Meeting musicians is always an enjoyable experience for me because they have seriously contributed to the happiness of my life. Apart from my opinions of them formed by admiring their musical talent, I really have no idea what they will be like as people. There is a tendency to get the wrong impression of anyone in the spotlight, so interviewing in the way that I do, just conversational style, can be very revealing as to the person behind the fame. Like I would with people I meet everyday, some I connect with, some I don’t.

When Blaze walked into the Gallery for his interview I was already concerned. There was a mix-up which meant that no one was at the Gallery when he arrived. There is nothing worse than not being there when your star turns up to be interviewed! I was mortified and apologised, but it looked for all the world like I pissed him off and now I was screwed. Well, nothing could have been further from the truth. The camera went on and right from the first question Blaze was very open, very interesting, and very entertaining. I could hear his appreciation of his Midlands roots as he told his stories about growing up in the area, getting into his first band, and just plain working hard to achieve his goals. He was great and one of my favourite interviews. His passion for music and his fans really was evident. Even if you aren’t necessarily a fan of Blaze, I hope you’ll watch the interview. With the projects I am planning with MIM, Blaze’s attitude was very inspiring.

He even gave me a real-life example of a ‘Spinal Tap’ moment. When the cameras stopped rolling, we chatted a bit about fame and the odd response people have to it, Blaze saying that image takes over the real person in many cases. He told of a band that had a smoke machine on stage that went into total over-drive and none of the musicians could see what they were doing. He heard the guitarist turn to the crew backstage, and practically crying, said, “I can’t see! I can’t play! What should I do? I can’t see my fingers!” The next thing he heard was a stern voice shouting back, “Stop crying! We’re supposed to be hard!”

I’ve asked Blaze to help out on some of my projects, and I hope he says yes. In the meantime, you can see the leather jacket that he wore for the making of his first album and tour, and a t shirt, on display at the exhibit this September. He handed them to me before he left and said, “I don’t want to see them on Ebay!”

Great stuff. View a couple more photos and excerpts from the interview on our Flickr page: http://www.flickr.com/photos/memoriesinmusic/sets/72157624567459756/

Annie x

I recently received an interesting email from someone requesting information about a situation with a musician. It’s not unusual because people look at my website and see that I have contact with certain musicians and/or their management, and ask if I can help with their enquiry. I don’t mean to be unfriendly or unhelpful, but I want to say to anyone who happens on my blog or my website with enquiries about musicians: I don’t give out any information about the musicians I deal with for MIM projects. If you are looking for contacts, in my experience, you will make them if you have business they want to discuss. I know some fans are happy to give out contact information, addresses, or tell about what they know or have discovered after talking to whoever about whatever, I’m not. Aside from the fact that I have been asked specifically by some contacts not to do this, I wouldn’t anyway. This response from me prompted the rather surprised and slightly annoyed question, “What kind of fan are you?!”

Well, that’s a legitimate question. What kind of fan am I? It’s maybe easier to say what kind of fan I am not. First of all, I am not a ‘reporter-type’ fan. I am not going to be digging for information on musicians and then publishing it on this site. The only things I want to write about here are things associated with MIM activities, and very occasionally, about something the musicians themselves are currently talking about or doing and are happy for it to be in the public domain. I’m not looking to be the breaking news site, again unless it is MIM-related. I had one person say to that, “That’s because you don’t know anything.” Well, you reckon? OK then, no need to come ask me any more then. Easy.

I am not a ‘hint, hint, hint-type’ fan. I’m not going to be the one who gives heavy hints about what I know but in the end just can’t reveal, or can only say stuff like, “My sources/contacts/people say big news is coming,” or “I’ve heard the most amazing news about so and so, but I just can’t tell you.” In truth I don’t understand this anyway. If it cannot or should not be revealed, why say anything at all? Why even hint about it? I have my theories as to why some engage in this behaviour, but you don’t need my theories. You decide why.

