posted
I was at a Borders Books and Music and I walked by the magazine rack and had to do a double take.
Flipping through an issue was Newsweek (I think it was Newsweek) was Springsteen. I've been a huge fan of his since I was a kid so I was pretty star struck. I wanted to talk to him, but didn't want to be like every other fan in the world and just end up bothering him, so I kept my distance and snuck peeks over some books I was pretending to read.
After a few minutes I think he noticed me acting weird and actually smiled and waved at me, as if saying "Yeah, I know it's me, too."
So I just blurted out "I'm a big fan." And he walked over and said thanks and asked what my favorite album was and I said it was a tie between Born to Run and Darkness on the Edge of Town.
I ended up buying a copy of Born to Run right then and there in the store (my third copy) and asked him if he wouldn't mind signing it. So, now, I have an autographed Born to Run, and am still kind of in shock from meeting a person whose music I listen to almost everyday.
Posts: 340 | Registered: Jun 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
*laugh* I had a similar experience with Lyle Lovett -- or someone with a wonderful sense of self-aware humor -- a few years ago. I was at a Wendy's in Champaign, Illinois, and there was this guy who looked just like Lyle Lovett, reading a USA Today. He must have noticed that I did a double-take, because on the way out he stopped by my table and said, "Yes, I am Lyle Lovett." *grin*
Posts: 37449 | Registered: May 1999
| IP: Logged |
posted
I once saw Andie McDowell in the Earthfare in Asheville. I did not go up and bother her. I felt like it would have been an incredible invasion to do that. I wasnted to, though.
Posts: 3354 | Registered: May 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
Heh. I wouldn't know Bruce Springsteen if he came up and punched me. And I do enjoy his music.
My current situation - no TV and almost zero attention to the entertainment world - pretty much assures I wouldn't recognize most musicians.
Posts: 1813 | Registered: Apr 2001
| IP: Logged |
quote:Originally posted by Lyrhawn: I think the only two artists I'd be that starstruck by would either be Garth Brooks or Dave Matthews. Maybe Reba Mcintyre.
I did meet Elvis Costello once, but I haven't heard much of his music.
*burning jealousy at Costello meeting*
I'd love to meet Springsteen, Gecko. It sounds like he was a really nice guy about it, too, considering how often he must have to deal with fans.
Posts: 4313 | Registered: Sep 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
Tell me about it, Ero. I'm from Jersey so I hear a lot of stories about other people who met him, too.
My pal, a long time ago, ran into Springsteen at a Dunkin Donuts, and Springsteen invited him to sit down with him and they talked for a bit.
He's a really down-to-earth guy
As for Costello, I'd like to tap him on the shoulder, wait until he turns, yell "My Aim is True!" and then flee
Posts: 340 | Registered: Jun 2005
| IP: Logged |
quote:Originally posted by Gecko: Tell me about it, Ero. I'm from Jersey so I hear a lot of stories about other people who met him, too.
My pal, a long time ago, ran into Springsteen at a Dunkin Donuts, and Springsteen invited him to sit down with him and they talked for a bit.
He's a really down-to-earth guy
Another (minor) celeb who's really down to earth: Jared Leto. One of my friends from the U of Rochester went shopping at the closest mall and ran into him in Express. My friend played it cool with a line like, "Hey, I don't wanna make a big deal or anything, but I thought you were the s*** in Requiem."
End result: my friend and Jared Leto were shopping buddies for a few hours. They held each others' bags while they were trying stuff on. My friend was at once amazed and squicked out.
quote:As for Costello, I'd like to tap him on the shoulder, wait until he turns, yell "My Aim is True!" and then flee
posted
I once saw Kevin Nealon walking around in downtown Portsmouth (NH). But I didn't approach him, what with the violation of privacy and the fact that I always thought he was the worst cast member on SNL, and that's not exactly something you run up and tell someone, although people seem to do the equivalent to OSC quite regularly.
I think meeting Elvis Costello would make my life, can you elaborate on that Lyrhawn?
Posts: 959 | Registered: Oct 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
Oh I forgot, I've also met Kid Rock and almost Eminem. I didn't mention it because frankly I didn't think either meeting was all that special. I met them both at different times at the same Taco Bell, back when they both lived nearby (Kid Rock or his brother, some family member, lived across the street from a friend of mine for a little while, so I actually saw him fairly often).
