From time to time, I have met “famous” people. This has happened both by purpose and/or being in the right place at the right time. These people have included musicians and professional athletes. If the situation permits, I have always asked them to tell me a story or tidbit that I won’t read about in any published literature about their careers. Without fail, the majority of these humans who have learned to live in the limelight of a certain type of fame have not disappointed in their short anecdotes. Here, as I remember, are how some of these interactions have gone. I have also included a sentence or two about how I met this person. Ready to learn some interesting factoids? Of course you are.
NAME: President George H. Bush, Manchester NH 1990 while playing with my high school band at an event.
Me, shaking his hand: “Mr. President, real quick…what’s the best part of your job?”
President Bush: “Being here right now with all of you wonderful young people.”
There’s a politician for you. Don’t worry, they get better now.
NAME: Rick Middleton, professional hockey player, Boston Bruins, Windham NH 2005 at an autograph signing. Rick played in the 1980’s with some great players such as Bruins legend Terry O’Reilly.
Me: “Rick, tell me a Bruins story that I won’t find in a book anywhere.”
Rick: (laughs) “O.k. I have one for you, and he will kill me if he knows I’m telling this story. Terry (O’Reilly) was always first in the locker room dressed on game day. It was annoying and none of us could ever beat him to this task. As you know from being a fan, the guy also had unbelievable skating ability both with and without the puck. Well one day I head into the dressing room to suit up and there’s Terry in full uniform with his skates on. He’s sitting on the bench in the dressing room with a towel against the side of his face….blood on his uniform and blood running down his cheek. A bunch of us (players) began to gather around him, busting his chops since he wouldn’t tell us what happened. It turns out that he wanted to do some skating drills around the net with the puck. Everything was fine until he had convinced himself that he could do the drills with his eyes closed. Not so much as he skated into the crossbar at the top of the net hard and ripped the side of his face open. He got bandaged up and made it out for the pregame skate where we all took turns pointing out to him where the net was located.”
Great story huh? Here’s another:
NAME: Steve Smith, Drummer with Journey (in the 1980’s), A jazz club in Boston 2009-ish. My buddy Joe and I caught his funk/fusion/jazz group Vital Information at a show and during a break, Steve came to our table and sat down as he saw that I had an unused drumhead waiting for an autograph. I have done this over the years and the signed heads hang in my teaching space where I tell the stories to my students.
Me: “So Steve, I know that you have been asked this before, but I need to know what it’s like to have played drums on Don’t Stop Believin’? That tune has become a timeless anthem….it has to be incredible for you.”
Steve: “One word. Royalties! (laughs). Actually, playing with Journey was an amazing and fun time in my life. All of those guys are great, and it was incredible to go on tour to that scale with thousands of people in the audience night after night. None of us ever dreamed that Don’t Stop would gain the popularity that it has, but it was a fun song to play on, like all of the Journey songs were. You just wouldn’t believe how much traveling and that stuff takes out of you. I’m glad I did it when I was young. Now I get tired just thinking about that.”
Me: “Actually Steve, I can believe it. I never stop believing.”
Steve: “Good one. Never heard any of those jokes before. Want me to sign that drumhead? (laughs)
Me: “I’m funny, I can open your set with a plethora of great jokes.” That was about the end of the conversation….but hey…..aren’t we all living just to find emotion? Hiding somewhere in the night??
Part II next week…..
Stay safe, stay awesome and stay tuned.
Patrick moeschen 