Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Here's a question that could really heat things up (and NOT in a bad way, I hope!): Have you met anyone famous?

It could be an actor you met a coffeeshop, a big-time musician who happened to be in Norman's Rare Guitars (just throwing a place out there for you) the same time as you, or anything. Or maybe you bought something a famous person was after or they bought it before you? (Collin, tell us about Mike Campbell and your Vox Guitorgan!) If we not familar with who you've met, post a link with a bio about them.

A friend of mine told me that when you meet a celebrity, the last thing that comes up is what they're famous for.

Next week, I'll be going to the Houston Catastrophe Theatre in Houston, Texas, to meet my favorite TV actor Jim Parsons from "The Big Bang Theory". I'm excited as this is the first celebrity I'll be meeting. I probably will be so dumbstruck, I won't know what to say!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Parsons

I worked for Robbie Coltrane and Bob Geldof popped in for lunch and played acoustic guitar for a while.I know Barry Wallace of the Fratellis and a few others in my time that are not worth mentioning.

Oh and aitch from OZ he is a big star

The Who (sans Townsend), Cheap Trick (appeared on stage with them, long story), Procol Harum, ZZ Top, Doobie Bros. Stephen Stills, Roger McGuinn, Steve Earle, the Moody Blues, Joni Mitchell and a few other lesser names of years ago, Black Oak Arkansas, It's A Beautiful Day, Huey Lewis, and likely others I can't remember. Some of these bands/individuals I did the presents for when in concert.


Some actors as well, but I'll have to think on that one for a while.


It was all a long time ago.

I was President Nixon's paperboy... Really!
At the "Western Whitehouse" in San Clemente, CA. I met Nixon & Henry Kissinger.

I went to school with Hobart (Hobie) Alter Jr. Who's dad is famous for Hobie Surfboards and the Hobie Cat. I met his dad numerous times too.

I talked on the phone with Neil Armstrong, yes, that one. My grandfather was one of his professors at Purdue University and kept in touch with him pretty much until he (my grandfather) passed away.

I stood on Lloyd Cole's foot (brown brogues of course) in Demob in Beak Street once. He said, "Ow", I said "Oh don't make a commotion".

True story - I'm here all week.

Man, plenty.......let's play the "name drop" game and I'll try to think of all of them.

Music:
Roger Daltrey
Slash
Dweezil Zappa (and I told him he sucked).
All of the Stone Temple Pilots
Lots of people from lame Orange County Bands like No Doubt, Lit, Sublime, Reel Big Fish, Save Ferris
Taylor Hawkins
Krist Novoselic (of Nirvana)
Dave Grohl
Morrissey
Brooks Wackerman

non-music:

Keanu Reeves
Steven Segal
Jonathan Bornstein (Footballer, plays for Chivas)
Jodie Sweetin (played Stephanie Tanner on Full House)
Michael Fishman (played DJ on Roseanne) Michael, Jodie and Jonathan all went to high school with me.


I'm sure there is more...just can't remember right now.


ps, I didn't meet Mike Campbell, I saw the guitar organ at a guitar show, and laid down a deposit. When I went to the dealer's actual shop he told me Mike Campbell has just been in there a little while before me looking to buy the guitar but couldn't. At least that's the story the dealer told me...

Oh, I thought of a couple more.

I was a ski patroller at Big Bear in California, met Cheech Marin skiing there one day.

As for musicians, well, lots of semi-famous people in local bands, some big enough to have a few LPs, most never made the big time. The only one I can think of off hand who's still playing and is fairly well known in the Chicago area is Duke Tumatoe, I've still got a few of his LPs that are autographed...

I literally bumped into Mike Peters in Oxford Street - not far from Shelly's shoes. He had very pointy boots and looked a little shaken - I said "don't be alarmed".

Another true story.

Quite a few, but one sticks in my mind.

I work at an independent film/TV/commercial studio in Hollywood. I don't do anything spectacular, I'm the internet guy. I see a lot of famous people come through here, but the biggest surprise was the day that Graham Nash walked into my office. He was involved in some kind of production here, and was looking for the stage.

Blew my mind.

Can't say I remember having met many famous actors, although I did meet Ray Romano, and bumped into Tom Hanks (literally) once.

I also worked at a rehearsal studio for a while, where I worked very briefly with the likes of Spinal Tap, Steve Perry, REO Speedwagon, Melissa Etheridge, Shiela E., Lita Ford, Ozzy Osbourne, etc. etc. etc. Didn't talk much to most of them, but I remember Kevin Cronin as being a really nice, down-to-earth guy. Oh, and Weird Al, who was exactly as one might imagine him.

Recently, I've been on an acoustic tour with Sid & Susie (Matthew Sweet and Susanna Hoffs) as their lead guitarist. Just joined Matthew's band, as well. I'm also the guitar tech for The Bangles. In my spare time, I play with my "regular" band, John Wicks and The Records (evolved from The Records, of "Starry Eyes" fame.)

Overall, the "famous people" whom I've met have been really decent people, and a lot of fun to be around. I know there are many who are on the opposite end of the spectrum, but I've had the good fortune to have avoided them, for the most part.

I recall a friend of mine having related the story of his meeting Gene Simmons at a club in L.A. Gene looked at him and asked, "Who are you?" His reply was, "Nobody."

I met Kenny Howes once. Does he count?

The most famous person I've met is McCartney

Paul Wilczynski and a few others

Does "Weird Al" count?

The first two people who come to mind are a former Oregon U.S. Senator and former Governor, Mark O. Hatfield. The second one I can think of is folk singer/song writer John McCutcheon. I opened for him once when he was playing here in Lawrence.
JimK

Had breakfast with Jimmy Carter one time and chatting with Marlon Brando in the '70s was probably the most enlightening.

Saw a lot of Hound Dog Taylor in the '70s as well.

But, of course, the guy who outshines them all... I met John Hall of Rickenbacker in the early '90s at the RIC plant.

I have also only corresponded with our famous Jingle Jangle. I am sure and in-person meet with Paul would be in my Top Ten!!

Manta

I got Andrew Loog Oldham's autograph when I was 9 years old...