Kid Rock was friendly and a cool enough guy. I chatted with him for a second and made note of the fact that though I hated rap, I actually liked much of what I've heard from him on the radio (which may be because he's more rock than rap these days, but at the time he was more rap). He seemed to take it as a compliment (which it was).
Eminem was a jerk. I saw him but didn't say a word, as I really don't like him at all. But a bunch of 12 and 13 year olds surrounded him asking them to sign baseball caps, sweatshirts and scraps of paper. He basically shrugged them all off and told them to leave him the f alone.
Costello seemed cool too. He was a client of one of my bosses for a settlement on some case or another that I guess he'd been a party to. Anyway he just happened to come into the office (the only day he did so) when I was there (which at the time was rare, since my hours had been cut) and my boss told me to keep him company and get him whatever he wanted, which apparently was 10 minutes of banter. I said I'd only heard a very little bit of his music, and he asked me if I liked what I heard, and I said I did. Then we spent five or so minutes talking about Lord of the Rings (I really have no idea how it came up, but this was probably four years ago, so I guess Two Towers would have been in theaters at the time) until my boss interrupted me, which was probably a good idea as I tend to not know when to shut up when I start talking about LOTR.
Posts: 21898 | Registered: Nov 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
You met Elvis Costello and talked to him about LOTR...
Apparently you’re stealing my dreams and living them, In which case I'd watch out, since you'd probably think a walking, talking marshmallow would be fairly innocuous, but in reality it’s looking to smother something.
Posts: 959 | Registered: Oct 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
I've met several famous people, but only a few of them have been random out-in-the-street type encounters. I didn't get to form any impression of Butch Davis, Whitney Houston, or O. J. Simpson--nor did I talk to them. Brian Norcross is a local celebrity in Miami, and he seemed nice enough when I encountered him. Gloria Estefan is actually pretty cool, and Julio Iglesias is kind of an arrogant jerk (though Enrique was pretty cool, but he wasn't a celebrity when I met him).
Posts: 13680 | Registered: Mar 2002
| IP: Logged |
posted
Same here. I don't usually accost celebs in public (especially while they're trying to eat a meal, or while they are navigating a mall with baby in tow), so I've mostly spoken to them at events (like the two years I worked at the Chabad Telethon) where it's hard to get any real read on them.
I did have an interesting conversation with Keri Strug one morning when we both happened to show up early for our 9 am class. Must be over 10 years ago now, considering that I was pregnant with my son, who recently turned 10.
posted
Everything I've read about the way Bruce Springsteen interacts with people in "real life" impresses me.
Posts: 3149 | Registered: Jul 2005
| IP: Logged |
quote:Eminem was a jerk. I saw him but didn't say a word, as I really don't like him at all. But a bunch of 12 and 13 year olds surrounded him asking them to sign baseball caps, sweatshirts and scraps of paper. He basically shrugged them all off and told them to leave him the f alone.
In his defense, he's made it explicitly clear many, MANY times in interviews, TV appearances and song lyrics that he hates when people approach him in public and would really rather not be bothered.
Posts: 4313 | Registered: Sep 2004
| IP: Logged |
I've never understood his love of fame and money but lack of tolerance for everything he might not like that goes with it. If he doesn't want to be a celebrity, he should get out of showbusiness. If he wants it, then he gets the whole package.
I have zero sympathy for the guy.
Posts: 21898 | Registered: Nov 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
I see Elaine Irwin Mellancamp (the face of almay cosmetics as well as John Mellancamp's wife) at the local middle eastern grocerie at least twice a year, she's usually with at least one of her kids, and drops money into the animal shelter box on the counter.
Posts: 5362 | Registered: Apr 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
Plus, there are classier ways to communicate you rather be left alone. At least show more respect to the people who made you what you are
Posts: 340 | Registered: Jun 2005
| IP: Logged |
quote:Originally posted by Lyrhawn: He should get out of showbusiness then.
I've never understood his love of fame and money but lack of tolerance for everything he might not like that goes with it. If he doesn't want to be a celebrity, he should get out of showbusiness. If he wants it, then he gets the whole package.
I have zero sympathy for the guy.