I am not a ‘tell-all/gossip-type’ fan. I am not going to write every last detail of every conversation or email, or endlessly speculate. I don’t think everything is necessarily bad from the ‘tell-all/gossip’ camp, it’s just that I don’t want to be the person that had a conversation with a musician and then they go on my site to read about the MIM charity updates and see what they were wearing, drinking, eating, how they moved, every word of what they said, who they were with, or have to endure gossip about their private lives or situations…you know, a huge load of too much. It amazes me that some fans speak with such authority about people they have met casually 25 years ago, or never met at all – in truth people they don’t know a thing about. But if you do happen to know or work with anyone famous, you surely understand discretion is much appreciated by those whose every move is hounded and written about. If you want to do them a good turn, realise some things are inappropriate to reveal or discuss. Not always wrong, but often not expedient. Inappropriateness is defined differently by everyone; but for me it mostly means: Shut up about stuff Annie. How will this make me look to the people I am talking about? How will it make them feel?

So, what kind of fan am I… a fan that wants musicians and people associated with them to feel extremely comfortable working on charity activities I organise. To me, that means I cannot be any of the above. Erring on the side of caution works for me, and I have seen that it works for them as well. At the end of the day though, it comes to this – I have to look at myself in the mirror and be happy. Being so cautious seems to irk some fans, and I am sorry for that. But I have to sleep at night.

If you are a reporter-type fan, a hinting around-type fan, a tell-all/gossip-type fan, and that works for you, OK. I’m not telling you what to do by any means. I thought about what kind of fan I am, and what kind I wanted to be, and you know, I’m just sayin’… maybe you should think about it too.

Annie x

On Thursday morning my taxi pulled up outside a little nondescript building in London. Up a flight of stairs and I was in a lovely loft studio. No one was there, but it was easy to see I was in the right place – there were several drum kits by the door, and on a bookshelf, copies of a book by Nick Mason.

It was hard to believe I was about to be filmed talking to a Pink Floyd legend, but then Trev and Jon arrived to set up the cameras, and while they did, in he walked. He told me he was in a good mood today when he shook my hand. That’s nice to hear!

I am not a professional interviewer by any means, so really these films are just me, a fan, chatting. I just let the conversation flow as it will. Nick was fun giving me his best Birmingham accent as we started. He actually grew up in London, but when you hear his best Brum talk, you’re in no doubt he’s from there!

We had a nice half an hour talk sitting there amongst the drums. The kit he was sitting behind had just been delivered by Ferrari, and it was huge. It’s the first time I have ever sat behind a drum kit and it’s quite impressive. I don’t know anything about drums, which you will see on the film when it gets posted. Sitting there made me think what it would be like to sit there in front of a huge crowd playing. I could barely see over them!

A lot of the most interesting bits of conversations I’ve had happen when the film stops rolling. I guess because famous people are naturally cautious in interviews (and judging by the way things get taken way out of context or blown out of all proportion it isn’t surprising). While we were taking everything down, he chatted to us about his business and his motor racing and the plans for my company! Cool.

It was a great day, and I even got to have a fan girl moment when I left. I hugged Nick and thanked him for all the joy he’s given me with his music, and he kissed me on the cheek. OK, OK, to all of you now rolling your eyeballs – sorry. But it was a great moment for me. When ever I listen to Pink Floyd from now on, I have this great memory to go along with it. Musicians are special people, and I am having a great time meeting them.

If you’ve got some memories to share, send them in. Fans will definitely enjoy reading them and seeing any photos you have. In the meantime, I will keep sharing mine. If you want to see bigger pictures, go to the MIM Flickr page: http://www.flickr.com/photos/memoriesinmusic/sets/72157624254085336/

Annie x

This Thursday I spent the afternoon filming interviews for the upcoming Musicians of the Midlands exhibit in Birmingham. It’s always a lot of fun talking to musicians, but this was even more special because we were invited to film at the home of Fairport Convention’s esteemed violin player, Ric Sanders.

