Wow, are you some kind of drug dealer in L.A or something?
But seriously epic man, you must be one heck of a cool guy!
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Brushes with greatness?
- Thread starter ShredderMaximus
- Start date
Wow, are you some kind of drug dealer in L.A or something?
But seriously epic man, you must be one heck of a cool guy!
Well geez, if we're gonna count college lectures as "brushes with greatness" I've brushed with Billy Hart, Jeff Berlin, Robert Fripp, Billy Cobham, and Gary Burton. And if post-grad master classes count, I've also brushed with Elliott Carter, Toru Takemitsu, Milton Babbitt, and Luciano Berio.
...but that all just sounds like name-dropping.
I prefer brushes like the time I met Brooks Robinson of the Baltimore Orioles: I was 6 or 7 years old, and my grandfather took me to some restuarant for lunch, and we sat at the "lunch counter" (aka, the bar) and at some point a guy comes up to me and says "hey kid, do you know who you're sitting next to?" and I pointed to my grandfatehr and said "Him?" and the guy laughed and patted the guy sitting on the other side of me's shoulder and said, "No, this guy, the greatest third baseman who ever played the game!" Brooks smiled, said something to the guy who'd outed him, and then turned to me and said "You like baseball?" and we wound up talking for 10 or 15 minutes while eating sandwiches (...and -- something I only realized in hindsight many years later -- while my grandfather got drunk on Canadian Club).
Wow, are you some kind of drug dealer in L.A or something?
But seriously epic man, you must be one heck of a cool guy!
The opposite of cool. Just worked for MTV then the NFL.
Hey thats all legit, not many of us have a opportunities like this
Reminds me of a time when my grandpa introduced me to a friend of his at a Coco's restaurant one time when I was a kid, don't remember his name but he had played for the Oakland Raiders and had a SuperBowl ring.
I've met a few. Let's do music first.
Ruben Studdard, American Idol winner. I was walking by the Four Seasons hotel in Philly, and saw a tour bus. Hoping it was for Rush, who were in town, I asked the driver. He said, "no, it's for him," and pointed to Ruben standing across the sidewalk. Spoke with him about fine Philly cuisine -- i.e., cheesesteaks -- for a few minutes. I suspect he devoured a few while in town. Super nice, friendly dude.
Prince. My buddy scored front row tickets for the Musicology tour, which Prince played in the round. At one point during a band jam, Prince came down our row, handing each of us Jehovah's Witness pamplets. I was so startled, I just said, "uhh, thanks dude." I still have the pamplet.
John Doe, at a meet 'n greet after his show. Love his solo albums, and his work with X in the 1980's, and he's a great guy. He spent lots of time with fans after the show.
JMJ, at a meet 'n greet following an Ima Robot show. His playing altered my playing in positive ways, and it was rewarding to tell him that. One of my favorite players, and a true class act. I hung out a bit with the band's guitarists while watching the next band, and they were extremely laid back and cool as well.
Now for law/politics:
The late former Chief Justice William Rhenquist. About twelve years ago, he spoke where I teach, and I talked with him for about five minutes at a reception. I wasn't always thrilled with his legal rulings, but you couldn't fault His Honor's class and integrity.
Vice President Joseph Biden. I encountered him outside my classroom the day after the Senate declined to convict President Clinton on the articles of impeachment. I invited him into my class, so my students could congratulate the Senate on its judicious resolution of the matter. He barked, "I've got only four minutes." I said it would take no more than two. He spoke for 35. It was awesome.
Former N.Y.C. Mayor Ed Koch. My dad was close friends with Koch's speechwriter, and we met him during the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Statue of Liberty.
Former FBI Director Louis Freeh. He spoke where I teach, and I had a nice conversation with him. Very, very sharp guy.
Ruben Studdard, American Idol winner. I was walking by the Four Seasons hotel in Philly, and saw a tour bus. Hoping it was for Rush, who were in town, I asked the driver. He said, "no, it's for him," and pointed to Ruben standing across the sidewalk. Spoke with him about fine Philly cuisine -- i.e., cheesesteaks -- for a few minutes. I suspect he devoured a few while in town. Super nice, friendly dude.
Prince. My buddy scored front row tickets for the Musicology tour, which Prince played in the round. At one point during a band jam, Prince came down our row, handing each of us Jehovah's Witness pamplets. I was so startled, I just said, "uhh, thanks dude." I still have the pamplet.
John Doe, at a meet 'n greet after his show. Love his solo albums, and his work with X in the 1980's, and he's a great guy. He spent lots of time with fans after the show.
JMJ, at a meet 'n greet following an Ima Robot show. His playing altered my playing in positive ways, and it was rewarding to tell him that. One of my favorite players, and a true class act. I hung out a bit with the band's guitarists while watching the next band, and they were extremely laid back and cool as well.
Now for law/politics:
The late former Chief Justice William Rhenquist. About twelve years ago, he spoke where I teach, and I talked with him for about five minutes at a reception. I wasn't always thrilled with his legal rulings, but you couldn't fault His Honor's class and integrity.