While I agree, there's no rule that says being a celebrity means you have to be nice to the adoring public. If Eminem feels like telling a crowd of 13 year old kids who want an autograph to f*** off and die, that's his prerogative.
Keep in mind also that Eminem's entire persona is that of the standoff-ish, offensive jerk. He could very well be playing a character.
To summarize it:
quote:but at least have the decency in you to leave me alone, when you freaks see me out in the streets when I'm eatin or feedin my daughter to not come and speak to me (speak to me).. I don't know you and no, I don't owe you a mo-therf***-in thing I'm not Mr. N'Sync, I'm not what your friends think I'm not Mr. Friendly, I can be a prick if you tempt me my tank is on empty (is on empty).. No patience is in me and if you offend me I'm liftin you 10 feet (liftin you 10 feet).. in the air I don't care who is there and who saw me destroy you Go call you a lawyer, file you a lawsuit I'll smile in the courtroom and buy you a wardrobe I'm tired of all you (of all you)..
The guy is a jerk for a living. I don't actually care what he's "really" like. And I don't care if he is playing a part or not, he has no more of a "prerogative" to be rude than anyone else.
I have to say, the fact that you'd defend that kind of behavior makes me think a little less of you.
Posts: 32919 | Registered: Mar 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
I shared a hotel lobby very briefly with Meg Ryan. She was in Milwaukee for a political fundraiser, and I watched her walk past. Verrrrry tiny. She was wearing an Edwardian coat, a'la Kate and Leopold.
posted
My husband once sat in a bar in New Orleans and drank with Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin. Said he sat and drank with him for over an hour before the bartender asked him if he knew who he was sitting with. Wes said "Yeah, his name's Jimmy." The bartender said "His last name's Page" Wes said he looked back and Jimmy Page just grinned and said "Yup, it's me."
They sat and talked for another hour or two, Wes said he was a great guy. They kept playing Zeppelin in the bar, and Wes said Jimmy told him he was "bloody sick and tired" of hearing "Stairway to Heaven." Posts: 14428 | Registered: Aug 2001
| IP: Logged |
posted
I know the song, and hearing it is when I first decided that Eminem was useless and he should sit down and shut up.
He sounds weary and tired of fame in that song, but that isn't stopping him from making cds, and going on tour, and making music videos, and movies.
If he's that tired of it, he should give it up, and he'll fade away. And he'll likely get his life back to a degree. Otherwise, your fanbase got you where you are, and I think acting like a total prick and thinking you're the only one that matters, you deserve special treatment AND millions of dollars, well, I don't feel sorry for him. He's brought it on himself, and he can fix it himself, but he's too greedy to do it, so he should just shut up.
Posts: 21898 | Registered: Nov 2004
| IP: Logged |
quote:Originally posted by rivka: And that's in his defense?
Yeesh.
The guy is a jerk for a living. I don't actually care what he's "really" like. And I don't care if he is playing a part or not, he has no more of a "prerogative" to be rude than anyone else.
I have to say, the fact that you'd defend that kind of behavior makes me think a little less of you.
First: exactly. He has no more--and no less--prerogative to be rude than anyone else. How many of you would be tolerant of strangers bothering you EVERY. SINGLE. TIME you went into public?
Some stars can, and I respect them for it. Eminem can't (or is choosing not to) and I respect him less than the aforementioned artists for it, but I can't condemn him for it; I'd get short tempered, too.
:shrug:
I don't really care what he's really like, either. I don't like Eminem or his music, and tend to ignore both. But I find it ludicrous to say that any performer "owes" something to his fans. Artists owe you nothing. They are selling you something you want and are happy to have.
quote:I know the song, and hearing it is when I first decided that Eminem was useless and he should sit down and shut up.
He sounds weary and tired of fame in that song, but that isn't stopping him from making cds, and going on tour, and making music videos, and movies.
It's his job.
The next time you post in a thread bitching about some aspect of your job that's been wearing you down, I'll be happy to quote you back to yourself, that you're "useless and should sit down and shut up."
But that may be beside the point. I don't think he's tired of it. I think he knows his standoffish, aggressive attitude makes him unique and marketable. He was a constant entertainment news icon for years, with very few legal/fiscal consequences.
Posts: 4313 | Registered: Sep 2004
| IP: Logged |
Printer-friendly view of this topic
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
![[ROFL]](graemlins/rofl.gif)
