr. Clark...Mr. Williams...Mr. Uribe....Mr Clark....Hey Mister..Mr. Clark.....etc." Personally as a 10 year old I just enjoyed sitting back and getting an up close view of these profesionals go about their business. Given the opportunity, and correct circumstance, I'd much rather pose a question or simply sit back and turn in to a sponge and soak it all in. With that said being bugged by rabid fans is just something that comes with the territory when your in the spotlight, and its a stipulation that 90% of actors, musicians and athletes would gladly accept before they "made it". So I don't at all feel bad......common sense isn't common knowledge so you always know there's going to be those people that interupt dinners and personal conversations to try and get their favorite icon to scribble on a piece of paper. We have a term for that Star-Humpers!!

 

[Big Poppa]

THis is a tough argument. I believe that you dont surrender you self with fame. You still get a life but you should expect it to be compromised. NOt being considerate is just bad in any circumstance

 

[Mobay45]

While reading everyone's posts, I was trying to think if I had anyone's autograph. The only one I remember getting was Tony Levin's at the SLO open house. He signed my Jack Williams "Shut up and play your bass" Bongo t-shirt.

I've sat and visited/drank with a few famous and semi-famous people, but asking for autographs just isn't my thing. I try to practice the "do unto others" way of living. Most of the time it works out.

 

[Bill]

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

Same here. Lincoln is one of my heroes.

My most prized autograph is probably D.J. Fontana's...he was Elvis's first drummer in the '50s. I don't know where that autograph is now. I also have autographs from NASCAR drivers Steve Park & Michael Waltrip. I have a Jeff Cook (from the band Alabama) autograph buried somewhere, too.

 

[paranoid70]

I have got quite a few musicians signatures here and there. It's not that big a deal one way or the other. I am just one more guy after a show....

Actually though I would much rather shake the person's hand than ask for an autograph. Some people do give you a weird look at that point.

Geddy Lee was doing a CD signing to promote My Favorite Headache. I stood in line for quite some time. When I finally got up there, I said hey Geddy and held out my hand for him to shake. He looked exhuasted. He just kind of looked up and me and seemed to be bewildered... "oh he wants me to shake his hand." He did shake my hand and all, but I felt like he was just so burned out. That was the last time I ever participated in those assembly line autograph sessions.

 

[bovinehost]

Somewhere, I also have a photo of Madonna that says, "Thanks for playing with me!"

FTR, I never played with her.

She wouldn't let me.

(This was late 1983, I think.)

 

[mrpackerguy]

As an adult, rarely went in for that with one notable exception. As a kid (as you can guess) I've got a bunch of the Glory Years Packers who were just past their prime in 1970. One of those guys was Ray Nitschke.

As an adult, Nitschke was at the grand opening our local Ace Hardware 10 or so years ago. My whole family of 5 goes down there, almost no one there. We have a nice 3 minute chat, he's just a regular guy. Super gentle. Super nice. He personalizes 5 autographed pictures from my daughters' "To a Living Doll..."....to mine..."To Bob, a Great Packer Fan, Ray Nitschke, HOF." I cherish that one, even more than my two Favres or Reggie White.

Sad thing about that Ray encounter. Kid from the next door Hardees walks up for an autographed photo, just as we are finishing up talking to him. Ray notices his Hardees uniform. Ray says "Whaddya got over there kid. Something like a double cheese? And have 'em put lots of bacon on that" "Sure Ray" says the kid. I assume said kid got Ray said burger. Later that week, the news came out of Ray's death from a massive heart attack. I can't help but tie that damn Hardees double cheese extra bacon to Ray Nitschke.

 

[JimB52]

Jack,
You knew Madonna in the early '80s? I remember working with her and saying to a friend that with her attitude and talent nobody would know who she was in 5 years. Oh Well.
Jim B

 

[EBMM7181]

Somewhere, I also have a photo of Madonna that says, "Thanks for playing with me!"

FTR, I never played with her.

She wouldn't let me.

(This was late 1983, I think.)

Joke:

What did Madonna's RIGHT leg say to her LEFT leg ??

 

[SteveB]

I haven't really 'actively' collected autographs, (except for the three on my JP6 trem cover.. BP, Dudley and JP).

But looking back, I do have a few interesting autographs.. I believe they were all obtained at dedicated autograph signing sessions except for the aforementioned ones.

Here's what I've got, from oldest to newest.

Steve Morse (on a clipped "Open Ears" magazine column)
Each original member of Queensryche, twice (on vinyl album covers!).
Vinnie Moore (also on a vinyl album cover.. Mind's Eye).
Lucious, from the SLO open house.
BP, Dudley and John Petrucci on my JP6 trem cover from the SLO open house.

I've actually got one other autograph, but it's 'classified'.

 

[SteveB]

Joke:

What did Madonna's RIGHT leg say to her LEFT leg ??

I'm completely guessing here, but I'll say:

"nothing, because they never met?"

 

[tkarter]

I am going to feel special if I am the only one with Jack's autograph.

I actually did have do do some wrangling to get it so it isn't like everyone stood a chande but still...........


tk

 

[KennethB]

I have the total of one autograph. Mike Stern. I got it after a gig where he came out in the hall to talk to the audience and to sell cd's.

Once, I also talked to Billy Sheehan after a Ampeg clinic. I think we talked for almost 10 minutes. Mostly about the finer points of his right hand technique and the greatness of Dennis Chambers. That clinic was very good. He's got a great sense of humor, a really funny guy. He enjoys communicating with people and is really into the bass. A friend of mine stayed behind for half an hour after I left the clinic. When my friend finally left, Billy was still there talking it up with the bass-players. A class act!

I would never ask for an autograph from someone who is not working. I'm not really into the whole autograph-thing.