Travelling into the lovely village where Ric lives, I got a bit concerned I may have missed a turn because I didn’t see a house name at first. I am terrible with directions, and I was a bit nervous to travel down this narrow track to the cottage at the end in case I was in the wrong place. I’d have to back out and that looked daunting. Well, there was nothing for it but to check as this was the right street according to Darlene (my sat nav). I knew I was in the right place when Ric appeared in the drive – playing! How awesome to be serenaded a welcome to the house.

It was a ‘picture postcard pretty’ cottage, and because the weather was warm and sunny, Jon filmed us on the porch of a summer house at the bottom of the garden. You couldn’t ask for a more idyllic setting. Ric is awesome and great to talk to – the interview went on for an entire hour but it felt more like five minutes. It is such a privilege to spend time with musicians, and Ric is the type of guy you could happily talk to for a lifetime and never have a dull moment. I’m really grateful to Jon at Scadge Productions for donating his time and all the equipment to film these interviews, especially as all he gets is a meal and has to listen to me endlessly squealing with excitement. Sorry Jon.

I’ve been asking musicians what song they would like fans of the future to hear that they felt represented them best. Ric picked Rose Hip, which I knew from his Still Waters album. Much to my surprise he went to get his violin and played it on the film for me. Gosh… that was just wonderful!

We then called round at his local pub for a bite to eat (and even more chatting!), and Dave Pegg turned up. We sat outside in the sunshine for a bit and Dave entertained us with his awesome stories – like how he actually made it through the traffic to get on stage in time for his slot at the Bath Festival in 1970 and other cool memories. He’s a lot of fun, always laughing – an instant party in a person! I interviewed him on the porch of the summer house too, and because he brought the item with him that he was loaning for the exhibit, he talked about it on the film. It’s a special bass guitar that was made for him as a birthday gift. He ended his interview by asking, “Can I go to the loo now?” LOL!

So now I have some great new memories to share with fans; and Dave Pegg’s bass guitar, and one of Ric Sander’s violins residing in my bedroom. Running Memories in Music – not just a job, an adventure!

This week there will be another instalment to the adventure. A member of Pink Floyd has granted me a filmed interview in London. That’s very exciting! The projects I am working on with my fellow MIM volunteers are really moving ahead too, and I can’t wait to report on those when I am able. Any music fans out there who want to help, you are welcome! I only ask: 1. That you love music; 2. You respect the musicians in word and deed; and 3. You want to benefit charity. Visit here to see what you can do: http://memoriesinmusic.com/getinvolved.html There’s nothing like spreading the joy that music brings!!!

Annie x

I am happy to welcome the first guy to our Fanfare List in support of Task Brasil’s Casa Jimmy!!! Jimmy Page fan Kevin Jackson in London signed on this weekend to regularly support the home Jimmy funded for the street children in Rio. Awesome! Thanks Kevin! You get the honorary title: “First Man of the Fanfare List.”

Sales in the Memories in Music Gift Shop have also earned funds for our charities. We’re grateful, so thanks if you are one of our shoppers! New items will be added this month, and we have some contests in the making for musician’s charities too. If you want to help our charity projects, drop in on our website to see what you can do.

It’s always great when people respond to a project that is dear to your heart, especially when the project honours someone you admire and benefits charity. I feel really blessed that Memories in Music in the Midlands has been receiving support from musicians as well as people in the music industry, and businesses who would like to help out. Fans have been getting involved as well, so there will be a variety of great things on the display in the Gallery come September.

Last week I took another trip up to Birmingham. Trevor and Jon (and Laura who is working with them learning about the industry – great to meet you Laura!) have been filming me doing interviews to capture some of the memories of the people who have made music in the area, and last week we had the privilege of speaking to Carl Palmer and the amazing Albert Lee.

