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-Jrabbit
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of the Electronic Egyptians
Feb 2002
time: 23:23
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Name-dropping? My specialty...
Mostly musicians, mostly work-related. Most meetings were professional and fairly perfunctory. Several were repeated over the years. In a several cases, I had extended, personal interactions. Many of these folks would likely recognize me, but far fewer than half would remember my name. Partial list:
Individuals:
Keith Richards, Tom Jones, Axl Rose, Slash, Sheryl Crow, Lou Reed, Buddy Guy, Melissa Etheriddge, Elvis Costello, Mary-Chapin Carpenter, Paul Simon, Perry Farrell, Stevie Wonder, Lemmy, Vince Gill, Michael Brecker, Henry Rollins, Joe Strummer, John Lydon, David Byrne, Wynonna, Pavarotti, Billy Corgan, Debbie Harry, George Benson, Michelle Branch, Iggy Pop, Alice Cooper, David Sanborn, Janis Ian, Ian Anderson, Jonny Lang, Chris Robinson, Mary J. Blige, Bette Midler, Laurie Anderson, Herbie Hancock, Rob Halford, Charlie Daniels, Chrissie Hynde, "Weird Al" Yankovic, Lisa Loeb, Emmylou Harris, John Hiatt, Al Jarreau, Patti LaBelle, Tim McGraw, BNrian Setzer, Polly (PJ) Harvey, Dr. John, Waylon Jennings, John Mellencamp, Allman Brothers (90s edition), Hank Williams Jr., Shania Twain, Bobby McFerrin, Travis Tritt, LeAnn Rimes, Erykah Badu, Ozzy Osbourne, Faith Hill, Brian Wilson, Clarence Clemons, Qbert, Celine Dion...
Groups:
Guns 'N Roses and every freaking hair-metal band of the 90s, Pink Floyd (early 90s edition), Rolling Stones, Ramones, Living Colour, Bush, Cheap Trick, Little Feat, Gang of Four, Boyz II Men, CS&N, Eagles, Fugees, Los Lobos, The Who, Aerosmith, Cranberries, Gin Blossoms, Soundgarden, Korn, Mana, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Spinal Tap, Metallica, SWV, Pantera, Z (Dweezil and Ahmet Zappa), Take 6, Neville Brothers, Live, Beastie Boys, Blues Traveler, Goo Goo Dolls, Soul Asylum, No Doubt, Chicago, Kiss, Deftones, Foghat, The Prodigy, Spice Girls, Dixie Chicks, The Residents, Nickelback...
Non-Musicians:
David Letterman, Jay Leno, Penn & Teller, Artis Gilmore, Walter Payton, Debbie Reynolds, Gallagher, A. Whitney Brown, Jennifer Lopez, Mike Ditka, Al Franken, Dana Carvey...
I did this gig (artist relations mgr. for a microphone manufacturer) for about 12 years -- choosing and negotiating endorsements, booking an occasional concert gig at a trade show. My primary interactions were with managers, sound engineers, etc. But some of the artists really get involved.
Some memorable moments (no particular order):
--Hanging out in the tour bus, drinking coffee with Iggy Pop
--Ten minutes alone with Axl Rose
--Discussing baseball collectibles with Johnny Ramone
--Watching the OJ simpson low-speed chase on a backstage TV with a bunch of country musicians
--Getting my necktie cut off with tin-snips by the guys in 38 Special
--Discussing the "good old days" of punk with Gang of Four principals Andy Gill and Jon King on their reunion tour
--Surreptitiously sharing a bottle Southern Comfort with Lemmy (Moterhead) during a trade show autograph session
--Getting sued by Brian Wilson (actually, by his guru Dr. Landy) for my company using his image without permission
--Hanging out for an hour with Lou Reed and his then-wife Sylvia in hotel room, discussing an endorsement while he ironed his shirts.
--Drinking post-gig champagne with Herbie Hancock
--An afternoon golfing with Vinnie Paul and Rexx from Pantera
--Booking a gig with Spinal Tap in 2000, hanging out for the day with Harry Shearer, Michael McKean, and Christopher Guest, both in and out of the Spinal Tap personas.
This was a dream gig for several years. Of course, everything gets old eventually (including me...).
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22-02-2005 11:51
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