BRIEF ENCOUNTERS PT. 1

In my lifetime I've had the opportunity to hobnob, chat with and in some cases, kiss more than my fair share of slightly famous people. I'm not really sure how - perhaps it's because I never really tried to. Nonetheless, I thought they would make interesting stories, so here they go!

Many years ago in 1987 (or thereabout) I was volunteering as an usher for the Syria Mosque - a pretty nice concert venue in Pittsburgh. As a volunteer I would show people to their seats and at about 15 minutes after the start of the headliner would be able to take a seat up front. It was a pretty good gig for a college student and enabled me to see all sorts of shows I otherwise would not have been able to afford.

One night in particular I showed up early for a Berlin concert (you know "Metro" and "Sex (I'm A)") and was sitting in the center seat of the hall waiting to start. I had just missed sound check and the roadies were moving things about on stage. A really good looking guy walked in and sat down next to me.

"Hello, what are you doing here so early?", he said.

I proceeded to explain. Boy was he cute... I wonder if he lives around here?

"What's your name?", he asked.

"Jamie... And yours?", I replied.

"My name is John", he responded.

We continued to chat for a while and then I asked: "Well John where will you be sitting for the show?" Oh PLEASE let it be my section!

"Actually, I'll be standing right about there." And he pointed to center stage left.

HUH?!?

"I'm actually in Berlin..." he continued, "I'll be singing and playing bass. Where will you be?"

Now keep in mind, this is pre-internet. And though everyone knew what Terri Nunn looked like, I would have been hard pressed to pick out the rest of the band in a police line-up.

I smiled, "Once I get to sit down I'll be just about in front of you."

"Well, I'll be sure to wave!"

So later after we parted and they took the stage, I finally was able to take my seat. Girls all around me were screaming for John's attention. He was all made up now, stage clothes and big 80's hair. So much different than the guy I met earlier.

John spotted me, came over to my area, smiled big, waved and said "Hi Jamie!"

Boy, were those girls jealous. And I just waved back smiling from ear to ear.

And so it began...