Carl Palmer was the first interview of the day. I interviewed Carl at the beautiful New Hall Hotel in Sutton Coldfield. I say interview, but really, it is just me chatting with the musicians taking part. I like chatting better, and to let them lead the conversation rather than me guiding it with a list of questions. I do have some, but mostly I just take my cues from them. Once we start talking, I find that I could go on and on because it’s so interesting, but I try to keep it to a 30 minutes or less format. Carl shared his memories of the music that influenced him as a kid, his first times playing drums in public, and of his days in his band Atomic Rooster. He was so much fun that even after the camera stopped rolling we went on talking about all sorts of things.

After lunch we all headed off to speak to the manager of a venue we are going to use to stage a benefit concert associated with the exhibit. An announcement about the concert will be coming soon. Then it was over to The Robin 2 in Wolverhampton to talk to Albert Lee and his assistant Sue. Sue is one of those people that I am sure many fans dream they could be – she started off volunteering her time to put together a newsletter for fans so they could hear about upcoming gigs, and ended up as Albert’s assistant. Sue is a Memories in Music Heroine, a lady who doesn’t seek praise, isn’t interested in using her position to lord it over other fans, just a sweet lady who genuinely wants to do good for the musician she admired. I really loved meeting her and filming some of her memories. More like Sue in the fan world please!

Filming Albert I found the most daunting, probably because he is just so amazing, a real living legend. He’s played with Buddy Holly, The Everly Brothers, Eric Clapton, and has 2 Grammys. I’ve been listening to him play for a long time, and when the camera started rolling I made the mistake of looking at him before I opened my mouth and thinking, ‘Oh my God that’s Albert Lee!’ I had to start over and still I was nervous. But I settled in (I think) and had a fun time talking to him. The venue was really dark and we had these huge bright lights on us which didn’t help my nerves. It’s hard to believe I was sitting in the middle of band set-up talking to Albert about bombs dropping near his home during the war and record shopping with Jimmy Page…. Fun times!

I was invited to stay for the concert, and it was smashing. I love intimate venues where the crowd knows the music, the musicians have a connection to the audience, and everyone is having fun. I got to see Albert play Country Boy! I hung around until the wee hours meeting people and sharing music memories with them. A really fun day.

Saturday started off with shopping in the Bull Ring, and finished in a meeting with another of my favourite musicians, singer/songwriter Deborah Bonham. Deborah and her managers had lunch with me to talk over the exhibit and after talking to me about the whole concept of the exhibit and the company, they are all prepared to help. Deb is a really lovely, warm person. I’m excited to work with her on this exhibit, and hopefully put together an event for her charity that rescues horses from the terrible fates that can befall them when they are no longer able to race. We had a good laugh talking about all sorts, including some of our more eye opening Zeppelin-related experiences. Both of her managers are super as well, and I could have talked to them all day long. How many times do you leave a meeting with lovely balloons as a gift from a manager? I’m guessing not many, but I did! It’s great just to meet all these people, never mind knowing that you have their support as well.

So that’s the update. More filmed interviews are being scheduled later this month, and the ones that have been filmed will show up on the website in due course. If you want to take part in this exhibit, drop us a line. You’ll be in good company and who knows – you might just get a balloon too!

While at the Fairport Convention gig in the Birmingham Town Hall, I met another of the musicians that have kindly agreed to take part in our charity exhibit, Steve Gibbons. Steve was backstage chatting to Simon Nichol, and I was able to introduce myself. It’s really great to meet people that have made music you know. It’s an adventure too, wondering if your image of them from hearing their music will be what greets you. Steve was very nice and helpful as well, offering his advice on a benefit show we are planning to stage during the exhibit. I’m arranging to do a filmed interview with him which I am sure will be really interesting as Steve’s career has spanned a number of decades.

Growing up in the USA, I was made aware of Steve by a friend of mine who knew The Steve Gibbons Band primarily as the opening act for bands like The Who, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and The J Geils Band; and for the albums, ‘Any Road Up’ and ‘Rollin’ On.’ But there’s lots more to know about Steve’s career than just those things.

