Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Drumbob,
I kind of got the impression that Camilla ran the show when I first saw Roger in 2007. I had taken the pickguard from my 370/12 RM for him to sign, and got there a good hour before the concert, but Camilla, who was in the lobby selling cd's and posters, told me that Roger doesn't have time for autographs any longer. Besides, she said, my pickguard already had "his signature," and I could buy one of the cd's or posters which he had personally signed. She was, however, very personable and charming in her own right.
She has her own blog tied to Roger's website, and Roger doesn't really say anything himself.

I had tickets for Boise, but he fell and broke his wrist and the show was cancelled.

Yes, when I saw him, his Rick was 'cordless' with one of those wireless transmitter devices sending the signal to his amp. I imagine that's the source of "the guitar's" sound troubles.

Well, we saw Roger live last night, and it was everything I expected. He took us through a musical trip from his youth in Chicago, the folkie days, through The Byrds, and up to "Back From Rio." He split his time evenly between the Martin acoustics and the Rick 12, and played just a little banjo. Byrds tunes included, "Mr. Tambourine Man," "Turn! Turn! Turn!," "Ol Blue," Chestnut Mare," "The Ballad of Easy Rider," I"ll Feel A Whole Lot Better," "So You Want To be A Rock 'n Roll Star?" and "Eight Miles High." His command of Clarence White style bluegrass picking was excellent, and he mentioned that Clarence was the best musician he ever worked with. All told, a great show. Roger was talkative, personable and smiling the whole time.

Camilla gave us backstage passes immediately when we got there, and was very nice to my wife and I. We waited for 10 minutes or so after the show, and she personally took us backstage to meet Roger, who signed the top part of my 330-12 pickguard (which I have already sprayed with clear matte lacquer to preserve it), and my copy of Younger Than Yesterday that Chris Hillman had signed a few month earlier. I gave Roger a copy of his Premier Guitar interview. He hadn't seen it.
Camilla told me that Roger doesn't really like signing anymore, because people deluge him with autograph requests, so she advised me to keep the items I wanted signed inconspicuous. I didn't really matter, as there was no one backstage after the show with Roger except for the promoter and announcer.

Roger looked and sounded great and clearly enjoys playing these venues solo. One interesting note was that the middle pickup on his Rick was taped over with black gaffer's tape. When I asked him why, he said it was a grounding issue.

One final thing, we ate before the show at a great Thai restaurant in Ardsley called The Thai House. Great food. Highly recommended.

goofyfoot wrote:drumbob.....THANK YOU for sharing your thoughts about yesterday's evening with Roger McGuinn. It made for an interesting read. Man, that had to be COOL being backstage with him. Black tape on the middle pickup? Genius. BTW, did Roger use thumb/fingerpicks? Peace, out.....G-foot.

David...Yes, he did use thumb and fingerpicks intermittently.

Very glad to hear all that! Thanks for posting that Bob.

Drumbob,
Thanks for the great write up. I am pleased that he played the Rick when you saw him, as so many of us were denied that pleasure due to various sound issues the last few reported shows. Roger does put on an excellent concert, and in the small venues that he plays, when he tells his stories and relates his anecodotes, it feels like he is sharing with just us.

Hey DB!

Congratulations - you got closer to RM than most of us would have ever dreamed we would. Sounds like it was a great show, and it's nice that Mrs McGuinn was so cordial and helpful; it must have been a great experience. Thanks for the report.

YOU DID GOOD!

Bob

DB:
Thanks for the 411. That'll be one experience never duplicated. The set material sounds similar to the Elgin, IL show last month. Did the show last about 90 minutes?
We'll be seeing RM again on May 15th in Chicago for the wife's bday (her choice). How cool is that? Got the tix on a lucky break.

Janglyman wrote:DB:
Thanks for the 411. That'll be one experience never duplicated. The set material sounds similar to the Elgin, IL show last month. Did the show last about 90 minutes?
We'll be seeing RM again on May 15th in Chicago for the wife's bday (her choice). How cool is that? Got the tix on a lucky break.

Shhweeet, J-Man. Do give us a heads up after the show. I live vicariously through you and your wife. Best regards.......Goofyfoot.

Russell...Yes, the show was just about 90 minutes. My wife, who is not really a big music person, really enjoyed it. That says something right there.

Since 5/15 is the wife's b-day, what are my chances of getting an autograph or a signed anything? Maybe I can convince Camilla that it's a girl thing.

If I got to meet Roger, I wouldn't want to get anything signed, but I would want a photo

Yeah, good idea Jake. It might be worth a try.