I'm writing this slow, as I don't want you reading it too fast.
Saw his show last night. Lowell Memorial Auditorium, Lowell, MA.
My 17 year old daughter, Brittany, wanted this concert as her Christmas gift. Perfect. BB is probably the one inspiration she draws upon in her guitar playing. Her eyes fill with tears, and she seems to go into a trance when watching him. I've never seen anything like it. She knows a couple hundred of his tunes. She knows the names and faces of his band and crew.
This is where it gets good. During the support act, she decided she may want a t-shirt, poster, or something to bring back home. We go out into the lobby to peruse the wares. Brittany pokes my side, rather sharply. "Dad, there's BB's stage manager!" I don't know how she does it. When I was touring, I had no idea who my stage manager was. Oh well. She asked me if she could go over and say hi, and let him know how much she enjoys BB's shows. I consented. Off we go, she introduces herself and me to him. Strikes up a fine conversation. During this conversation, my opinion of Hendrix is validated. He sucked. Anyway, I guess Brittany made quite an impression. We were told to meet the stage crew at stage right after the show. How cool. He said he may be able to get BB to sign something for her.
Off we go, as the show will start soon. Eighty years young, and a bellowing voice that shakes the house. His playing, perfection. He has a way of story telling and playing, that makes you feel as if you've known him your entire life. The sellout crowd sang along, and even was bantering with the Legend. He told stories about the meaning behind songs, his favorite writers, all kinds of stuff. I felt like we were at his home, just having fun. What an energizing two + hours.
Show ends, Brittany starts getting nervous. "What if he forgets?" Well, that was not to be an issue. A stage hand and the stage manager both flagged Brittany, like they were the kids in awe. So, we were led to the velvet rope, at the edge of backstage. Brittany's new friend told us to hold on a minute. He was going off to see if BB would sign her program. About five minutes later, another stagehand comes over, and said BB would sign something. She starts digging out the program to be signed. The guy says, "No, you don't understand." We were led backstage for a private audience with BB! Wow! Brittany and BB talked like they were old friends. Guitar stuff, signed her ticket and program. Dug through everything he had beside him to find her a guitar pick, then insisted they have a pic taken together. What a terrific and nice person, that Mr. King.
A true gentleman, a true legend.
Thanks for letting me share.
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"I won't be wronged, I won't be insulted, I won't be laid a hand on. I don't do these things to other people, and I require the same from them."
Posts: 3570 | Location: Tombstone, AZ | Registered: October 24, 2002
WOW Thats Outstanding!!! I like BB's music and have bought many of his CDs and albums over the years. It would be great to meet him. Congrats to you and your daughter.
*********************** "He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion." - Anonymous
wacco, you and your daughter were lucky. I'm jealous. I took both my kids to see him here in Detroit last January. It was their first time, my 9th or 10th seeing him. You're right, he puts on a phenomenal show. Bobby Bland was with him as usual, he can still belt them out too. B.B. was great and my youngest son, who is 12, has just started taking formal guitar lessons. He was overwhelmed. They don't make performers like B. B. any more. This will be a memory for both of you to reminisce about for years.
"Happiness is a good martini, a good meal, a good cigar and a good woman, or a bad woman, depending on how much happiness you can stand" George Burns
Posts: 622 | Location: Lincoln Park, MI | Registered: March 21, 2004
Your Daughter has been blest with a gift that can't be bought at any price and she will NEVER forget that moment in time or the fact that you were there with her to share it. I have been blest to have a few such moments in my life they are priceless.
Very nice Wacco! Very impressive! BB must be a very nice guy to do that!
Equally impressive is that you have a 17 year old daughter! I've seen a picture of your daughters, and whoever the dad is, he must have been good looking!
Tiny Tim Sergeant at Arms S.N.O.B. #1020 B.A.S.E. # 0003 <(0)>
Posts: 3341 | Location: Columbia, S.C. USA | Registered: April 23, 2003