Steve was born in Harborne, Birmingham, and reportedly was all set to become a plumber. Instead, he joined a group called The Dominettes in 1960 and began playing in the pubs and clubs around Birmingham. The group changed its name to The Uglys, and recorded a single called ‘Wake Up My Mind.’ This song was unlike most of the songs of the period with lyrics like:

Somewhere there’s hunger, somewhere there’s war
But I can do nothing so I’ll just ignore
The cruelty around me, pretending I’m blind
In case I start thinking and Wake Up My Mind.

And the days break and the nights fall and drift into time

I read in the papers, a policeman shot down
Two negros in cold blood in some racial town
And I’m having a new car but I don’t know what kind
But one of these days I will Wake Up My Mind.

Quite heavy-duty for the mid 60s. The next band Steve became a member of was Balls, along with Trevor Burton, Denny Laine, and drummer Keith Smart. Steve left the band after a short period, and moved to Idle Race, which eventually became The Steve Gibbons Band. Spotted by the manager of The Who, this is what led to Steve recording his album ‘Any Road Up,’ and to his work touring with the The Who and other bands.

Steve has recorded nine albums, and still tours with his band. He also plays in the Brum Rocks Live shows along with Trevor Burton and Bev Bevan, two other artists who are taking part in our Midlands exhibit. Be sure to check out the music of this inspiring Midlands artist! His gigs are listed on his website here:
http://www.stevegibbonsband.com/

Memories in Music had a very exciting weekend in Birmingham March 6th and 7th. We met some great folks who are willing to help with the charity exhibit, did a couple of interviews with local musicians, and attended The Fairport Convention show at the Birmingham Town Hall as guests of Fairport’s illustrious violin player, Ric Sanders.

The weekend started in St Pauls Gallery, where Symon Bland was kind enough to allow us to use the Gallery as the interview venue. I wanted to get Symon in an interview too, but he somehow escaped! I’ll get you next time Symon!

Musician Joe Digman was the first interview. Joe is a drummer, and his bands, Light Fantastic and Sight and Sound, opened for the bands Sweet, Mudd, and Showwaddywaddy. The Sweet even played at Joe’s wedding. He had some great stories to tell about exploding pyrotechnics blowing tiles off the ceilings of working men’s clubs, pushing his drum kit to pubs in a pram, and playing in local skiffle bands. We had an extra treat when Joe picked up some drumsticks and played the drum kit that is currently on display in the Gallery, once owned by the drummer of T Rex.

The other interview of the day was Jem Brent, who has starred in musicals such as 42nd Street, Rocky Horror, and Starlight Express. Jem shared his stage experiences being understudy for an entire cast plus learning a whole script in German, and being Cookie Monster on wheels. There are fascinating musicians in the Midlands! All the fun was captured on film by Trevor and Jon from Scadge Studios, who are kindly donating their time and film to record these interviews. I am very grateful to them. I’ve got to get them in front of the camera soon…

Later that evening I arrived at the Birmingham Town Hall and was ushered backstage to meet Ric in his dressing room before the show. It’s the first time I have seen him play live, although I have been listening to him play with Fairport, and his own Ric Sanders Group, for a number of years. He’s such a lovely guy. I wished that we’d had the camera there right then to start recording the interview, as I enjoyed chatting to him so much. We’ve arranged to catch up for the filmed interview when he comes back from a quickie tour later on this month. I’m really looking forward to that!

Ric introduced me to some great folks after the show who are willing to contribute to the exhibit in various ways – sharing memories, making contacts with musicians, and sharing their own memories on the website. Meeting Steve from a radio station in Wolverhampton was fortunate, as I hope to be able to spread word of the exhibit to fans of area musicians to see if they might loan us their memorabilia. I love fan items – they are what I had access to see when I was a kid and the memory of how exciting I found it all never wore off.

Dave Pegg (bass player for Fairport) was a lot of fun to meet. He’s going to allow me to film an interview with him, is going to loan me some items from his personal collection, and has already started networking for me – and believe me, you don’t have a clue what networking is unless you’ve had Dave Pegg networking on your behalf! Trust me on this.