Vice President Joseph Biden. I encountered him outside my classroom the day after the Senate declined to convict President Clinton on the articles of impeachment. I invited him into my class, so my students could congratulate the Senate on its judicious resolution of the matter. He barked, "I've got only four minutes." I said it would take no more than two. He spoke for 35. It was awesome.
Former N.Y.C. Mayor Ed Koch. My dad was close friends with Koch's speechwriter, and we met him during the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Statue of Liberty.
Former FBI Director Louis Freeh. He spoke where I teach, and I had a nice conversation with him. Very, very sharp guy.
My job gets allows me to cross paths with many celebrities but the coolest moment I ever had was....
I got married in Northern California. After the wedding we spent some time in San Fran and Sausalito. Me and my new bride were at an art gallery in Sausalito when I hear this guy with an accent talking to her. I was busy holding something and couldnt get away and I couldnt see them because there was paintings on display all over the place blocking my view. My wife and this cat were really chatting it up. When I finally saw who was trying to pickup my hot new wife...I was relieved to see it was Rob Halford. We ended up having coffee with him on his dime...What a cool moment!!!
I got married in Northern California. After the wedding we spent some time in San Fran and Sausalito. Me and my new bride were at an art gallery in Sausalito when I hear this guy with an accent talking to her. I was busy holding something and couldnt get away and I couldnt see them because there was paintings on display all over the place blocking my view. My wife and this cat were really chatting it up. When I finally saw who was trying to pickup my hot new wife...I was relieved to see it was Rob Halford. We ended up having coffee with him on his dime...What a cool moment!!!
oh, and i got to meet pauly shore. He had a show a while back where he took over local businesses; i think it only ran an episode or two. He came to D-town to manage our local movie theater. He jumped inside the popcorn machine...
When I was 15, me and a couple of friends went to a Star Trek convention in Boston. This was a few months before the release of Star Trek IV. We were waiting for an elevator and when the door opened, out came Gene Roddenberry, Majel Barrett, DeForest Kelley, and George Takei. They were all very nice, and IIRC we did get a picture with them, but I think my friend back east still has it.
I met Jack Blades from Night Ranger a couple of times, as he lives in the area. The first time was when I was working at a Round Table pizza in Santa Rosa, around 1991 or so. The second time was at a musicians flea market in Cotati, he picked up a Steinberger Spirit bass I was trying to unload and took a few minutes with it. Too bad he didnt buy it!
Buck Dharma, right after a Blue Oyster Cult concert around 1989 or 1990 at the Omni in Oakland. Ill have to look at the stub to be sure of the exact date. He was walking by with a woman, and as he passed I said great show!. He said F&$k You! and walked away. It was a great show, but I guess he didnt have such a good night.
Another Night Ranger member, Jeff Watson, who was at a Steve Morse gig, also at the Omni. He had done a song with Morse on the album he was touring for, so he was waiting for his turn to head on up and play. He was a bit stand-off-ish.
I didnt meet him, but while at an arcade in Vegas in 1998 I saw Sinbad playing video games with his kids. I didnt want to bother him, so I stayed away, but this guy playing a game next to me says Hey! Thats Sinbad! My response was to remind the guy that he was with his kids, leave him alone. He didnt listen. He approached Sinbad, and Sinbad said Come on, man, Im with my kids!.
I quite literally ran into Lars Ulrich while at a Ozzy Osborne show at the Warfield in SF. He was on his way out the door, I was coming in, and he bumped into me. I said Lars Ulrich?, and he bolted out the door very quickly. This was right around the time the Black album was really popular, and I think he just didnt want to get mobbed.
I met Jack Blades from Night Ranger a couple of times, as he lives in the area. The first time was when I was working at a Round Table pizza in Santa Rosa, around 1991 or so. The second time was at a musicians flea market in Cotati, he picked up a Steinberger Spirit bass I was trying to unload and took a few minutes with it. Too bad he didnt buy it!
Buck Dharma, right after a Blue Oyster Cult concert around 1989 or 1990 at the Omni in Oakland. Ill have to look at the stub to be sure of the exact date. He was walking by with a woman, and as he passed I said great show!. He said F&$k You! and walked away. It was a great show, but I guess he didnt have such a good night.
Another Night Ranger member, Jeff Watson, who was at a Steve Morse gig, also at the Omni. He had done a song with Morse on the album he was touring for, so he was waiting for his turn to head on up and play. He was a bit stand-off-ish.
I didnt meet him, but while at an arcade in Vegas in 1998 I saw Sinbad playing video games with his kids. I didnt want to bother him, so I stayed away, but this guy playing a game next to me says Hey! Thats Sinbad! My response was to remind the guy that he was with his kids, leave him alone. He didnt listen. He approached Sinbad, and Sinbad said Come on, man, Im with my kids!.
