Not many people get the opportunity to meet their idols or any famous people in general. I guess I was just lucky, being in the right place at the right time. My first encounter with a famous person was when I was about 14 and I was once a huge Meat Loaf fan. I went with a friend to meet him at a book signing in the Glades, Bromley. I remember waiting in the queue and all of a sudden this booming voice sounded out saying "What is this a meet and greet or a funeral? I want everyone to turn around a talk to the person standing behind them!" Meat himself was standing up and addressing the queue of fans, much to the dislike of his body guards. I was shaking when I approached the table and gave him my copy of his autobiography to sign and he also very kindly signed my Bat out of Hell album cover, which i've still got and am actually very proud of. I remember very shakily (for he was a big man & very unpredictable) asking him how the operation went on his knee that I heard he had quite recently and he replied that it was fine and healing very well thank you. Then I had a photo taken (which is too embaressing to put on here) and was moved on.
My taste in music has changed a bit and now I'm a huge fan of Iron Maiden. About two years ago I went to see a new band called Voodoo Six, who I saw supporting Maiden at a gig and thought they were worth seeing again. They were playing at the Marquee Club when it was based in Leicester Square, London. Also playing was Lauren Harris and her band. She's the daughter of Steve Harris, the Iron Maiden founder and bass player. I went along with my cousin on a Friday night and it turned out to be a great night of live music. The Marquee Club was very small and intimate with a great atmosphere. The bands would come down from the stage after their set into the crowd and head straight for the bar. My cousin and I were standing at the bar when the Voodoo Six guys approached, bought us a drink each and we started a conversation with them about guitars and the music industry.
Then Lauren Harris came on and her father Steve played bass guitar on one of the songs. Again, they just walked off the stage into the crowd and Steve was immediately surrounded by fans. My cousin and I watch him for a bit, although I think my cousin had his eye more on Lauren. Eventually I mustered up the courage to approach Steve Harris and shake his hand. I wish I had a photo taken, which is something I really regret not having and my cousin got to meet Lauren, which he was very chuffed about.
17/04/08 @ 09:40