So not only did I walk away from the Town Hall on a cloud from all the great music, I also went out with some great new friends and a pocket full of telephone numbers. It’s going to be a great exhibit!

The first of the interviews will be up as soon as Trev can polish them up, and more will be recorded on March 18th. Stay tuned!

Music fans! Memories in Music is looking for your help to raise money for musician’s charities in 2010. There are a number of ways you can help, and I hope that as many fans as possible will decide to take part this new year.

Fans are often a forgotten element in the music industry. When musicians are awarded for their achievements, the fans don’t usually get invited as guests. Fans are not often quoted for articles in magazines or newspapers about musicians they admire. Fans do have a voice when it comes to sales and voting in certain polls and awards, but not many seek us out to tell our stories and experiences in music. Memories in Music is a chance for you to be heard. We are looking for your stories about concerts, meeting musicians, your photographs, and your memorabilia – tell us what you have, how you started collecting it; tell us a concert experience; donate some memorabilia to the fan collection we are starting. By helping us, you will become part of the legacy of your favourite musicians, and you will benefit charity too. Everyone wins!

Even if you have none of the above, are you a music connoisseur? Do you know your stuff about a particular band or musician? Have an awesome music collection? We’d love to have you share your knowledge by writing an article for our website.

Do you play an instrument? Send us a video and we’ll share it with fans.

Run a fan-based unofficial website? Let us know where it is, how it got started, and we’ll feature it.

Do you have a bit of spare pocket change each month? A dollar a week? 50p a week? How about putting it to a very good use by donating it to the chosen charity of your favourite musician? Our Fanfare project has a great group of Jimmy Page fans contributing monthly to his home in Brazil for abandoned street children, Casa Jimmy, and we are looking for more of his fans to contribute! How about creating a Fanfare group for another musician? Let us know who and we will get the giving going! 50p a week might not seem a lot, but if we get hundreds of fans giving 50p a week, can you imagine what could be done for charity?

I hear a lot of criticism of fans. Some is not justified, but some is. It is noticeable that some fans spend inordinate amounts of time on the web posting frivolous things, and sometimes things that are damaging or embarrassing to musicians. Even if the posts are good, so much of it is only found on highly specified websites of one particular band/style of music, and that is a shame because this limits the influence your knowledge can have on other music fans. If you spend a lot time on the web talking about musicians, why not give a little of that time, or a little of your money to help others? I guarantee you that is the way to be noticed by the musicians you admire. Helping a cause in their honour is a special thing that will make them proud!

Most of what happens in the fan world rarely benefits charity, but it so easily could! Memories in Music is striving to be a place where all types of music fans can come together to benefit musician’s charities and encourage each other to explore new music that maybe they would not have done on their own. When I started this non-profit, I heard a number of people say how much they wanted to do things for charity in honour of their favourite musicians. Many said they were eager to contribute to charity events and exhibits, to help if only they had a place that was dedicated to this purpose. Well, here we are! It’s never been done in quite this way before. I am confident the fans who join us will make the legacy of musicians richer and be a force to help those in need. Besides all that, it’s great fun!

Be a difference in 2010! Visit the website and get involved.

On Tuesday evening December 15th, Memories in Music was fortunate enough to be at the premier of the Davis Guggenheim film ‘It Might Get Loud’ featuring Jimmy Page, Jack White, and The Edge. We had 14 VIP guests there, all looking fabulous ready to walk the red carpet and enjoy the film. Some of our guests were contest winners who generously supported Task Brasil by entering to win the tickets. We appreciate all the entrants! One guest in a particular, a lovely Jimmy fan called Alissa, donated an extra sum after she won her ticket. These are the kinds of lovely people Memories in Music is honoured to know! Thanks Alissa.

There was a terrible mix up with the guest lists on the night. Confusion reigned as people’s names were not appearing, and everyone was getting irritated standing in the cold while things were sorted out. After some phone calls, all my guests made their grand entry looking awesome! Unfortunately, that was the last time I saw most of them. Two of my guests were late, and I had to remain outside to wait for them as they couldn’t get in without the ticket I had to give them.