I quite literally ran into Lars Ulrich while at a Ozzy Osborne show at the Warfield in SF. He was on his way out the door, I was coming in, and he bumped into me. I said Lars Ulrich?, and he bolted out the door very quickly. This was right around the time the Black album was really popular, and I think he just didnt want to get mobbed.
Epic stories, to bad about Lars though, you can't blame him too much though, I'm sure they were blowin up pretty big at the time.
BTW that wouldn't happen to be the Round Table in Montgomery Village, would it? I love that place! I actually live right down the street too, small world!
Wow! Yeah, it was the Montgomery Village Round Table. I worked there from 1990-1992, used to live on Yulupa, across from a shopping center. Small world for sure! I live in Rohnert Park now.
What a neat coincidence - when my older brother was a kid, my grandfather had taken him on a bus trip to a baseball game in Baltimore, and Brooks Robinson actually came onto the bus and chatted with people for a few mins. My grandpop had bought my bro a baseball and Brooks signed it for him and talked to him for a while. My brother claimed that he was a really nice guy.
Well, the only one that might impress some TB'ers is getting Geddy's autograph on a vinyl LP jacket. Got Alex and Neil's too. Very nice guys.
Michael Douglas was driving through the alley while the old band and I were offloading gear. He stopped, waved and said hello to everyone. Was quite cordial. Then we finished up and he drove on
Yup. Mike is a great guy. Ive had the chance to hang out with him a few times. My friend Sara was getting bass lessons from Kira Roessler (Mike's ex-wife and bandmate in Dos), so she started hanging around Mike and introduced us.
I've met Les Claypool after a Frog Brigade show. I was a little star struck because I was drunk among other things but I wasn't an arse. Had him sharpie his sig onto my bass. He said we were crazy for standing in the cold and then quickly got on his bus.
I passed the Knitting Factory here in Spokane looking for a spot to park and spotted Umphrey's McGee bassist Ryan Stasik at the load in doors smoking a cigarette; literally 5 feet away (I was attending their show that night),...but that's as close as I got. Can't say that he is exactly that famous,...especially around these parts where nobody has ever heard of UM.
Met Victor Wooten. My ex actually got him to sign my bass but it was on a different occasion that I met him along with Bela Fleck, Jeff Coffin and Futureman. This was a a meet and great after they played the INB Preforming Arts Center with the Spokane Symphony. My wife got to stroke Jeff Coffin's beard
While my wife, her surrogate mother and I were eating brunch on my birthday at a cafe in Pikes Street,...Mark Dacascos and a female friend came in and sat next to us. I tried not to be weird but I had had a few Bloody Marys and did the clandestine point the finger and cup the hand over the mouth whispering "That's the Chairman from Iron Chef America."
I would have preferred it were Alton Brown. At any rate our food came and we ate it like nothing was out of the ordinary and when all was said and done, bills paid and we were on our way out the door,...I shook his hand and said it was a treat to have brunch next to the "Chairman". He acknowledge and his lady companion wished me a happy b-day. I figured it would be a little classier to let them enjoy their meal in peace.
I passed the Knitting Factory here in Spokane looking for a spot to park and spotted Umphrey's McGee bassist Ryan Stasik at the load in doors smoking a cigarette; literally 5 feet away (I was attending their show that night),...but that's as close as I got. Can't say that he is exactly that famous,...especially around these parts where nobody has ever heard of UM.
Met Victor Wooten. My ex actually got him to sign my bass but it was on a different occasion that I met him along with Bela Fleck, Jeff Coffin and Futureman. This was a a meet and great after they played the INB Preforming Arts Center with the Spokane Symphony. My wife got to stroke Jeff Coffin's beard
While my wife, her surrogate mother and I were eating brunch on my birthday at a cafe in Pikes Street,...Mark Dacascos and a female friend came in and sat next to us. I tried not to be weird but I had had a few Bloody Marys and did the clandestine point the finger and cup the hand over the mouth whispering "That's the Chairman from Iron Chef America."
I would have preferred it were Alton Brown. At any rate our food came and we ate it like nothing was out of the ordinary and when all was said and done, bills paid and we were on our way out the door,...I shook his hand and said it was a treat to have brunch next to the "Chairman". He acknowledge and his lady companion wished me a happy b-day. I figured it would be a little classier to let them enjoy their meal in peace.
Here is one of many I have had over the years...
Canadians will know who I am talking about here.
A few years back, while employed at a local golf course, I played 18 holes of golf with famed hockey commentator Dick Irvin. He was in the area attending a family wedding.
It was a very enjoyable day, and was quite surreal to hear the "play by play" of the round coming from the famed announcer. Definitely a memorable day.
Canadians will know who I am talking about here.
A few years back, while employed at a local golf course, I played 18 holes of golf with famed hockey commentator Dick Irvin. He was in the area attending a family wedding.
It was a very enjoyable day, and was quite surreal to hear the "play by play" of the round coming from the famed announcer. Definitely a memorable day.
