CELEBRITIES

Chaka khan

Backstage @ the blue note 2008

Chaka was doing a weeks worth of shows at the legendary Blue Note club in the east village of NYC. I had tickets for the first show and third show of the five. Now if you've never been to the Blue Note, it's a really small place. The tables in front are practically part of the stage and artists can spit on you (accidentally or on purpose). I had a table in front of the stage both nights, in addition to backstage passes.  

First show was amazing as usual for Chaka. After the near flawless performance I met her backstage and gave her a cd of my original music. I never thought she would listen to it or even like it for that matter. Well not only did she listen to it, she described it as "funky" and proceeded to pull me up on stage to sing a chorus of  her classic "Tell me something good". Needless to say, I almost shit myself onstage. I love you Chaka xo

George Michael

Tower Records on Sunset 2005

Me and my boy Alex were digging through the bargain bins at Tower records and there he was! We were both really big fans and owned all his music. I tapped Alex on the shoulder and whispered "Holy fuck, behind me it's George Michael!" We introduced ourselves, got an autograph and picture. He couldn't have been nicer. Before parting I asked him what his favorite Aretha Franklin album was. We both agreed on the incredible Curtis Mayfield produced "Sparkle". RIP George, you were a generational talent that will never be forgotten.  

STEVIE NICKS

Backstage at Jones Beach around 2010.

This was my favorite celebrity encounter. I was with a large group of Stevie fanatics, so it took me a bit to find my way to the backstage area. A security guard escorts me to her dressing room. As I'm about to open the door I hear "Move This" by the band Technotronic playing in the background. I open the door and see Stevie. She doesn't say hello or ask who I am... No. She proceeds to grab hold of my hands and says to me "I want to dance". Right about now, I am in complete and utter shock so I obediently comply with her wishes. When Stevie Nicks wants to dance, you dance now and ask questions later. So there we are, spinning around next to the crafts table (which had no bread), when I blurted out "Are you on the Atkins diet?" She said, "Yes, how did you know and where did you get that fabulous necklace?"   

Long story short, I was performing in New Orleans and after my set, I was approached by a very old and eccentric looking woman. A "Gypsy" so to speak... She hobbled towards me, placed a necklace in my hand and said "Don't ever stop what you're doing. It's your time to have this". At first, I was kind of creeped out with the whole thing, but after having it for many years, it's clear there is definitely something special about it. A positive, mystical energy that Stevie (and in a totally separate incident, Cher) immediately recognized.  

I told both divas the same gypsy story and they were equally blown away. They had to try it on and even joked about not giving it back. I told them both respectively, "I love you but it just isn't time for me to pass it on".  

 

Golden Girl Rue Mclanahan

Her 70th Birthday party

It's really all about the random hand wearing a blue hat and lurking in the background of this pic... She was such an amazing woman, and I was kind of nervous meeting her. The proverbial ice was broken when I politely asked, "need a refill hun". She quickly made eye contact and enthusiastically said, "Well I do believe you may have read my mind" We introduced ourselves; I smiled at her and said, "Don't get too excited, it's open bar and you're buying babe " the rest they say is Crawford legacy.   

My best friend took this picture without either of us knowing. The nosey prick couldn't get over how we were getting on and just had to sneak the picture. After taking the shot, he looked at me in wonder and whispered, "The bitch hasn't left your side all night". And he was absolutely right! We chatted about everything from family to movies. Carrying on like friends who'd known each other for 20 years.  

All in all, it was about half an hour of unimaginable, uninterrupted bliss. I was just about to offer her another free drink when some queen with a clipboard swooped in and pulled her away. I never saw her again but forever in my heart and mind is look she is giving me. Does she want to fuck me or kill me? RIP Blanche... You were loved.

JONI MITCHELL

And no, that's not Rosie O'Donnell lurking over my shoulder… But yes, that is Joni Mitchell with her arm around me! 

This photo was taken at “A Day in the Garden” festival. It was held on the same grounds in Bethel NY, as Woodstock in 1969. Joni never made it to Woodstock due to a prior booking with The Dick Cavatt show. She did however immortalize the sentiment in her legendary composition bearing it's name.  

So I'm backstage at the event and the lights start to dim. I walk about twenty feet, grab a wooden bar stool and sit. The lights go on and I realize I'm sitting in front of this huge soundboard and about 50 feet from center stage. I wanted to shit myself… Thank God I didn't because Joni would not have wanted to engage me as intimately as she did. I was just waiting for some 6'4 300 pound security guard to ask me to move. Good luck with that buddy. Christ himself would have had a hard time moving me from that spot. Lucky for me he didn't and I enjoyed an hour and a half of musical genius at it's best. There is NO ONE like Joni on this planet and there NEVER will be. She is the epitome of innovation, creativity and unapologetic artistry. 

 

Thanks to the kindness of strangers, I've met most of my musical heroes. Joni was one of the few to escape me and to say I was nervous to meet her is an understatement. I mean I almost shit myself when she walked onstage, what's gonna happen when I talk to her? I already knew what my first question would be. My favorite song is a track called “A little green” from the “Blue” album. It's about her inner turmoil regarding a career and giving her soon to be born baby up for adoption. It's all very Sophie's Choice and the song kills me. I wanted to know where her head was at when she composed that music and wrote those heartbreaking words. When I asked her she looked at me grabbed my hand and said “Ya know sometimes… things just fall into place.” I had no fucking idea what she meant and I just moved on. Come to find out, she had reunited with the little girl she gave up for adoption just a few weeks before our chat. Nobody knew and it didn't come out in the press until months later. 

 

The whole experience was surreal. In one of the pictures you can see her holding a cd of my music and a pack of cigarettes. Just the thought of her listening to one of my songs gives me the chills. She is and always will be one of the most influential singer/songwriters of any gender or genre. One of a kind… I love you Joni.