Still, being outside and chatting to security had its benefits, as I was in a prime position to watch Mr Page arrive. A flurry of activity clearing the street and putting up extra barriers heralded his imminent arrival. When his car pulled up, everyone was carefully watching the door by the red carpet, but he got out on the other side of the car, much to the delight of the fans on the “wrong” side of the street! One of them was thrilled to pieces to be able to shake his hand, and everyone cheered at him. He was on his own and looking happy, relaxed, and wonderful – as always! He walked right past me and the security let me stand just 2 feet away from him to watch him being interviewed. I couldn’t hear what was said, but just seeing the whole thing happening with no one in front of me was great!

I happened to look up the red carpet just as Jimmy was turning to enter the building, and saw our fabulous Patron Zacron at the door waiting to welcome Jimmy into the premier. I couldn’t join him however as I was still having to wait for my (now very late) guests.

I was allowed to go up the red carpet to warm myself in the building, and waited by the door watching the people entering. Scott Gorham had come in, and Bernie Marsden. Eventually I heard from my guests. I went back down the red carpet to fetch them, and then back up again with them. I think I walked on the red carpet more than anyone else at the premier! People watched me and whispered about who I was. I thought how fun it was being thought of as ’somebody.’ As it turned out though, this wasn’t to be the most impressive thing of the night.

Once in the building I was escorted to the private VIP area. It was wonderful to be able to speak to Mr Guggenheim, and also to Jimmy. There were only a few people up there before the movie started, so the conversations were relaxed and no one had to shout above a lot of noise. Jimmy is a perfect gentleman and wonderful to engage in conversation. It was nice to see him and Zacron having a laugh and catching up.

The movie went by as a bit of a blur for me. Being honest, I have to say that it was only Jimmy’s parts that really captured my attention fully. I am sure though that fans of Edge and Jack White will be equally pleased with their parts. The crowd enjoyed it, as was obvious from their response.

After the film back in the VIP suite, a few more people appeared than had been there previously. Not many more though. It was an interesting place to be, and I tried to take in as much as I could just from an observation standpoint. Jimmy was so gracious. Only a few people photographed him, most of us just chatted to him and the others in the room. Even when you aren’t talking to him, watching his lovely manner with people is every bit as entertaining. It has also been entertaining reading what people wrote about it afterwards. People who weren’t there making it seem like they were is eye-opening. You discover things about people that maybe you wished you didn’t. Like watching this phenomenon: Every once in a while, the door would open, and some forlorn soul looking desperately for a way in would appear, before the door was unceremoniously closed on them. I watched this with interest and a large dose of embarrassment. Why on earth people would put themselves through the humiliation of being turned away is beyond me. Far better to NOT be seen doing this I would have thought.

I was unhappy with one thing – the lack of true hospitality to one of Jimmy Page’s stature. They were handing out cans of Pringles to eat along with the drinks. Yes, cans of Pringles. Pringles?? That is the best you can do for Jimmy Page? Wow. At one point I almost went to ask him if I could get him anything to eat, or even if I could get him a fresh glass of water, but it wasn’t my event so I refrained. Still, you learn a lot watching these things, and I learned a great deal. I did enjoy the company in the room, and the crew representing Planet Rock stand out as being just super. I enjoyed chatting to them a lot.

Jimmy stayed for a really long time. It was around midnight when he left. He came to every person he had spoken to saying goodnight, calling them by name even if he hadn’t known of them previously. He is truly awesome. Spending time with him and observing his lovely manner with people makes me realise that it is only the jealous, the self-seeking, and the downright nasty, that would talk trash of any description concerning him. All the dazzle of walking the red carpet, talking to the famous, being seen in a VIP area, all paled into comparison to just watching him and how he treated people. That was the real highlight of the night and the one thing I will always be grateful I got to observe. More people like him in the world would make it a better place.

Jimmy Page is truly deserving of a red carpet, and not just for the reasons you might think.